A couple n00b questions

[Shrek]

Yeah throw the whole lot in. There is a 'How to' on here that tells you how you can salvage the yeast and use it to brew another another batch. This means that the £1.50 you spent on yeast will last you a very long time if you treat it correctly. :thumb:

 

[dx4100]

Yeah throw the whole lot in. There is a 'How to' on here that tells you how you can salvage the yeast and use it to brew another another batch. This means that the £1.50 you spent on yeast will last you a very long time if you treat it correctly. :thumb:

Where do you get from for £1.50 ? Everywhere I look its upwards of £2+

 

[dx4100]

After doing some googling I am going off the idea of using Glass Bottles. Looks quite nasty if one explodes.

Anyone here used PET bottles ? like these:

http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/bottling/ ... ttles.html

 

[Dave1970]

Glass can explode but it's unlikely unless you overprime for the secondary fermentation or bottle too soon. Both reasonably easy to avoid. As I said earlier I've just had 50+ glass bottles for free.
I'm also a bit prejudiced against PET....what do all the best beers in your local supermarket come in?

 

[Shrek]

I have bottled countless pints of ale in glass and have yet to have one explode on me. You can also steam the glass ones to make sure that they are sterile and you can't do that with PET.

 

[dx4100]

Glass can explode but it's unlikely unless you overprime for the secondary fermentation or bottle too soon. Both reasonably easy to avoid. As I said earlier I've just had 50+ glass bottles for free.
I'm also a bit prejudiced against PET....what do all the best beers in your local supermarket come in?

Yeah I hear you... Being a Real Ale fan I am all for prejudice :)

The beer will be going in my study, which my 19 month old regularly enters... Any one with kids here will no doubt appreciate the sometimes illogical fears and protections you put around your kid. I just couldn't bear it if the worse happened.

Going to play it safe and use the PET bottles while totally taking your point.

Anybody know how you do sterilise the PET bottles ?

In the next couple of years we are building an extension with a big kitchen etc. When I have a safe place to put it I might try glass then.

You have all helped so much. I think I just have one last question. I need to remove chlorine from the water... Is it camden tablets which I need ?

 

[dx4100]

Glass can explode but it's unlikely unless you overprime for the secondary fermentation or bottle too soon. Both reasonably easy to avoid. As I said earlier I've just had 50+ glass bottles for free.
I'm also a bit prejudiced against PET....what do all the best beers in your local supermarket come in?

Being a beginner and an idiot I would of thought the chance of my idiot gene waking up and doing either of those is likely :)

 

[klaus]

Good luck with the first brew - even if you don't like the result first time round, give it time to mature, leave the bottles at least a month .... I know its difficult. When you have done the bottling start a new brew - remember, brew faster than you can drink ....
The important bit is to do a few brews getting to a stage where you can produce a good brew without much fuss, then start experimenting.
PS. I have never had a bottle explode in 20 years brewing on and off.

 

[Dave1970]

You can sterilise bottles with whatever you sterilise your kit with, I just use VWP and rinse really well. The bottle steriliser of choice for those who know on here seems to be Videne because diluted correctly it's a no rinse steriliser which speeds things up come bottling time.
Yes Campden for the chlorine treatment

And good luck! :drink:

 

[Shrek]

One more thing is to store the bottles in the dark to avoid skunking (Off taste caused by sunlight) and somewhere cold after the first fortnight to aid the carbonation. Good luck :thumb:

 

[dx4100]

One more thing is to store the bottles in the dark to avoid skunking (Off taste caused by sunlight) and somewhere cold after the first fortnight to aid the carbonation. Good luck :thumb:

The bottles I am going to use are the Cooper ones which apparently have AV protection, the are brown basically.

So how dark is dark ? Do you mean just out of direct sunlight ? or should I be looking at putting them in a enclosed box ?

 

[dx4100]

Where do you guys get your stuff from ? Can anyone recommend a good online shop ?

 

[Shrek]

I put my bottles in cardboard boxes in my garage. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[graysalchemy]

Only problem you might find is that if you get any cack stuck to the bottom of the bottle.

Simple solution

Wash your bottles out with water when you have finished drinking them don't leave the sediment to dry.

If you do or you are recycling ones which you have liberated use one of those oxy cleaners they work very well, just soak a whole batch in a bucket full of the stuff.

 

[Shrek]

Not tried the oxy stuff but next time I get some unwanted bottles from my local I will give it a try. :thumb:

 

[graysalchemy]

Washing soda cystals are good as well but the oxy actively lifts away dirt with the creation of o2. I have had bottles which have been left outside bars for weeks covered in mould and they come up a treat. :thumb: :thumb:

 

[dx4100]

Found this: http://www.the-online-homebrew-company. ... cts_id=568

The normal kit but you get two free Kits!!! Although you have to order them later in the year but thats fine.

 

[dx4100]

Do you guys recommend the Cooper's Carbonation Drops ?

 

[Dave1970]

I like 'em. Convenient & easy. I find 1 in a 500 ml bottle is about right for ales, it'd be a bit under carbonated for a lager and I'd be nervous of creating bottle bombs if I used 2.

 

[Shrek]

I just use brewing sugar with a set of small measuring spoons mainly because I am a tight git but also because some recipies call for sugar.