Jim's Beer Kit

How's this going? Have you managed to sort it out?

Guy

Perhaps you could contact the company, explain the situation, and ask if they could service the handpump and fit new rubber seals.

It would probably cost you a bit, but better than throwing the thing away.

Guy

MashBag wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 16, 2023 8:57 am

Genuine question, is £43 per sack delivered good then?

Odd! I've just checked and it's £28.70 for 25kg, plus £6.75 delivered by DPD. Total of £35.45, not £43.

Guy

Well, something new to learn every day! Thanks.

Guy

Confused! Why does it say 'cider' on the bottles? Is it already fermented? I thought you made your own.

Guy

You can also buy one like this that that gives you the wort original gravity as well as Brix. https://www.amazon.co.uk/AUTOUTLET-Refractometer-Aluminum-Specific-10%C2%B0C-30%C2%B0C/dp/B07CCH49DY/ref=sr_1_4?c=ts&keywords=Refractometers&qid=1688380280&s=kitchen&sr=1-4&ts_id=3579771031&th=1 Remember t...

This is as good as any, if you want a hand held one. You'll need to convert the Brix reading to gravity. Plenty of on-line converters available. For a quick 'rough' conversion, multiply the Brix by 4.

If you fancy spending a bit more, then a digital refractometer is worth getting.

Guy

Hi. When you say the gravity was lower after the boil, do you mean you measured the gravity in the kettle before running the wort off?

Or do you mean the gravity dropped after running the wort from the kettle and after you'd sparged and squeezed the hops?

Guy

I would not bother with either. It does not need digital accuracy. Gycol is actually a less effective coolant (it's antifreeze qualities is why it is used) Those bits ain't broke, don't fix them until they are. Or.. Just don't waste money you could spend on beer. 😂😂👍🏻 Any fridge repairer will regas...

Hi.

I think there's an impeller in the ice bath to stop it freezing solid. It could be that which is causing the banging noise. Perhaps, if the impeller isn't working, the whole unit won't work. Some sort of safety thing, perhaps?

Others will know more.

Guy

Insulation? Silver backed mats cut to shape and size. Double layer. I think they're yoga mats, but not sure.

Guy

Ah, the bucket of water--a different question! At the end of every fermentation I empty the water out of both the two cooling coils and attached pipes. This is so the lid of the fermenter can be taken off and cleaned. At the beginning of fermentation I need to refill the system. So I turn the pump o...

The maxi 110 is on all the time, so there's always an ice bath. The pump comes on as needed, with ice cold water immediately available. happy to answer any questions you might have. Guy Guy, Can I ask why the ice bath? Was the chiller not able to keep up? Or is it "quicker with a buffer tank". Look...

It's a wonderful thread to read. So much info. But, as an amateur home brewer, I think all I need to know is how to reduce my alkalinity and which salts to add on brewday--Graham's calculator helps with this.

But please keep going, PeeBee and Eric.

It's a joy to read your discussion.

Guy

Hodda wrote: ↑

Thu May 11, 2023 8:09 pm

Ok, so my flojet has a kettle type lead that plugs into and gets power from chiller.

Can I chop off the kettle end, fit a plug and then have it controlled independently via inkbird?

Any chance of a couple of photos, please? I'm not quite following what you're asking.

Guy