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Date: 05 Dec 2006 16:00:30
From: Mike
Subject: New to brewing - question about new kit
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Hi guys,
I'm new to brewing, my girlfriend and I just bought a kit from a brew
store, and we're a little bit curious about the number of pieces we got
with the kit.
What we got with the kit: 1 - 6 gallon bucket (with hole for "tap" aka
bottling bucket), 1 - 6 gallon bucket (no hole), 1 - lid for bucket, 2
- air locks, 1 - 6 gallon carboy, 1 - 5 gallon carboy, and some various
other stuff, such as tubing, auto-siphon stuff, bottle caps, bottle
capping tool, etc.
What we're curious about is why the 2 different carboys, and for that
matter why the 2 air locks? Reading more, and more about brewing, we
understand 2 stage brewing, but that still would leave us with 1 empty
carboy, wouldn't it?
You have the first bucket for use as the primary fermenter, and then a
carboy for the secondary fermentation.
Could someone explain the reason for this particular kit setup?
Thanks
Mike
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Date: 05 Dec 2006 17:46:39
From: Mike
Subject: Re: New to brewing - question about new kit
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David M. Taylor wrote:
> "Mike" <mikedawg@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1165363230.199214.224700@73g2000cwn.googlegroups.com...
> > Hi guys,
> >
> > I'm new to brewing, my girlfriend and I just bought a kit from a brew
> > store, and we're a little bit curious about the number of pieces we got
> > with the kit.
> >
> > What we got with the kit: 1 - 6 gallon bucket (with hole for "tap" aka
> > bottling bucket), 1 - 6 gallon bucket (no hole), 1 - lid for bucket, 2
> > - air locks, 1 - 6 gallon carboy, 1 - 5 gallon carboy, and some various
> > other stuff, such as tubing, auto-siphon stuff, bottle caps, bottle
> > capping tool, etc.
>
> How about a thermometer and a hydrometer -- the two most important pieces of
> equipment of all? A racking cane? A bottle scrub brush?
>
> > What we're curious about is why the 2 different carboys, and for that
> > matter why the 2 air locks? Reading more, and more about brewing, we
> > understand 2 stage brewing, but that still would leave us with 1 empty
> > carboy, wouldn't it?
>
> With two carboys and two fermentation locks, you can make two batches at one
> time! Nice.
>
> > You have the first bucket for use as the primary fermenter, and then a
> > carboy for the secondary fermentation.
>
> Yes.
>
> I'm hoping you've got the hydrometer. If not, you should consider getting
> one. It's the only way to know if you're going to end up with the
> appropriate alcohol level and body in your finished beer. A thermometer
> will come in handy when adjusting gravity readings for temperature, and when
> you start doing partial mashes. The racking cane, useful in bottling. And
> the bottle scrub brush, self-explanatory. If those didn't come with the
> kit, I'd be surprised. Make sure you get them.
>
> --
> Dave
> "Fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you're drinking." -- Brad Paisley
Yes, the kit came with a hydrometer, a nice glass thermometer, and a
simple "stick on" thermometer (something similar to what I have on my
fish tank), sanitizer solution stuff, a nice big funnel with mesh
screen thing built in, and a bottle brush. I just sort of put all this
stuff under the et cetera of my description.
I'm thinking at this point, that I will use the bucket w/air lock as
the primary fermenter, and move the secondary stage of fermentation to
the 6 - gallon carboy, and keep the other carboy around as a spare, at
least for my first batch (or more).
Doing a lot of comparison shopping, it seems I got a pretty decent
deal, in fact, one of the best deals I could find.
So, another question, about the fermentation process, as I said, I have
a 6 gallon bucket, a 6 gallon carboy and a 5 gallon carboy.
During primary fermentation, what is the difference or reasons for
using a blow-off tube vs. using an air lock? Does fermentation create
so much gas, that the air lock can't expel enough of it, that a
blow-off tube would be better during the primary fermentation? Or is
it a matter of vessel size; the difference between fermenting in a 5
gallon carboy vs the 6 gallon bucket, would the extra room in the
bucket allow for more gases to escape via the air lock, as opposed to
using a blow-off for the smaller 5 gallon carboy?
Thanks
Mike
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Date: 06 Dec 2006 03:14:45
From: DragonTail
Subject: Re: New to brewing - question about new kit
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Mike wrote:
snip
>
> I'm thinking at this point, that I will use the bucket w/air lock as
> the primary fermenter, and move the secondary stage of fermentation to
> the 6 - gallon carboy, and keep the other carboy around as a spare, at
> least for my first batch (or more).
>
I would use the 5gal for secondary and keep the 6 for a spare. For
secondary fermentation you don't need the extra head space. In the
future you could use the 6gal for secondary if you are adding things
post-fermentation, such as fruit or hops for "dry-hopping". In these
cases the dissolved CO2 tends to come out of solution quickly and you
get some foaming that that could plug up your airlock.
> Doing a lot of comparison shopping, it seems I got a pretty decent
> deal, in fact, one of the best deals I could find.
>
> So, another question, about the fermentation process, as I said, I have
> a 6 gallon bucket, a 6 gallon carboy and a 5 gallon carboy.
>
> During primary fermentation, what is the difference or reasons for
> using a blow-off tube vs. using an air lock? Does fermentation create
> so much gas, that the air lock can't expel enough of it, that a
> blow-off tube would be better during the primary fermentation? Or is
> it a matter of vessel size; the difference between fermenting in a 5
> gallon carboy vs the 6 gallon bucket, would the extra room in the
> bucket allow for more gases to escape via the air lock, as opposed to
> using a blow-off for the smaller 5 gallon carboy?
>
> Thanks
>
> Mike
>
The blow-off tube isn't really because there is more gas being expelled.
There is more gas, but what you are trying to prevent is a normal
airlock getting plugged. A plugged airlock can cause problems. If
plugged, at the least, the airlock and stopper would get blown out of
the carboy. At the worst, your carboy could get damaged/broken. Either
way you would have a mess. By using a blow-off, since it has a larger
diameter than an airlock, there is less chance of it getting plugged.
If you used a 5gal carboy with a blow-off, for a 5gal batch, you would
end up blowing off most of your yeast, and wouldn't get a full
fermentation. If you do decide to use a carboy for primary, definitely
use the 6gal.
Cheers,
--
Michael Herrenbruck
Dragon Tail Ale
Drunken Bee Mead
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Date: 06 Dec 2006 16:34:36
From: John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Subject: Re: New to brewing - question about new kit
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On 5 Dec 2006 17:46:39 -0800, <mikedawg@gmail.com > wrote:
> So, another question, about the fermentation process, as I said, I have
> a 6 gallon bucket, a 6 gallon carboy and a 5 gallon carboy.
>
> During primary fermentation, what is the difference or reasons for
> using a blow-off tube vs. using an air lock? Does fermentation create
> so much gas, that the air lock can't expel enough of it, that a
> blow-off tube would be better during the primary fermentation? Or is
> it a matter of vessel size; the difference between fermenting in a 5
> gallon carboy vs the 6 gallon bucket, would the extra room in the
> bucket allow for more gases to escape via the air lock, as opposed to
> using a blow-off for the smaller 5 gallon carboy?
It's not gas, fermentation creates what is called a krausen, which is just
a fancy term for "a bunch of foam". It'll look like the head on a glass
of beer. You usually want to do your primary fermentation in a carboy that
is larger than your batch size. IE, a standard 5 gallon recipe would be
done in a 6 gallon primary fermenter. That way it will have enough extra
room to hold the head of foam that forms on top. Sometimes (based on
ingredients or temp, etc) the fermentation can get so active that the foam
will even start to overflow a 6 gallon fermenter. This is where the blowoff
tube comes into play. If you leave the airlock on, then you'll have foam
coming out of the airlock and getting all over the floor (big mess). If
this happens, you take the airlock out and put the blowoff hose in, which
then redirects the overflow down to a bowl or something with sanitizer in it.
That keeps the mess contained so you don't have to worry about mopping the
floor, etc.
John.
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Date: 06 Dec 2006 16:52:27
From:
Subject: Re: New to brewing - question about new kit
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: It's not gas, fermentation creates what is called a krausen, which is just
: a fancy term for "a bunch of foam". It'll look like the head on a glass
: of beer. You usually want to do your primary fermentation in a carboy that
: is larger than your batch size. IE, a standard 5 gallon recipe would be
: done in a 6 gallon primary fermenter. That way it will have enough extra
: room to hold the head of foam that forms on top. Sometimes (based on
: ingredients or temp, etc) the fermentation can get so active that the foam
: will even start to overflow a 6 gallon fermenter. This is where the blowoff
: tube comes into play. If you leave the airlock on, then you'll have foam
: coming out of the airlock and getting all over the floor (big mess). If
: this happens, you take the airlock out and put the blowoff hose in, which
: then redirects the overflow down to a bowl or something with sanitizer in it.
: That keeps the mess contained so you don't have to worry about mopping the
: floor, etc.
... and possibly plugging the airlock, causing the carboy to explode!
So, the concensus is that the goo that comes out the airlock is actually a
*good* thing WRT the final beer? I've heard it gets rid of some of the stuff you
don't want in the beer. I'm only asking because my brother routinely has
fermentations that he either refrigerates (45-50), or puts in the cold cellar to try
to limit the amount of beer loss out of the carboy. These are 6 gallon carboys, 5-5.5
gallons wort/beer, 1.075 gravities, and happy yeast cakes pitched.
-Cory
--
*************************************************************************
* Cory Papenfuss, Ph.D., PPSEL-IA *
* Electrical Engineering *
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University *
*************************************************************************
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Date: 06 Dec 2006 18:52:33
From: John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Subject: Re: New to brewing - question about new kit
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On Wed, 6 Dec 2006 16:52:27 +0000 (UTC), <papenfussDIESPAM@juneauDOTmeDOTvt.edu > wrote:
> So, the concensus is that the goo that comes out the airlock is
> actually a *good* thing WRT the final beer? I've heard it gets rid of some
> of the stuff you don't want in the beer.
Some older books put forth that theory, but personally I don't believe it.
I've also seen many, many brewers who state that it doesn't make any
difference. I put that one into the "it sounds good written down, but doesn't
really happen" column.
John.
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Date: 05 Dec 2006 18:48:42
From: David M. Taylor
Subject: Re: New to brewing - question about new kit
|
"Mike" <mikedawg@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1165363230.199214.224700@73g2000cwn.googlegroups.com...
> Hi guys,
>
> I'm new to brewing, my girlfriend and I just bought a kit from a brew
> store, and we're a little bit curious about the number of pieces we got
> with the kit.
>
> What we got with the kit: 1 - 6 gallon bucket (with hole for "tap" aka
> bottling bucket), 1 - 6 gallon bucket (no hole), 1 - lid for bucket, 2
> - air locks, 1 - 6 gallon carboy, 1 - 5 gallon carboy, and some various
> other stuff, such as tubing, auto-siphon stuff, bottle caps, bottle
> capping tool, etc.
How about a thermometer and a hydrometer -- the two most important pieces of
equipment of all? A racking cane? A bottle scrub brush?
> What we're curious about is why the 2 different carboys, and for that
> matter why the 2 air locks? Reading more, and more about brewing, we
> understand 2 stage brewing, but that still would leave us with 1 empty
> carboy, wouldn't it?
With two carboys and two fermentation locks, you can make two batches at one
time! Nice.
> You have the first bucket for use as the primary fermenter, and then a
> carboy for the secondary fermentation.
Yes.
I'm hoping you've got the hydrometer. If not, you should consider getting
one. It's the only way to know if you're going to end up with the
appropriate alcohol level and body in your finished beer. A thermometer
will come in handy when adjusting gravity readings for temperature, and when
you start doing partial mashes. The racking cane, useful in bottling. And
the bottle scrub brush, self-explanatory. If those didn't come with the
kit, I'd be surprised. Make sure you get them.
--
Dave
"Fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you're drinking." -- Brad Paisley
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Date: 06 Dec 2006 00:51:00
From: DragonTail
Subject: Re: New to brewing - question about new kit
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Mike wrote:
> Hi guys,
>
> I'm new to brewing, my girlfriend and I just bought a kit from a brew
> store, and we're a little bit curious about the number of pieces we got
> with the kit.
>
> What we got with the kit: 1 - 6 gallon bucket (with hole for "tap" aka
> bottling bucket), 1 - 6 gallon bucket (no hole), 1 - lid for bucket, 2
> - air locks, 1 - 6 gallon carboy, 1 - 5 gallon carboy, and some various
> other stuff, such as tubing, auto-siphon stuff, bottle caps, bottle
> capping tool, etc.
>
> What we're curious about is why the 2 different carboys, and for that
> matter why the 2 air locks? Reading more, and more about brewing, we
> understand 2 stage brewing, but that still would leave us with 1 empty
> carboy, wouldn't it?
2 carboys:
So you can do an "all glass" fermentation. You use the 6 gal for
primary fermentation because there will be a lot of activity and you
need the head space for the foam (Krausen). After primary fermentation,
usually aprox. a week for most "regular" ales, you transfer (rack) to
the 5 gal for another week, or longer if needed, to clear. You can also
use the larger carboy for a secondary so that you can have 2 batches
going at a time. The two airlocks ar2 also so you can have 2 batches
going at once. I would actually get another airlock so you have 1 for
each fermenter, (Think 3 batches)
> You have the first bucket for use as the primary fermenter, and then a
> carboy for the secondary fermentation.
This is actually how I do most of my batches. I also make mead, which
has to stay in the primary for longer. By having the other equipment
you can have more than one going at a time. I actually have 2 primary
buckets, 1 6.5gal carboy, and 3 5gal carboys. If you decide to go the
all glass route, get about a 2 foot length of hose that fits tightly
into the mouth of the larger carboy to use as a blow off tube. After
you put you wort (unfermented beer) in and pitch the yeast, put one end
of the tube into the mouth of the carboy and the other end into a
container of sanitizing solution. This way if you have a really active
fermentation, the krausen will go through the tube (blow off). The
container of sanitizing solution will act like a large airlock. If you
were to use only an airlock, it could get pluged, and, worst case, the
carboy could "grenade". I actually had a batch, in a bucket, plug the
airlock and blow the lid off.
>
> Could someone explain the reason for this particular kit setup?
>
> Thanks
>
> Mike
>
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
--
Michael Herrenbruck
Dragon Tail Ale
Drunken Bee Mead
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Date: 05 Dec 2006 19:32:33
From: Phil
Subject: Re: New to brewing - question about new kit
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On 5 Dec 2006 16:00:30 -0800, "Mike" <mikedawg@gmail.com > wrote:
>Hi guys,
>
>I'm new to brewing, my girlfriend and I just bought a kit from a brew
>store, and we're a little bit curious about the number of pieces we got
>with the kit.
>
>What we got with the kit: 1 - 6 gallon bucket (with hole for "tap" aka
>bottling bucket), 1 - 6 gallon bucket (no hole), 1 - lid for bucket, 2
>- air locks, 1 - 6 gallon carboy, 1 - 5 gallon carboy, and some various
>other stuff, such as tubing, auto-siphon stuff, bottle caps, bottle
>capping tool, etc.
>
>What we're curious about is why the 2 different carboys, and for that
>matter why the 2 air locks? Reading more, and more about brewing, we
>understand 2 stage brewing, but that still would leave us with 1 empty
>carboy, wouldn't it?
>
>You have the first bucket for use as the primary fermenter, and then a
>carboy for the secondary fermentation.
>
>Could someone explain the reason for this particular kit setup?
I've never heard of a starter kit with two carboys and a bucket. I'd
almost think the shop owner simply wanted you to buy another carboy to
pad his wallet.
You can always brew two batches at once.
Phil
======
visit the New York City Homebrewers Guild website:
http://www.hbd.org/nychg
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Date: 06 Dec 2006 16:26:57
From: John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Subject: Re: New to brewing - question about new kit
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On 5 Dec 2006 16:00:30 -0800, <mikedawg@gmail.com > wrote:
> Hi guys,
>
> I'm new to brewing, my girlfriend and I just bought a kit from a brew
> store, and we're a little bit curious about the number of pieces we got
> with the kit.
>
> What we got with the kit: 1 - 6 gallon bucket (with hole for "tap" aka
> bottling bucket), 1 - 6 gallon bucket (no hole), 1 - lid for bucket, 2
> - air locks, 1 - 6 gallon carboy, 1 - 5 gallon carboy, and some various
> other stuff, such as tubing, auto-siphon stuff, bottle caps, bottle
> capping tool, etc.
>
> What we're curious about is why the 2 different carboys, and for that
> matter why the 2 air locks? Reading more, and more about brewing, we
> understand 2 stage brewing, but that still would leave us with 1 empty
> carboy, wouldn't it?
>
> You have the first bucket for use as the primary fermenter, and then a
> carboy for the secondary fermentation.
>
> Could someone explain the reason for this particular kit setup?
IMO, it sounds like the kit gives you the option of either doing the primary
in the 6 gallon bucket or the 6 gallon carboy. The beer would then be
secondaried in the 5 gallon carboy.
John.
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Date: 06 Dec 2006 08:07:09
From: Ryan Case
Subject: Re: New to brewing - question about new kit
|
Mike wrote:
> Hi guys,
>
> I'm new to brewing, my girlfriend and I just bought a kit from a brew
> store, and we're a little bit curious about the number of pieces we got
> with the kit.
>
> What we got with the kit: 1 - 6 gallon bucket (with hole for "tap" aka
> bottling bucket), 1 - 6 gallon bucket (no hole), 1 - lid for bucket, 2
> - air locks, 1 - 6 gallon carboy, 1 - 5 gallon carboy, and some various
> other stuff, such as tubing, auto-siphon stuff, bottle caps, bottle
> capping tool, etc.
>
> What we're curious about is why the 2 different carboys, and for that
> matter why the 2 air locks? Reading more, and more about brewing, we
> understand 2 stage brewing, but that still would leave us with 1 empty
> carboy, wouldn't it?
>
> You have the first bucket for use as the primary fermenter, and then a
> carboy for the secondary fermentation.
>
> Could someone explain the reason for this particular kit setup?
>
> Thanks
>
> Mike
>
Then only place I use my "bottling bucket's" spigot is on brew day. I
pump out of my boil kettle into my bottling bucket, then set that on the
corner of my fermentation freezer and open the spigot, letting the wort
cascade down into the bottom of my 12 gallon fermenter on top of the
pitched yeast. My bottling bucket is 7 gallons, so I do this twice to
move 10.5 gallons of wort. I usually have to wait for the foam on the
top to subside a little before I can put the fermenter's lid on.
I would suggest that you use the 6.5 gallon carboy for primary, and the
5 for secondary. You can then use the bottling bucket for bottling. You
do seem to have one more bucket then is needed, but I wouldn't fret that.
It is cool that your kit came with an auto-siphon. Did it not include a
thermometer or hydrometer?
None of your buckets are perforated are they? Sometimes people will mash
with two buckets, putting one that has been perforated all along the
bottom into another with a spigot. You then put your grain into the
perforated one and can run off wort through the spigot without getting
the grains. (in theory, never tried this method myself) Then I could see
the use of the two buckets.
Oh, well. Kit isn't nearly as important as procedure, sanitation, and
enjoyment. Welcome to the hobby/obsession.
Ryan
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Date: 06 Dec 2006 09:31:46
From: Carter Cathey
Subject: Re: New to brewing - question about new kit
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I use a 6.5 carboy for a primary and then rack to a five for secondary.
This gives you more head-space for a vigorous primary fermentation in the
larger carboy and when you rack off the sediment, you will fill the 5-gallon
nicely leaving little head space.
This is my preferred way to do it. However, you are correct that however
you use this equipment package, there seems to be redundent equipment. Not
a bad thing at all, but it certainly isn't all necessary to process a single
batch.
Carter
"Mike" <mikedawg@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1165363230.199214.224700@73g2000cwn.googlegroups.com...
> Hi guys,
>
> I'm new to brewing, my girlfriend and I just bought a kit from a brew
> store, and we're a little bit curious about the number of pieces we got
> with the kit.
>
> What we got with the kit: 1 - 6 gallon bucket (with hole for "tap" aka
> bottling bucket), 1 - 6 gallon bucket (no hole), 1 - lid for bucket, 2
> - air locks, 1 - 6 gallon carboy, 1 - 5 gallon carboy, and some various
> other stuff, such as tubing, auto-siphon stuff, bottle caps, bottle
> capping tool, etc.
>
> What we're curious about is why the 2 different carboys, and for that
> matter why the 2 air locks? Reading more, and more about brewing, we
> understand 2 stage brewing, but that still would leave us with 1 empty
> carboy, wouldn't it?
>
> You have the first bucket for use as the primary fermenter, and then a
> carboy for the secondary fermentation.
>
> Could someone explain the reason for this particular kit setup?
>
> Thanks
>
> Mike
>
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Date: 06 Dec 2006 07:19:44
From:
Subject: Re: New to brewing - question about new kit
|
Mike wrote:
> During primary fermentation, what is the difference or reasons for
> using a blow-off tube vs. using an air lock?
Some yeast strains will produce a big foamy mass (krausen) on top of
the fermenting beer. Some fermentations can get quite active and the
yeast foam can become so large that it reaches your airlock. At this
point, your airlock fills with yeast (and shoots yeast out the top). If
you're lucky it will just create a yeasty mess. If you're unlucky, it
might plug and then you've got a glass bomb.
Not to scare you though! Most fermentations will be fine with just an
airlock if you're fermenting 5 gallons in a 6.5 gal carboy. I always
start mine out with an airlock and then switch to a blow-off tube if I
see the krausen getting crazy.
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