Search found 12 matches

by rjcortez
Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:09 pm
Forum: Equipment
Topic: Bottle Crate
Replies: 0
Views: 14352

Bottle Crate

Looking for some feedback on my Home Brew Beer Box. It's sturdy and stackable. The video is not very polished, but you will see the no tools needed assembly.
by rjcortez
Wed May 23, 2012 2:00 am
Forum: Brewing Science
Topic: Steeping Grains and Wort Boil Time
Replies: 5
Views: 20520

Mashing for extract brewers

So much good and valuable information in your post for me slothrob. Thank you. Lower temperature for longer period when I mash. I'm sorry but with each answer I have more questions. Should I use less water in my mash or continue with my 3 gals? I ask because I'm not sure what you mean by "thick...
by rjcortez
Mon May 21, 2012 10:25 pm
Forum: Brewing Science
Topic: Steeping Grains and Wort Boil Time
Replies: 5
Views: 20520

steeping and boil

Today's brew was 1/2 lb each American 2 Row and Crystal Malt 10L steeped for an hour at 165 or so. So if I understand you right, an hour is long enough, longer wouldn't yield any better results? Also, how about the length of the boil? I've seen some recipes that call for a 90 minute boil. What's the...
by rjcortez
Mon May 21, 2012 7:55 pm
Forum: Brewing Science
Topic: Steeping Grains and Wort Boil Time
Replies: 5
Views: 20520

Steeping Grains and Wort Boil Time

I've always gone with 1 hour steeping grains and 1 hour boil. I steep 1 - 2 lbs of grains. My boil is approximately 3.5 gals. My question is for extract brewing what affect does the length of time have on the wort? What benefits are there to longer periods of time if any? As always thanks in advance...
by rjcortez
Mon May 21, 2012 6:11 pm
Forum: Techniques, Methods, Tips & How To
Topic: Starter from yeast cake?
Replies: 6
Views: 20798

Question

Should have checked this thread again before brewing today. Did another starter from the slurry from the same batch. this time I used 1/2 cup of slurry, 1/2 cup of DME, little yeast nutrient and 2 cups of water. But, I just made the starter yesterday. How long should I allow when making a starter be...
by rjcortez
Mon May 14, 2012 8:02 pm
Forum: Techniques, Methods, Tips & How To
Topic: Starter from yeast cake?
Replies: 6
Views: 20798

Too Big

Way too big of a starter when using fresh slurry. kräusen over the top of the growler. would have been a huge mess if I didn't have it wrapped in a towel. Now wondering if I should pitch the whole thing or still try to poor off the liquid. How much suspended yeast will I lose.
by rjcortez
Mon May 14, 2012 1:20 am
Forum: Techniques, Methods, Tips & How To
Topic: Starter from yeast cake?
Replies: 6
Views: 20798

Thanks

I checked Mr Malty and it says I needed about a half cup of slurry if pitched directly. I'd rather be safe than sorry so I used the half cup but made a starter for it anyway. boiled 1 cup light DME and 4 cups of water. Vigorous shaking to aerate in a Growler, added teaspoon of yeast nutrients and pi...
by rjcortez
Sun May 13, 2012 4:20 am
Forum: Techniques, Methods, Tips & How To
Topic: Starter from yeast cake?
Replies: 6
Views: 20798

Starter from yeast cake?

I had originally planned on racking a new brew right on top of the yeast cake from a batch I racked over to a secondary. After racking there just too much junk stuck to the sides of the carboy so I just harvested about 2 quarts of the slurry which is in a growler, lid on, in the refrigerator. Didn't...
by rjcortez
Tue Feb 28, 2012 9:54 pm
Forum: Brewing Science
Topic: Bottle Carbonation
Replies: 6
Views: 18260

Patience

The more I think about it the more convinced that I'm just not giving the process enough time. Different recipes, different yeast, same problem unless there is something in the way I'm handling wort moving from primary to secondary to bottling, patience is the logical cause of the problem. Just goin...
by rjcortez
Mon Feb 27, 2012 2:26 am
Forum: Brewing Science
Topic: Bottle Carbonation
Replies: 6
Views: 18260

Thanks slothrob for the ideas, I'll give them a shot. The hardest one is going to be patience though, and that's the one it sounds like is most likely the culprit.
by rjcortez
Sun Feb 26, 2012 4:31 pm
Forum: Brewing Science
Topic: Bottle Carbonation
Replies: 6
Views: 18260

Re: Carbonation

slothrob wrote:There should be plenty of yeast left to carbonate the beer.

At what temperature are you keeping the bottles?
Keeping them in the same room with the fermenters which is 70f
by rjcortez
Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:08 pm
Forum: Brewing Science
Topic: Bottle Carbonation
Replies: 6
Views: 18260

Bottle Carbonation

I'm using 3/4 cup of corn sugar boiled in 2 cups of water for 15 minutes which I cool down to the same temp as the 5 gals of extract beer to be bottled. I usually rack to a secondary for a week at least before bottling. I've had several batches now that even after 3 weeks don't have the amount of ca...