Search results

I hope to do my first BIAB this weekend. Going to be using an Electrim Boiler and go for the maxi method. Looking to do a boil size of about 19 litres, as I think that should handle the displacement from the grain, then topping up at the end of the boil. Will be using a no-chill cube once the...

It's often said that if food has defrosted, it should not be-refrozen, however, I did find some information once, from the FDA (American food agency) that said as long as there are still some ice crystals in the food, it is safe to re-freeze. In terms of contamination, the bacteria was probably...

Hmm, not sure as I've not been drinking it, but letting it mature! I'll find out next week and try and remember to do an update.

The hops will sit on top as a green crust for a few days, but will eventually sink, given time. To encourage them on their way, put the FV somewhere cool for a couple of days. If you didn't stir properly, you would have a low hydrometer reading, not a high one. (As in say, 1.032 instead of...

Should be fine, but mix it with water and bring it to the boil, just to be sure

For a few quid for some new LME, why risk it?

Someone told me they used syringe filters, like these: http://generon.co.uk/index.php?route=pr ... uct_id=250 £30 for a pack of 50

Although they can of course be a fire risk, candles can chuck out a surprising amount of heat. If you are able to find an enclosed lantern, which can take a candle (not a tea light as they burn out too quickly), then one or two of those will help to raise the temperature a bit. Minimising...

Or a small tubular heater (less of a fire risk). A 120w one will cost about a penny an hour to run, and will probably be enough to keep temperatures above freezing.

I quite often use a blow-off tube into a bottle of star san, and I've noticed that the end of the pipe feels a bit soapy, when removed. I guess that as the siphon tube I'm using is PVC, then there could be a reaction, and yes, it also looks a little discoloured. Silicon hose would probably be...

I have both in my garden, but I'm rather more concerned about the health of my dogs! A torch and a pair of secateurs is a good cure for slugs!

If you have dogs, don't put them down to kill slugs, as hops are toxic to dogs.

Sugar is pretty much 100% fermentable by yeast, so all it gives you is ethanol (alcohol). Malt (and thus spraymalt) is a mixture of maltose, dextrins and proteins and is only about 70% fermentable. Using only sugar will give you ABV, but will leave you with a thin, watery beer. Using DME will...

Put them in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer. Should last many months, that way.

I've done quite a few kits and you get what you pay for. The Cellar 7s are ok, but nothing special. Cantinas are good, but do them over 2-3 weeks for best results. California Connoisseur are very good, but if you want to spend a bit more, Kenridge classics are really decent.

This takes a fair while to mature and is best made with some dark DME - Leave it for at least 6 weeks after bottling, for best results

I've not done the pilsner, only the Euro lager, but I think it's the same yeast. I seem to remember the lower limit being about 12 or 13 from the instructions. It may well go lower, but it might be better to use a Fermentis strain, such as Saflager S-23 that is known to ferment at lower...

Centennial (sometimes called super cascade!) Chinook, Summit, Simcoe, or maybe even NZ Pacific Jade

They are called reseals. They are for putting back on bottles that you haven't drunk, although I don't know anyone who only drinks part of a bottle!

Hops are antimicrobial, so you should be ok. Was fermentation active when you added the hops? I've dry-hopped with pellets, but my beer has not reacted like that, but then it was in a 5-gallon FV, rather than a narrow-necked container.