Jim's Beer Kit

This is what I am doing, using the Maxi python pump to send chilled fluid round the fermenter, but you will need to replace the Maxi's built in ice bank thermostat. The supplied 'stat is very simple, it actually just measures water resistance - which increases when ice forms, so the suppled 'stat ca...

I completely agree about the insulating jacket. At the moment I'm using a piece of carpet underlay, cut to a precise fit and does a job, but just wouldn't look good here! In my first photo there's a piece of masking tape that was intended to redirect condensation away from the control unit. On later...

In case it's of any help, here's a schematic (drawn up by a talented friend of mine) of how I use my Maxi 110 to control the fermentation temperature in the fermenter. and here is my adaptation of that graphic, I hope Guy doesn't mind the travesty. I thought it would help for comparison purposes, b...

I just looked up the GF conical...££££ :shock: maybe don't look up the cost of the Grainfather glycol chiller then? ...££££££££ - but it will chill 4 of those fermenter's :D. That's far too much hobby even for me. Yes the Grainfather things have a price tag, for the most part I think them worth it ...

oops, hope that's better now

This sort of thing has been done a bunch of times before, I know, because this build is based on information I've gleaned from these forums. Hopefully some of the info below will be a useful reference for anyone else wanting to hook up a Maxi110 to a Grainfather Conical Fermenter. I think the ballpa...

I’m at risk of lightning up an old thread here, but what the heck, I’m back at work tomorrow. :) Simple invert sugar in the UK is basically Lyles Golden syrup isn’t it? (As paulg mentioned in his second post). Does the addition of molasses hint at a US style beer? If so then I cannot add any knowled...

I’ve a friend waiting on my next brew to use the spent grain as a medium to try and grow mushrooms. Too early to know how that’ll work out, but I like the idea

Not sure that I can add much to the previous posts, except to say that I’ve done iodine tests on mashes at 15, 30 & 50min intervals, just out of interest. There was more of a blue-black colour (more starch present) at 30 mins than at 50 mins. Personally I am brewing for fun and interest rather than ...