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tmckinley80
Joined: 18 Dec 2016
Posts: 18
Location: Huntsville, AL
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 Link Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 3:27 am Post subject: First/Second Brews |
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After getting most of the kinks worked out in my system, most of which were wiring of the PIDs, I brewed my first batch of beer, American Pale Ale. Had a few setbacks, but its a new process so I am having to learn the new system. The major set back was sparging, never have done it with pumps, and I sparged way too fast. Found a bunch of leaks at the fittings even though I ran several test batches. And while transferring to the boil kettle, I ended up with about a gallon of wort on the floor, forgot to close the valve,  ... also still trying to get the hang of Beer Tools Pro, according to my calculations I ended up with a little over 60% efficiency. My setup is in my basement and I thought I cold get away with using a dehumidifier, I was wrong, it was HUMID down there when I was done. I currently is in the secondary and will be kegged tomorrow.
The second brew day was an Irish Red. It went a lot Better. The wife said I needed to make a checklist and post it near the system since I am an aviator and we live by checklist, made things go a lot smoother. No Major issues and about 75% efficiency. Because the wife doesn't want a exhaust hood in the basement I bought an inline fan and ducting, works great. Still working on the sparging, better control this time, but still went quicker than I would like.
Next brew will be a coffee porter. 
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kal
Forum Administrator
Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11122
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter
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| Link Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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Congrats! Sounds like you're getting the hang of it!
Kal
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My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
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dp Brewing Company
Joined: 08 Jul 2013
Posts: 664
Location: Midwest
Drinking: Chocolate Taco, Raspberry Mango Cider, American X, Sandy Dunes
Working on: Nothing
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| Link Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 1:13 pm Post subject: |
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I've found you have to sparge painfully slow if you want great numbers.
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kal
Forum Administrator
Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11122
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter
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| Link Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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Yup. Spend a good 90 mins fly sparging (regardless of batch size). Even 120 can help (if you care about mash efficiency).
Kal
_________________
Our new shop with over 150 new products: shop.TheElectricBrewery.com
We ship worldwide and support our products and customers for life.
Purchasing through our affiliate links helps support our site at no extra cost to you. We thank you!
My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
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Ozarks Mountain Brew
Joined: 22 May 2013
Posts: 737
Location: The Ozark Mountains of Missouri
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| Link Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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the key to fly sparging is to set the mash to boil kettle first and don't touch it after set then only adjust the water to mash based on the site glass level, you might have to play with that to get it right the first few times
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dp Brewing Company
Joined: 08 Jul 2013
Posts: 664
Location: Midwest
Drinking: Chocolate Taco, Raspberry Mango Cider, American X, Sandy Dunes
Working on: Nothing
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| Link Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Ozarks Mountain Brew wrote: | | the key to fly sparging is to set the mash to boil kettle first and don't touch it after set then only adjust the water to mash based on the site glass level, you might have to play with that to get it right the first few times |
I wish mine was that simple. For me it is the flow into the BK that varies. It's like it get clogged or something. The flow is nice and slow, then for no reason it slows down even more. I have to open it a bit then quickly close it back to my mark (sharpie) on the ball valve. Then I'm good for a bit.
I would like to look at other options for flow control.
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Mr Walleye
Joined: 23 Dec 2013
Posts: 71
Location: Ossining, NY
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| Link Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 4:11 am Post subject: Re: First/Second Brews |
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| tmckinley80 wrote: | My setup is in my basement and I thought I cold get away with using a dehumidifier, I was wrong, it was HUMID down there when I was done. I currently is in the secondary and will be kegged tomorrow.
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As a native of the North Dakota I seem to recall North Dakota's too dry in the winter anyway! All that extra humidity was probably good for the skin! 
But seriously though, congrats! Many more good brew days to come!
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