AG#1 Done!

[marengo]

Finally, cherry popped! :grin:

Yesterday was the momentous day, at last I managed to get a whole day to lash at it.

I made a version of "Brewer's Pride" a 4.6% best bitter with pale, amber and crystal malts; Bobek, Northern brewer and Goldings hops.

The money shot!:

The 90 minute boil hops weighed out:

Sparging:

Boiling away:

Generally a pretty successful day, 1 or 2 minor mishaps, but all a learning process!

2 questions (at the moment) - Does anyone use the sparge arm similar to the one shown - how do you get it to stop dribbling water from the connection at the T joint? Secondly, the amount of steam created is going to be a problem in the long term has anyone come up with a portable extraction system and how?

Cheers all
john

 

[pittsy]

well done , looks like a good day . I brew in my shed doors open , so no probs for my steam .i also batch sparge so again can't help. :clap:

 

[Vossy1]

Well done on your first brew M, :clap: and time to take pics too

Secondly, the amount of steam created is going to be a problem in the long term has anyone come up with a portable extraction system and how?

Are you brewing indoors :hmm:

 

[marengo]

yup, rather a necessity up here (for most of the time). But in my rather large caravan.... so not messing up the kitchen.

 

[jonnymorris]

Congrats on #1. I brew on the hob (though not actually using the hob) and use the extractor fan to remove the steam. Works a treat.

 

[Dieseljockey]

Well done on your first brew...don't worry about a dribble from the T joint...I brew in the outhouse, so steam no problem for me sorry.

 

[dennisking]

Well done, welcome to the dark side.

 

[bobsbeer]

Well done. I also set the boiler up on the hob and use the extractor. Works for me. With my first brew I just did it on the worktop but had the extractor going and windows open, but the steam did a good job of cleaning the walls. :grin: They were dripping wet, so as well as clean all the equipment I had to wipe all the walls down. At least they ended up nice and clean. But boiling under the extractor no problem.

 

[Dr Mike]

Congrats on your first AG. I brew with kettle next to a wide open window which is enough to stop the steam getting too bad.

 

[jonewer]

Well done!

I brew in the kitchen and steam is a problem. I will move into the garage when I get water plumbed in and a temp controlled brew fridge. Until then the kitchen is just going to be a bit steamy!

 

[marengo]

Thanks for all the congratulations. I feel as though I should be handing cigars out Sorry, don't have any !

We have an old croft in the far north with 18" thick stone walls so putting an extractor in is a little problematic..... and well beyond my DIY skills :lol:

So anyway I brew in the caravan rather than the house, I did open the windows and in the end the door, but the steam was still pretty bad and wet walls, ceiling etc etc means I'll need to put my thinking head on. I keep all my reference books and 'stuff' in the 'van so the humid atmosphere ain't good. I might try brewing in the house next time..... when the missus is out :whistle:

I'm wondering if I can fashion a hood to hang over the boiler with an extract fan and (tumble) drier hose to the window :hmm:

John

 

[fbsf]

Indeed, cigars all round - congrats on joining the dark side!

If your boiler is electric (i.e. you aren't reliant on a hob for heat), how about an awning/sunshade on the caravan to save getting rained on and insulate the hell out of the outside of the boiler (ally bubble wrap / hot water tank jacket or similar). You'll find that keeping the lid on when getting it up to temp should save a bit of energy and the insulation will allow the boiler to work in really cold temperatures without an issue...

It would be cheaper and less faffing than trying to sort an extractor...

 

[Wendy1971]

well done on your 1st brew :clap:

 

[graysalchemy]

Welcome to the darkside young padawaan

 

[PD]

Well done on your brew.

if brewing in the caravan the suggestion of an awning is a good one for the boil. You can sit inside and watch it bubbling.....

Did you take your forum name from his horse of the battle ?

 

[LeedsBrewer]

POP!

Congrats on AG1! :thumb:

 

[mattrickl06]

Thanks for all the congratulations. I feel as though I should be handing cigars out Sorry, don't have any !

We have an old croft in the far north with 18" thick stone walls so putting an extractor in is a little problematic..... and well beyond my DIY skills :lol:

So anyway I brew in the caravan rather than the house, I did open the windows and in the end the door, but the steam was still pretty bad and wet walls, ceiling etc etc means I'll need to put my thinking head on. I keep all my reference books and 'stuff' in the 'van so the humid atmosphere ain't good. I might try brewing in the house next time..... when the missus is out :whistle:

I'm wondering if I can fashion a hood to hang over the boiler with an extract fan and (tumble) drier hose to the window :hmm:

John

Is your caravan a cabriolet??

 

[mdavies1011]

Hi John,

I made something similare to what you are thinking for your extraction system.

I have done two Extract brews using my equipment and it has removed all of the steam.

Cut a hole in the top of an old seedling germination lid that just luckily fitted perfectly onto the top of my boiler. Then attached hose to a PC fan hooked up to a transformer hanging out the window.

Made from bits lying around it works pretty well :)

 

[marengo]

If your boiler is electric (i.e. you aren't reliant on a hob for heat), how about an awning/sunshade on the caravan to save getting rained on and insulate the hell out of the outside of the boiler (ally bubble wrap / hot water tank jacket or similar). You'll find that keeping the lid on when getting it up to temp should save a bit of energy and the insulation will allow the boiler to work in really cold temperatures without an issue...

It would be cheaper and less faffing than trying to sort an extractor...

True, something to think about. But only good up to about May. Then the midgies are out and I don't want them adding body to the brew! :lol:

Did you take your forum name from his horse of the battle ?

From the battle, being a wargamer of many years i had an old SPI game which had Marengo in it and it was always a good play - fond memories!

Is your caravan a cabriolet??

It's a 30' static caravan which serves as my man cave

Hi MD - I love the Heath Robinson extraction system, exactly the sort of thing I was thinking of :) Is the cat required to operate it?

John

 

[artyb]

geat steam extraction ... :clap:


can you knock the moggy off the cill with it.... :rofl: