Jim's Beer Kit

Have been using electric SS boilers so far but thinking of moving over to using a gas burner so I have more control over brews. Electric plugs also getting warm! Indications are this needs to be propane, or could I use the calor gas bottle I have with my barbecue? Not got the burner yet - mainly do ...

Make some cider last autumn and one of the varieties appears not to have finished fermenting when I bottled it. Was like Vesuvius when I took the cap off and lost half the bottle before I got glass in place for the second half!

Any way of stopping this happening with remaining bottles?

Checked and smells fine - certainly no vinegary hint at all

Got several demijohns of cider on the go using different apples I have collected and pressed. Using natural yeast of apples to ferment. Pressed some coxes apples a month ago and have this floating inside. Any idea what it is? Looks like honeycomb!

I only make around 6/7 gallons of cider each year and still looking for cheap scratter option. Have tried using food processor (fine but time consuming), and breaking up with a lump of wood amongst other things Has anyone tried using one of these? If so any good or has anyone any alternative suggest...

Have a 12 litre cider press which I used for the first time last year. Always seemed a struggle to get too much pulp into one straining bag, and was thinking of getting a second bag and effectively making two "cheeses" at a time, one on top of the other, as cider preducers do, but without anything i...

Have recently acquired at stc1000, project box and greenhouse heater as recommended in the forum and got the wiring diagrams off here, to build my fermentation fridge. Seem to be a number of YouTube videos, but can't find a UK one as think this might help me put this together in next few days. Anyon...

Thanks for all your responses. it is max 3000W on label. Plug looks a bit old, but connections seem to be ok and it is just the plug that is getting warm. When I take plug out, the bottom 2 pins (live & neutral) are both pretty warm after a few minutes. Is it worth putting a new plug on? its not a m...

I have recently been given a Swan 18 litre boiler for homebrewing. It was in need of a good descale which I have done. However, whilst it heats up nicely, the plug is getting very hot which I am sure isn't right, so have stopped using. I'm no technical expert and wonder if anyone can give me an idea...

Yes its a typo error and should read 20mm and 30mm The electrics are under the boiler so the base is about 6 inches up inside. The reflection I suspect is the "boil" lever which has snapped off and need to come up with some way of being able to connect a 15mm ball valve with a hop filter inside. Dra...

Hopefully have managed to add some photos Tap - measuring the inside of the tap it is 200mm diameter. The boiler hole is 300mm wide from one side to the other if this helps with advice http://i1349.photobucket.com/albums/p747/jaquiss2005/Boilerhole_zpsd6c65975.jpg?t=1374426680 http://i1349.photobuck...

Looking to put a new ball valve and hop strainer on an old 45 litre "Corsair" boiler I have. Have unscrewed the current tap which looks like a 1 inch diameter hole, but it also has an inner and outer wall which is about 1 inch apart as well. Has an old tap on it which isn't really suitable as I see ...

I have an old coolbox which I am looking to convert to a mash tun. I'm not very practical and have seen this on e-bay, but not sure what the difference is between 1/2" BSP Thread and 15mm Copper Spout. Can someone please explain. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Viking-Ball-V ... 7b69231c2d Secondly, what ...

I find the best way to remove wort into a fermenting vessel is to put another voile / hop bag over a large sieve like a sock and pour through there - really does leave a clear liquid in the fermenter

Been reading all these threads but as someone with little experience, would welcome a definitive recipe for this one - have seen them quoting 80% Maris Otter etc, but not sure how much needs to be used. Looking to make 23 litres - can someone simplify what I need ingredient wise as it seems there ha...