Recent content by jerdes

Yes, that will work. And yes you would need a heat sink for the SSR like this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005D6145G/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 That setup will give you manual linear control of your temp output. The other suggestion I've seen on here is a SSVR (solid state...

This is just a very rough guesstimate, but suppose you run your 5500w heating element for a total of 2 hours on brew day. 11kwh of power consumption. It would take the average 3kw home solar system a bit under 4 hours to generate that power. A 3kw system will run you about $14k without...

Disclaimer: the following is/was a stupid idea and should not be repeated. I've bottled a batch with just the bell from a capper and a bolt with the correct threads, thus turning the bell in to a punch. Going with the bigger is better theory I used a 4 pound sledge to drive the this capping...

And much like the RIAA, the breweries do nothing to encourage compliance. A simple step would be a better deposit system. Someone who isn't going to get their deposit back because they lost their receipt or had the keg a few days to long has much more incentive to post it for sale on craigslist...

I tried this method with a polarware economy kettle (fairly thin stainless) and it worked great. I used a 5/8" bolt instead of the 1/2", the fit was perfect on the copper fitting with no slop. I also sanded the pvc coupler to match the curve inside the kettle to help even the pressure on it. I...

I spent several years designing prison security systems that use many of the same parts used for building automation purposes. My fermentation chamber controller is a mishmash of Allen Bradley relays & terminal blocks and a industrial 24vdc power supply.

You might want to consider a glycol type heat exchange system. Should be much more efficient and require much smaller piping/ducting than air. I haven't attempted such a project before, but I would think an automotive heater coil and fan inside the chest freezer might work out well. Then inside...

I sanitized with bleach for my first several batches. It works fine, but as others said you have to rinse well which is a risk. I never had an infection going this route, nor a chlorine flavor to the beer. Having done it myself I agree with the above that you are better off with a proper no...

The other constrain is the traces on the circuit board. If the traces were designed for 5A or even 10A and you apply 15A you could release the magic smoke. Once the smoke is released you can't put it back in.

This looks to be the same mill adventures in home brewing sells as the "cereal killer". Theirs comes with a plywood base that fits over a bucket. same construction and same useless hand crank. Got mine on sale for $79. I'm happy with mine. I know some people weren't happy with the units they...

A plasma cutter makes a mess of stainless, I know first hand. my first keggle was cut open by a neighbor who had a plasma in his welding shop. It was not fun cleaning up the cut. Angle grinder and a jig is the best method.

I've had good luck putting a few scoops of oxiclean in the carboy and filling with hot tap water. I just let it sit over night, dump it out the next day and it usually comes out spotless. Have had to repeat the process a second time only once.

Refractometers shine in on the fly measurement of wort on brew day, especially if you are doing all grain. They are invaluable when fly sparging. You don't have to cool the wort and it only takes a tiny sample. They only need correction when alcohol is present. During or after fermentation the...

I just received my cereal killer roller mill from adventures in home brewing, got it on sale for a grand total of $85.44 shipped. Normal price is $99 with free shipping. It came out of the box ready to work. It's basically a barley crusher knock off but built with hardened rollers rather than...

I will have to post pics of mine later. I decided on a good cleaning and leaving the rust and dings for character. using pin lock Kegs I currently have 3 kegs and my bottle inside. If I move the bottle out I can fit 4 kegs. I finished it last Thursday night. Saturday we had a party to celebrate...