New to AG, my experiences

[mattee6]

Hi all,

First post, so please go easy!!!
This is what I have done.....

After a numbr of kit beers, I fancied a go at AG (Ideally to make Camerons Strongarm clone!). To be honest doing on the cheap so if not for me then haven't wasted too much money.
Anyway, my dad has had a new combi boiler fitted, so I got his old header tank. Cleaned it and fitted manifold and tap to make a mashtun. I had some spare space blanket loft insultation (the one with the aluminium backing,) I put that around the tank held in place with loads of cling film! Made a lid and insulated that.
I got a two plastic buckets that are 30l (a bit too small now i realise, I need 50l). And 4 Argos kettles (got quiet good at dismantling these now!), have made boiler and water tank (HLT I think?)
I went for a grain kit from copper kettle called Golden Cornbine, simply because it all comes in one pack and I hoped that it came with instructions. In fact, hardly any instructions but I kind of blagged it (thanks to all the excellent info found on this site). Not sure what it will taste like, but have had a go.
I suppose what I am trying to say is that this AG lark can be done very cheap, I will stick with it, and will look into getting something bigger to boil in.
My main comment is the amount of steam, I have a prefab garage that I use as a shed and water was dripping from the roof!
And time, I understood it would take 5-6 hours, but it actually took 8, trying to cool the wort took at least an hour.

Anyway,

do you have any comments (other than make sense man and stop rambling!)?
Don't ask about efficiencies, (not very sure how I do this yet, will work on it next time!)

 

[Good Ed]

Welcome to the fold Matt, sounds like you had a good start :thumb: . It doesn't matter what kit you've got you'll be drinking your own beer and you can make improvements as you go along. It's all experimentation really, good luck :

 

[Ceejay]

Nice one mate; you get a real sense of achievement out of that first brew! :thumb:

I'm pretty sure my first 3 brew days have been 7-8 hours long; I think it takes time and experience to cut it down a bit. I'm still weighing out everything before I start anything and probably fannying about quite a bit!

I think the most important thing now is getting to know your equipment (inclucing working your efficiency back) and enjoying it :

Importantly, do you have any form of fermentation temperature control? :geek:

 

[evanvine]

I find setting up and weighing out the day before reduces the brewday time considerably.
If you can, put your HLT on a time switch, that will give you an extra hour in bed!
Sounds like you are doing fine. :thumb:
A chiller will reduce your cooling time, well worth constructing.

 

[Muddy Funker]

Ahh good old steam lol.

On my first AG not thinking at all I boiled for 90mins in the kitchen. Cue rivulets of sticky hop water running down the lovely yellow paint job effectively ruining it!

It wouldn't clean off so I had to re paint the kitchen, so my advice would be boil outside!!!

 

[Vindiv8]

Golden Cornbine was my first AG also. It's just about ready now and is bloody good, I am well pleased. I also built my kit from bits and bobs, and everything works surprisingly well :thumb: Any chance of some picys of your gear?

 

[evanvine]

My main comment is the amount of steam, I have a prefab garage that I use as a shed and water was dripping from the roof!

I also brew in my garage, but put my boiler on a flatbed trolly.
The boiler is wheeled out under the "up and over" door, not a drop of condensation occurs.
The neighbours also get to savour the wonderful aromas.

 

[Baz Chaz]

I also brew in my garage ....
The boiler is wheeled out under the "up and over" door, not a drop of condensation occurs.
The neighbours also get to savour the wonderful aromas.

a strategically placed oscillating fan driving the steam out also helps :thumb:

 

[Vindiv8]

My main comment is the amount of steam, I have a prefab garage that I use as a shed and water was dripping from the roof!

I also brew in my garage, but put my boiler on a flatbed trolly.
The boiler is wheeled out under the "up and over" door, not a drop of condensation occurs.
The neighbours also get to savour the wonderful aromas.

I brew in the kitchen :rofl: I try to keep the ceiling as dry as possible, without swmbo seeing just how wet it's getting. Can't brew in the garage, wouldn't want the car to get wet

 

[Ceejay]

Yeah, I brew in the kitchen (well open plan kitchen/lounge) but when I'm boiling I have 2 extractor fans on max and all the windows open. I also used a plug in dehumidifier on my first brew but that was overkill really.

 

[mattee6]

I also brew in my garage ....
a strategically placed oscillating fan driving the steam out also helps :thumb:

A fan what a good idea! (Shouldn't really mention that I teach physics!)

I saw somewhere (it may have been this site) someone who fitted a tumble drier type tube to vent the steam. Does anyone have any experience of this? Will post piccies maybe tomorrow, def at weekend.


Temp control for fermenting - yes, well sort of. Ages ago I made an insulated box and put a light bulb with a dimmer switch on it, I stand fv on it. It kind of does the job, but, have just dismantled an old wardrobe and may try and make a cupboard with a thernostat in it over the w/e. Could I still use a light bulb?

Anyway, back to the marking!