Get to know your equipment...

[paul84043]

I have been homebrewing for a full year now and I estimate that I have done 50 to 60 batches. That should be enough to say that you have a good feel for the process. The strange thing is that I seem to keep learning things as I go. I hit a few plateaus where I didn't really think there was much more to learn, but there's always something to do, tweak, change, improve...whatever.

I discovered a few weeks ago that there is a little mixing vent on my propane burner that changes the amount of combustible air that is let into it....duh.... I knew propane burners had these, I just never looked for it on my burner.
I found out that I can tailor my flame to exactly what I want it to look like. This coupled with learning to use my gas valve to control temp quickly has allowed me to do several things. I now start with 6 gallons of water and do a full boil, where before, it took so long to boil 6 gallons because of the flame, I usually boiled 4 to 5 and ended up having to use 2 to 3 gallons to top off. Now I use barely one gallon to top off.
The other side effect is that when I get to that boilover stage, I get the gas valve right where I want it and can stop a boilover in it's tracks with 1/4 turn of the knob.
I haven't had a boilover in the last 5 batches, even though I'm boiling more water and have considerably less headspace than before. I also get a better rolling boil now than I did before.
This has improved my beer in several ways. There are many here who have talked about how "full boils" seem to make your beer better, and I don't lose all of my hops in that nasty boilover. My dog isn't as happy with me because there's nothing on the garage floor for him to clean up, but that's too bad for him I guess.

My point is, never stop tweaking your technique and looking at your equipment, there's always room for improvement and it will show in your finished product. I feel like lately I have made the best beers yet.

[wortchillergoal]

I know what you mean. I have been doing this for about 10 years and have learned plenty from this community anf feel I will gain mre useful knowledge.

In case you didn't ssee it or forgot about it, there is a thread dealing with how toxic hops are to dogs. A member found out the hard way when he lost his beloved pet. So please think twice about your dog snacking on boilover.

[paul84043]

I remember that thread,
I was joking more than anything. I seem to recall that it was a few breeds that were much more suceptible to it than others.

He does really like the malt though..I usually let him lick the malt bucket after I've emptied it out. For the most part he leaves my brewing stuff alone, probably because I've yelled at him a few times in the past.

[S.F.B.]

Very good points Paul. I have been brewing 3+ years and am always finding something new to try to improve th quality of my brews. I hang out with folks who have been brewing a lot longer than me and they say they are always learning also.

[paul84043]

I think my biggest problem is that I am the only one I know of that brews so I really only have this board to get ideas from.

[barley ben]

I think my biggest problem is that I am the only one I know of that brews so I really only have this board to get ideas from.

I know what you mean. I had the same problem until I discovered this forum. The only time I got to ask any questions was if I was at the LHS and that didn't help when I ran into a problem at home. I had a couple of books, but the same problem, if the book doesn't have you're exact situation in it, it doesn't help.

So thanks again for all of your help, and as this thread is about, I know I will have many more to come.

[RedVR6]

Originally posted by S.F.B.
Very good points Paul. I have been brewing 3+ years and am always finding something new to try to improve th quality of my brews. I hang out with folks who have been brewing a lot longer than me and they say they are always learning also.

Count me in there too. When I first started brewing there was very little info on the net. So i too relied on books and tips from my brew shop...

[paul84043]

Even though I managed somehow to stumble through my first batch without this resource, I can't even begin to quantify what I've learned from these guys and it's a great feeling to be able to give some back to others with questions!
My local HB shop is about 30 miles away so I relied on the book that I bought and just went for it!!

I've said it before, but I think this is THE best forum I have ever posted on. The people are great and the knowledge base is unparalleled. I'm proud to be a member of it..

[barley ben]

This is the only forum I've posted on. It was the first one I found and felt I needed.

[kgaugler]

I agree with what every one has already said. Even though I have not been coming to this forum for very long, it has been very useful to me. However, unlike some out there, my lhbs is excellent too. But they are not open at 2:00 est.;)

[kevin]

I always add my hops after the boilover point, then I start the 60 min timer keeping those precise hops where they belong. This past weekend I used a hop plug for the first time it'll be interesting to see how that effects the outcome of this brew.

[barley ben]

I still have yet to see plugs. It is either pellets of whole leaves. What is the final difference between plugs and whole. Aren't they just compressed whole hops?

[gallowd7]

Something I learned concerning the burner, a little "rules of combustion" tip.
When/if you start getting black "ash/powder" on the bottom of your pot, it's time to clean the burner. The black stuff is inefficiently burned fuel, just like black smoke from a smokestack, and is using more propane to give you less fire even with the air intake valve full open. Take it apart and give it a good scrub with whatever you have that will fit (pipecleaner).

[Tweek]

Originally posted by barley ben
I still have yet to see plugs. It is either pellets of whole leaves. What is the final difference between plugs and whole. Aren't they just compressed whole hops?

yeah that is all they are. they are just whole hops compressed into a little plug. When you toss em in your boil its interesting to watch em seperate and it gives you something to poke at :)

[paul84043]

The problem that I've had with boilovers is that when making a bigger beer, it can continue to boil over for 20 to 30 minutes due to the high concentration of sugars in the wort. It makes it really tricky to keep tabs on things and keep the hops from boiling out.
When doing big beers I will typically use a hop bag now, something that I don't worry about with my smaller beers.

That's another good reason to boil as much water as you can.

[orb]

I've always wondered about this...I know it's important to aerate wort.....I've been lucky dumping the brew pot into a plastic primary and then "dragging" O2 into the primary with a spray nozzle of cold water. The reason I don't SHAKE O2 into the primary before pitching is my theory that wort, clinging to the side and inside cover of the primary fermenter will not be immune from the growth of bacteria and wild yeast that would be prevented by the yeast/alcohol/PH changes of the wort. Any opinions?

[elkshadow]

Originally posted by paul84043
I have been homebrewing for a full year now and I estimate that I have done 50 to 60 batches.

Not trying to rain on your parade, but isn't 250 to 300 gallons in a year way over the legal limit?

just kiddin :)

[Tweek]

Originally posted by elkshadow
Not trying to rain on your parade, but isn't 250 to 300 gallons in a year way over the legal limit?

just kiddin

That is only per household. I am sure he has been doing some of those at other peoples houses, and or pouring some out before fermentation. :p

[paul84043]

I had always heard that it's per adult, not household,
We have two adults, so I'm good up to 400 gallons!!!

:D

Who's counting anyway??

[DreamWeaver]

As I read it I understood it was 200 gallons per person or 400 per household per year. But the laws are pretty vague and would be hard to inforce. I interpret that to be 400 gallons on hand at any one time in my spare bedroom closet! :D I just looked up Ohio's alcohol laws and in the Ohio Revised Code they all have a "Repealed" next to them. We're movin up! Woo-Hoo!
-DRWeaver-

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by DreamWeaver
As I read it I understood it was 200 gallons per person or 400 per household per year. But the laws are pretty vague and would be hard to inforce. I interpret that to be 400 gallons on hand at any one time in my spare bedroom closet! :D I just looked up Ohio's alcohol laws and in the Ohio Revised Code they all have a "Repealed" next to them. We're movin up! Woo-Hoo!
-DRWeaver-

If you have 400 gallons laying around then there are a few of us on the way to your house.

[RedVR6]

lol :D