Jim's Beer Kit

Confused! Why does it say 'cider' on the bottles? Is it already fermented? I thought you made your own.

Guy

You can also buy one like this that that gives you the wort original gravity as well as Brix. https://www.amazon.co.uk/AUTOUTLET-Refractometer-Aluminum-Specific-10%C2%B0C-30%C2%B0C/dp/B07CCH49DY/ref=sr_1_4?c=ts&keywords=Refractometers&qid=1688380280&s=kitchen&sr=1-4&ts_id=3579771031&th=1 Remember t...

This is as good as any, if you want a hand held one. You'll need to convert the Brix reading to gravity. Plenty of on-line converters available. For a quick 'rough' conversion, multiply the Brix by 4.

If you fancy spending a bit more, then a digital refractometer is worth getting.

Guy

Hi. When you say the gravity was lower after the boil, do you mean you measured the gravity in the kettle before running the wort off?

Or do you mean the gravity dropped after running the wort from the kettle and after you'd sparged and squeezed the hops?

Guy

I would not bother with either. It does not need digital accuracy. Gycol is actually a less effective coolant (it's antifreeze qualities is why it is used) Those bits ain't broke, don't fix them until they are. Or.. Just don't waste money you could spend on beer. 😂😂👍🏻 Any fridge repairer will regas...

Hi.

I think there's an impeller in the ice bath to stop it freezing solid. It could be that which is causing the banging noise. Perhaps, if the impeller isn't working, the whole unit won't work. Some sort of safety thing, perhaps?

Others will know more.

Guy

Insulation? Silver backed mats cut to shape and size. Double layer. I think they're yoga mats, but not sure.

Guy

Ah, the bucket of water--a different question! At the end of every fermentation I empty the water out of both the two cooling coils and attached pipes. This is so the lid of the fermenter can be taken off and cleaned. At the beginning of fermentation I need to refill the system. So I turn the pump o...

The maxi 110 is on all the time, so there's always an ice bath. The pump comes on as needed, with ice cold water immediately available. happy to answer any questions you might have. Guy Guy, Can I ask why the ice bath? Was the chiller not able to keep up? Or is it "quicker with a buffer tank". Look...

It's a wonderful thread to read. So much info. But, as an amateur home brewer, I think all I need to know is how to reduce my alkalinity and which salts to add on brewday--Graham's calculator helps with this.

But please keep going, PeeBee and Eric.

It's a joy to read your discussion.

Guy

Hodda wrote: ↑

Thu May 11, 2023 8:09 pm

Ok, so my flojet has a kettle type lead that plugs into and gets power from chiller.

Can I chop off the kettle end, fit a plug and then have it controlled independently via inkbird?

Any chance of a couple of photos, please? I'm not quite following what you're asking.

Guy

Hi Hodda

Don't know if this will help, but this is how I do it.

The maxi 110 is on all the time, so there's always an ice bath. The pump comes on as needed, with ice cold water immediately available.

happy to answer any questions you might have.

Guy

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Nice looking recipe. Where would you get the Flyer hops from? My guess is any good base malt would do. Thomas Fawcett's as good as any. As PeeBee suggests, you might want to replace the Caramalt. It could give too heavy a taste/feel to the finished beer. But it might be fine. I'm sure the people at ...

I'm assuming you mean a chest freezer. I have one that is 900 wide, 550 deep and 840 tall, and I've added a 200 tall collar to it. It fits 5 slim AEB kegs - 3 on the floor and two on the hump (one is partly on the hump and needs support under it), or instead of the 2nd keg on the hump I can fit in ...

MashBag wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:05 am

All tested according to type and instructions at very least.

The testing was for the effectiveness of the end to end process, not ability to sanitise.

So, what was the point? Water's cheap, fast and easy to use, but not much good at sanitising.

Guy