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New to Homebrewing? Pitfalls
No expert, but I recognize pitfalls after I've fallen into them. Here's my first big one:
Started out with a big tub fermenter from Kraus, think it was, about 7 gal. size, had a snap-on plastic lid with small center hole for a bubbler air-lock. It was white translucent, so you couldn't see the stuff inside but as a blur, was it "working" or not? After a couple of bad starts, the bubbler did not indicate gas production (no fermentation, then, right?). So, was the yeast bad, too old, temperature wrong, what?
The lid was LEAKING the gas away fast enough to keep the bubbler from wiggling! After I sealed it with silicone rubber, the bubbler went crazy! Who would've thunk it?
Sealing the damn thing was just too much hassle, so now I use a 5 gal. glass carboy, like the old water coolers had. Plastic has replaced the glass jugs, and I suppose that's OK for brewing, but I like the glass better One needs a long, bent stiff brush to clean them though, unlike the big-mouth vats. Also, the clear glass allows you to SEE whats going on with those little yeasties! They really move around in there! imp
imp wrote:
No expert, but I recognize pitfalls after I've fallen into them. Here's my first big one:
Started out with a big tub fermenter from Kraus, think it was, about 7 gal. size, had a snap-on plastic lid with small center hole for a bubbler air-lock. It was white translucent, so you couldn't see the stuff inside but as a blur, was it "working" or not? After a couple of bad starts, the bubbler did not indicate gas production (no fermentation, then, right?). So, was the yeast bad, too old, temperature wrong, what?
The lid was LEAKING the gas away fast enough to keep the bubbler from wiggling! After I sealed it with silicone rubber, the bubbler went crazy! Who would've thunk it?
You'd be surprised how many people don't seal the lid correctly, and as you mentioned the gas escapes there as opposed to through the airlock. No big deal though.....I would guess you were using a True Brew bucket. They suck, and are impossible to get the lid on and off easily, at least in my experiences. I use an Ale Pale bucket. I don't who know makes it, but it's way better than the True Brew. The lid goes on and off very easy, no struggle, no leaks.
imp wrote:
Sealing the damn thing was just too much hassle, so now I use a 5 gal. glass carboy, like the old water coolers had. Plastic has replaced the glass jugs, and I suppose that's OK for brewing, but I like the glass better One needs a long, bent stiff brush to clean them though, unlike the big-mouth vats. Also, the clear glass allows you to SEE whats going on with those little yeasties! They really move around in there! imp
There's a lot of people who prefer carboys over buckets. Seeing the action is pretty cool as well. I use the buckets only because I don't want to break a carboy. I'm clumsy and can admit it. You can get a Better Bottle carboy, which is made from 100% non-permeable food safe plastic. They are sturdy, way, way lighter than glass, and also a bit more expensive. Again, they are used by preference.
As for cleaning a carboy, get rid of the brush. I use either PBW(Powdered Brewers Wash) or Oxiclean. Lately, Oxiclean as I've been out of PBW. To clean my glass carboy when dirty, I give it a good rinse out with the hose first. Then I take about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of Oxiclean and throw it in. Next it is filled with hot water and that's it. The OC or PBW will literally eat away and dissolve 99.9% of any sticking crud. You can shake it up a little, and that agititaion will help to clean it up a bit. When mixed with water over 100 degrees, OC will foam wildly which I think helps. You need to be careful to not put the water in too hot, as it cause the glass to break due to thermal shock.
Would that be the same Oxiclean that Billy May pushes in the T-V commercials?
Is the stuff readily available locally, like at Wally-World? (That's about all we got!).
Yep same stuff. Just make sure you get the fragrance free kind. The stuff works great and makes cleaning so much easier. The no name brand will work just as well, too.
Billy May rules! I love that guys attitude towards some of the most ridiculous products...yet, I seem to try them all. Oxiclean is by far the best thing he markets I'd say....never seen a generic kind, only Oxiclean and Clorox Oxygen Powder......but it's probably al the same.....
Told the wife about this thread, turns out she already has some of the generic stuff (she says), so I'll try it when my 2 present batches finish up.
Mucho molasses in one! Yum, yum!!
They sell the oxegenating cleanser at dollar stores too..........$1 gets you about a pound...............it works pretty good.
Also picked up a better bottle or like it for 24 bucks shipped.........from more beer.
I hate plastic buckets.............carboys are really easy to clean as long as I fill them with water right after the brew is doneand let them sit......
then I dry the with a SHAMWOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just joking anyone see that stupid commercial?
You'll say WOW every time you use it.....That guy, Vince I think is his name is like a junior Billy Mays. Only Billy has the "neighborly Bob Villa helper outer" look, and Shamwow guy has the "Damnit, just order the product so I get paid" look.....
Although, I know someone who bought them, and she said they work quite well. She tried the carpet trick, and it worked just like on TV.....it's just another shammy cloth though, nothing really that new....
Is the oxyclean a sanitizer? do you have to rinse it? I like pbw, but I always run out too. I started to buy the packets of the stuff so I'd have it on hand but I run out of those too.
Oxiclean only cleans, and you need to rinse as well....I get mine at Walmart, 3Lb tub for $6.......works great.
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