sonetlumiere85
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2008
- Messages
- 389
- Reaction score
- 5
Hey guys,
I just joined these forums the other day, and I'm definitely learning a lot, this is a really neat place. I started my first batch of home brew on Friday night, a True Brew red ale kit - it was a fun experience for sure. I'm pretty sure I slipped up here or there, but practice makes perfect, right? Anyway, I have a handful of questions in all sorts of areas, so I guess if anyone is in the mood to answer common questions, that'd be great!
Sanitizing/Cleaning - I used C-brite, which was included in my kit, to clean my fermenter bucket, airlock, and lid. However, the kit didn't come with enough to clean the bottling bucket as well, so I've yet to do that. However, with a potential deadline of this Friday for bottling, I want to make sure to have supplies on hand. I got some Oxy-Clean at the store, and a "alternative" bleach, which is hydrogen peroxide and water. Would I be able to achieve satisfactory cleaning and sanitizing by using the Oxy-Clean, rinsing with hot water, then using the peroxide/hot water to sanitize? I've read that other one-steps break down to peroxide to achieve their sanitation, so I would think that the same result would be possible with the real thing.
Secondary Fermentation - Since I'm brewing a red ale, I've read that secondary fermentation (out of bottle) isn't necessary - the True Brew instructions don't mention it, they just say to go primary fermentation -> bottling bucket/sugar -> bottling. Is secondary a common practice when brewing ales? I've heard that it is beneficial for clearing sediment and such. Should I bother with this first batch?
Is it done? - I've read lots of different things about when primary fermentation is finished, and I'm somewhat surprised that my yeast is as inactive as it currently is. The yeast picked up very quickly, starting to bubble within 2 hours, and it had been quite vigorous up until later today, which I'm thinking may be a temperature thing. The temperature started on the high side, around 75, then fell to 68-74, where bubbling was most active; now it is around 65, and the bubbles are very far apart (30+ seconds, erratic). My apartment uses radiators, so I've been careful to control the heat. Related to this is darkness - I've been covering the fermenter during the day with the oversized box it came in, to keep things dark, but then I take the box off at night, could that affect yeast activity? I should note that I anticipate waiting the full 7 days, since I'm still about 10 bottles short.
Crushing the barley? - I realized after I finished steeping my barley that I might have been expected to crush it before steeping, which I didn't do. I still got a nice golden yellow color out of it, and some good aroma, too, so I don't think all is lost, but my directions didn't indicate that crushing was necessary. Anyone have any insight on this?
Also, I used my bathtub to fill the primary fermenter with cold water for the initial wort chilling - I'm thinking that its the same water, so there shouldn't be an issue, and I know water is a big point of contention, but does this sound like an outright bad idea to anyone?
OK, I think that'll do for now. Sorry for all the questions, but ever since the kit and ingredients came, I've been spending basically every waking minute studying these topics and more. I look forward to any answers! Thanks again
I just joined these forums the other day, and I'm definitely learning a lot, this is a really neat place. I started my first batch of home brew on Friday night, a True Brew red ale kit - it was a fun experience for sure. I'm pretty sure I slipped up here or there, but practice makes perfect, right? Anyway, I have a handful of questions in all sorts of areas, so I guess if anyone is in the mood to answer common questions, that'd be great!
Sanitizing/Cleaning - I used C-brite, which was included in my kit, to clean my fermenter bucket, airlock, and lid. However, the kit didn't come with enough to clean the bottling bucket as well, so I've yet to do that. However, with a potential deadline of this Friday for bottling, I want to make sure to have supplies on hand. I got some Oxy-Clean at the store, and a "alternative" bleach, which is hydrogen peroxide and water. Would I be able to achieve satisfactory cleaning and sanitizing by using the Oxy-Clean, rinsing with hot water, then using the peroxide/hot water to sanitize? I've read that other one-steps break down to peroxide to achieve their sanitation, so I would think that the same result would be possible with the real thing.
Secondary Fermentation - Since I'm brewing a red ale, I've read that secondary fermentation (out of bottle) isn't necessary - the True Brew instructions don't mention it, they just say to go primary fermentation -> bottling bucket/sugar -> bottling. Is secondary a common practice when brewing ales? I've heard that it is beneficial for clearing sediment and such. Should I bother with this first batch?
Is it done? - I've read lots of different things about when primary fermentation is finished, and I'm somewhat surprised that my yeast is as inactive as it currently is. The yeast picked up very quickly, starting to bubble within 2 hours, and it had been quite vigorous up until later today, which I'm thinking may be a temperature thing. The temperature started on the high side, around 75, then fell to 68-74, where bubbling was most active; now it is around 65, and the bubbles are very far apart (30+ seconds, erratic). My apartment uses radiators, so I've been careful to control the heat. Related to this is darkness - I've been covering the fermenter during the day with the oversized box it came in, to keep things dark, but then I take the box off at night, could that affect yeast activity? I should note that I anticipate waiting the full 7 days, since I'm still about 10 bottles short.
Crushing the barley? - I realized after I finished steeping my barley that I might have been expected to crush it before steeping, which I didn't do. I still got a nice golden yellow color out of it, and some good aroma, too, so I don't think all is lost, but my directions didn't indicate that crushing was necessary. Anyone have any insight on this?
Also, I used my bathtub to fill the primary fermenter with cold water for the initial wort chilling - I'm thinking that its the same water, so there shouldn't be an issue, and I know water is a big point of contention, but does this sound like an outright bad idea to anyone?
OK, I think that'll do for now. Sorry for all the questions, but ever since the kit and ingredients came, I've been spending basically every waking minute studying these topics and more. I look forward to any answers! Thanks again