Jim's Beer Kit

Your hydrometer should be marked with the correct temperature for a 1000 reading.

Older hydrometers are calibrated at 60°F, but newer ones are often at 20°C [68°F].

The "kettle" leads which you find attatched to many computers are often rated at just 5A. However, some are 13A.

If you look on the back of the plug, near the pins, it should be marked as such.

Don't use the 5A leads.

I always skim the dark brown stuff off the top. Often it'll get stuck to the underside of the lid of the fermenting bin, anyway.

It's a pig to get off, once it's dry. A bit like wallpaper!

Start off with a small drill bit. About 1.5mm should do. Any smaller and you risk snapping it. Use a very low speed on a cordless drill, if possible. A little oil or even WD40 on the tip of the bit will keep it sharp and stop it overheating. If you have a selection of drill bits, you can drill conse...

On the same BeS webpage as your 16656, scroll down to 18637 2.1⁄4" brass flat tank Essex flange.

£26.97 is a bit steep, though.

I just used a 1½in qmax sheet metal punch on my 100L stainless stockpot, after reading about them on this forum. It'll go through the cheapo stainless in about 30 seconds. Drilling the pilot hole takes longer. You'll also need a 5/16in allen key. IIRC, the qmax can cut through s/s up to 1.6mm. I go...

Whitbread hasn't brewed any beer for about 9 or 10 years. They now own hotels and restraunt chains.

They did own a chain called Pasta Bella for a while, which might have something to do with it.

It was a poor investment though, and was sold off in 2002....