Any of you guys do any special prep. to the water you're using for a brew session ?
Add anything, stand water overnight pre-brew to drive out chlorine ?
Water treatment
Everybody's water supply is likely to be a bit different, so you have to be careful; experimentation is the way to find how to get the best out of your own particular water supply. Measuring the mash pH is a good guide as to whether you're getting it right.
I mix a level teaspoon of gypsum with 5 gall then put the water through a wine filter to remove any sediment.
The filter is generally pretty brown after 8 or 9 gallons go through it, which I assume is sediment in the water supply (and I'd rather not have itin my beer!).
I then let it stand overnight before use.
I mix a level teaspoon of gypsum with 5 gall then put the water through a wine filter to remove any sediment.
The filter is generally pretty brown after 8 or 9 gallons go through it, which I assume is sediment in the water supply (and I'd rather not have itin my beer!).
I then let it stand overnight before use.
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Andy
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I think for my first brew I'll just let the liquor stand overnight before use and
not bother adding anything. Will probably note down the mash Ph as that's
easy to do. Taking copious notes all the way of course....
I can then think about water treatment for future brews depending upon the
taste and pH of brew #1.
not bother adding anything. Will probably note down the mash Ph as that's
easy to do. Taking copious notes all the way of course....
I can then think about water treatment for future brews depending upon the
taste and pH of brew #1.
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sagwalla
I have been boiling the night before (if I remember), then cooling, then reheating (as required) as I'm trying to do early morning brews these days to take advantage of daylight at cleanup time.
I also put in a couple mls of lactic acid for the mash about about 5ml for the sparge. I put CaSO4 and MgSO4 in the grist. All as recommended by Richard at Cheers.
I also put in a couple mls of lactic acid for the mash about about 5ml for the sparge. I put CaSO4 and MgSO4 in the grist. All as recommended by Richard at Cheers.
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BlightyBrewer
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BlightyBrewer
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Road Runner
For my last few brews, I've been running my water through a water jug filter. Like the "Brita" type. Just to experiment if it made a difference to normal tap water.
I was amazed at the improvement to the taste of my beer. Seemed to give the flavour much more body & removed a slight bitter after taste the non filtered water had previously.
It's just a bit of a pain filtering 5 gallons or more through a small jug though. Now I know it makes an improvement, I might have to look at a point of use water filter.
RR.
I was amazed at the improvement to the taste of my beer. Seemed to give the flavour much more body & removed a slight bitter after taste the non filtered water had previously.
It's just a bit of a pain filtering 5 gallons or more through a small jug though. Now I know it makes an improvement, I might have to look at a point of use water filter.
RR.
Hi RR, welcome to the forum!
I've been toying with the idea of getting a water filter as well. At the moment I use a wine filter, which removes most of the crap (sandy type stuff) but doesn't get rid of the chlorine, of course.
I'm suspicious of my water, as it doesn't taste all that good straight from the tap, so it must be affecting the beer.
I've been toying with the idea of getting a water filter as well. At the moment I use a wine filter, which removes most of the crap (sandy type stuff) but doesn't get rid of the chlorine, of course.
I'm suspicious of my water, as it doesn't taste all that good straight from the tap, so it must be affecting the beer.
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deadlydes
Check out this ebay sale 4435216663
*** I've added a link http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... %26fvi%3D1 to the item in question. Sorry to intrude...
...Reg ***
this is not the only type available but i am assumning they are all the same (i have never found a difference between brita cartridges and cheaper alsi ones, its all the same chemical reactions inside). Wickes sells one for £35 and cartridges are £15.
these things last around 6 months and are great. oyu get a flow af around 1/2 gal a minute so you get good tasting water in no time!
i cant drink the water straight out of the tap but filtering makes it just as good if not better than bottled water. so i am assuming it makes a difference to the beer.
*** I've added a link http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... %26fvi%3D1 to the item in question. Sorry to intrude...
...Reg ***this is not the only type available but i am assumning they are all the same (i have never found a difference between brita cartridges and cheaper alsi ones, its all the same chemical reactions inside). Wickes sells one for £35 and cartridges are £15.
these things last around 6 months and are great. oyu get a flow af around 1/2 gal a minute so you get good tasting water in no time!
i cant drink the water straight out of the tap but filtering makes it just as good if not better than bottled water. so i am assuming it makes a difference to the beer.
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Road Runner
I just got a cheap filter jug from Argos. It was the biggest one they do (1.8 Litre) and also the cheapest, £8 I think it was.
Brita ones are rediculously expensive, as you're obviously just paying for the name. The cartridges I get from QD stores, they're just a cheapy homewares type of shop. £3.98 for 3 cartridges. As oposed to the Brita ones which are about £12 for 3 I think.
If you're interested in the technical stuff about them, it says they contain Activated Silverised Carbon and Ion Exchange Resim. Means nothing to me, but it seems to work well. They apparently reduce Chlorine Levels, Sediments, Pesticides, Heavy Metals and Carbonate Hardness.
I use it also for water I boil in my kettle, as it stops the calcium build up.
RR
Brita ones are rediculously expensive, as you're obviously just paying for the name. The cartridges I get from QD stores, they're just a cheapy homewares type of shop. £3.98 for 3 cartridges. As oposed to the Brita ones which are about £12 for 3 I think.
If you're interested in the technical stuff about them, it says they contain Activated Silverised Carbon and Ion Exchange Resim. Means nothing to me, but it seems to work well. They apparently reduce Chlorine Levels, Sediments, Pesticides, Heavy Metals and Carbonate Hardness.
I use it also for water I boil in my kettle, as it stops the calcium build up.
RR
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James
RR,
That cartridge should be fine. Activated carbon/ion exchange resins are within reason, very similar - there is nothing terribly complicated in their make up.
The only thing a better quality (more expensive?) cartrige may have is better quality, and larger amounts carbon/resin, which may give longer servcie life, but nothing that more frequent cartridge replacement wouldn't cure, but your right, Britas are overpriced.
JC
That cartridge should be fine. Activated carbon/ion exchange resins are within reason, very similar - there is nothing terribly complicated in their make up.
The only thing a better quality (more expensive?) cartrige may have is better quality, and larger amounts carbon/resin, which may give longer servcie life, but nothing that more frequent cartridge replacement wouldn't cure, but your right, Britas are overpriced.
JC
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Road Runner
Well I'm not too well up on the chemistry behind these filter cartridges. As I said, I was just experimenting realy and it worked for me, it seemed to make a vast improvement to my beer.
I can't say I've noticed any salty taste in either the filtered water or my beer brewed with the filtered water so far. But DAAB, if all I notice now is a "SALTY" taste in my beer, I'll blame you for it, as my sub concious will now be looking out for it and tricking my mind into thinking I can taste salt
Maybe if I tell you, I've heard alledgedly that the B&Q filter you use makes beer taste like Gnats Pee, then that might take my mind off the salty taste of my own beer
Enjoy :beer
RR.
I can't say I've noticed any salty taste in either the filtered water or my beer brewed with the filtered water so far. But DAAB, if all I notice now is a "SALTY" taste in my beer, I'll blame you for it, as my sub concious will now be looking out for it and tricking my mind into thinking I can taste salt
Maybe if I tell you, I've heard alledgedly that the B&Q filter you use makes beer taste like Gnats Pee, then that might take my mind off the salty taste of my own beer
Enjoy :beer
RR.