First AG Day
-
Western Brewer
Finished. Ok confession time, ran the water off into the mash tun went back in the house (mashing done in the garage) to get the grain back to garage poured the first lot of grain into the boiler instead of the mash tun, what an idiot 
Never seen me move so quick to get a sieve to get the grain back out. Wasn't sure what would happen if I poured all the water in to the mash tun. Otherwise all went pretty well. Didn't collect enough wort during sparging however and after run off only ended out with about 3 1/2 gallons but as it's only me drinking it, it just means I can try a different brew quicker. I plan to do 2 1/2 gallon batches anyway.
It's not really that much of a Summer Lightning clone as I didn't have Optic malt only Maris Otter Pale malt but otherwise followed Daabs (cheers mate) reciepe. Couldn't get over to Cheers to get Optic so got the malt from Farnborough HB. Enjoyed it very much will rty something a bit harder i.e. more types of grain next.
I'm hooked
Anyway I must give a BIG BIG thank you to you all for putting up with my daft questions (of which there's a few more at the end) and for all the encouragement.
How long will crushed malt keep and the same for hops. BTW one lot of hops seemed to be vacuum packed and the others weren't, both from Brupaks any ideas why? They smelt great however and whilst boiling my mouth was watering. Sarah MBH said 'Pooh what's that smell' Women eh?
Never seen me move so quick to get a sieve to get the grain back out. Wasn't sure what would happen if I poured all the water in to the mash tun. Otherwise all went pretty well. Didn't collect enough wort during sparging however and after run off only ended out with about 3 1/2 gallons but as it's only me drinking it, it just means I can try a different brew quicker. I plan to do 2 1/2 gallon batches anyway.It's not really that much of a Summer Lightning clone as I didn't have Optic malt only Maris Otter Pale malt but otherwise followed Daabs (cheers mate) reciepe. Couldn't get over to Cheers to get Optic so got the malt from Farnborough HB. Enjoyed it very much will rty something a bit harder i.e. more types of grain next.
I'm hooked
Anyway I must give a BIG BIG thank you to you all for putting up with my daft questions (of which there's a few more at the end) and for all the encouragement.
How long will crushed malt keep and the same for hops. BTW one lot of hops seemed to be vacuum packed and the others weren't, both from Brupaks any ideas why? They smelt great however and whilst boiling my mouth was watering. Sarah MBH said 'Pooh what's that smell' Women eh?
-
BlightyBrewer
-
Western Brewer
-
Bigster
Well done WB and thanks for the pics - glad old tiny tim electrim didnt let you down. Start planning the next one
Looks and sounds a very accomplished first attempt.
As BB says you will make mistakes - today I gave my latest brew a good rousing introducing loads of oxygen as it looked a bit froth less (assuming there was plenty left to ferment) then found out it was down to 1.012.
That will have done it some good :rolleyes:
Looks and sounds a very accomplished first attempt.
As BB says you will make mistakes - today I gave my latest brew a good rousing introducing loads of oxygen as it looked a bit froth less (assuming there was plenty left to ferment) then found out it was down to 1.012.
That will have done it some good :rolleyes:
-
jasonaustin
Nice one WB.
Regarding elements and the boil: if you make sure the element is completely clean and bright, as DaaB has already said, you shouldn't have any problems, but there are maybe a couple of other things you can do in addition. You could get a kettle lead and plug straight into the back of the element, thereby avoiding the thermostat nuisance. I don't know what shape connector is on an Electrim - http://www.accesscomms.com.au/reference/IEC320.htm may help identify it - it's probably a C15 - make sure the lead is rated to 13A.
Also, you can remove the safety cut-out disk from inside the element. This is the thing that turns off your kettle if you boil it dry. However, they do have a frustrating tendency to kick in when boiling for long periods of time also. (Disclaimer: they are obviously there for a reason, so I'm in no way encouraging you to do this, even though lots of people do remove them).
Regarding elements and the boil: if you make sure the element is completely clean and bright, as DaaB has already said, you shouldn't have any problems, but there are maybe a couple of other things you can do in addition. You could get a kettle lead and plug straight into the back of the element, thereby avoiding the thermostat nuisance. I don't know what shape connector is on an Electrim - http://www.accesscomms.com.au/reference/IEC320.htm may help identify it - it's probably a C15 - make sure the lead is rated to 13A.
Also, you can remove the safety cut-out disk from inside the element. This is the thing that turns off your kettle if you boil it dry. However, they do have a frustrating tendency to kick in when boiling for long periods of time also. (Disclaimer: they are obviously there for a reason, so I'm in no way encouraging you to do this, even though lots of people do remove them).
-
sagwalla
WB...what was the target OG? I agree - you're going to have some strong beer there (5.2%-ish), but, hey, nothing wrong with that.
Using the Cheers set-up, I usually aim for 20 litres in the mash tun, 20 more of sparge water, target 29.5 imperial gallons of wort (the rest held up in the grain bed), leaving about 24-26 litres after boil and racking to about 19.5 - whatever fits in a corny. The rest is hold-up volume in various vessels, and I'd rather tip a wee bit out (sacrilege) than deal with a few litres of leftover in a small demijohn or whatever.
Using the Cheers set-up, I usually aim for 20 litres in the mash tun, 20 more of sparge water, target 29.5 imperial gallons of wort (the rest held up in the grain bed), leaving about 24-26 litres after boil and racking to about 19.5 - whatever fits in a corny. The rest is hold-up volume in various vessels, and I'd rather tip a wee bit out (sacrilege) than deal with a few litres of leftover in a small demijohn or whatever.
-
Western Brewer
In think it's http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/ ... enting.jpg 
Ought to get rid of the brown crud I guess.
BTW Those who posted about my electrim and making sure the element is clean I didn't mention that it was the first time it was used. May look at modifiying it though.
Sag. Well damn! Target OG to Daabs http://www.forumforfree.com/forums/inde ... ost&p=5653 was 1050 so feel quite pleased with the result
Ought to get rid of the brown crud I guess.BTW Those who posted about my electrim and making sure the element is clean I didn't mention that it was the first time it was used. May look at modifiying it though.
Sag. Well damn! Target OG to Daabs http://www.forumforfree.com/forums/inde ... ost&p=5653 was 1050 so feel quite pleased with the result
-
Western Brewer
-
Western Brewer
Thanks Daab,
Might see if I can get some from the Hogs Back next time I brew.
I was pleased with how it went yesterday (apart from the c**k up). Can't beleive hoe good the counterflow was, think it wa slow because the hop filter may of come off the hole. It wasn't attached when I cleaned it out but not sure if it happened then or not. Must make it a better fit.
Mark
Might see if I can get some from the Hogs Back next time I brew.
I was pleased with how it went yesterday (apart from the c**k up). Can't beleive hoe good the counterflow was, think it wa slow because the hop filter may of come off the hole. It wasn't attached when I cleaned it out but not sure if it happened then or not. Must make it a better fit.
Mark