Just started.

[softlad]

It sounds like a long but productive day Robdog

I thought that the boil in my H&G boiler was too vigerous with one element on.

[Robdog]

Maybe i thought you had to boil it more vigourously than you actually have to. Ill stick to one element next time. I did have the boiler by the back door so maybe that cooled the wort down a little.

It certainly has been a l;ong day mate but i rekon next brew i can shave at least 1 1/2 hours off todays time.

Another stupid mistake i made was forgetting to aireate the wort. Mind you i did let it run direct from the boiler into the FV and there was a decent drop so im hoping this will be sufficient.

[SiHoltye]

If you took about a sample jar's worth now and put it in the freezer you could defrost it Friday and measure your OG

[Robdog]

If you took about a sample jar's worth now and put it in the freezer you could defrost it Friday and measure your OG

Just done that mate thanks for the suggestion. I suppose the yeast wont do anything if its in the freezer anyway. Ill take it out Thursday night

[DarloDave]

All these threads are just making me even more eager to start in January! actually pretty excited about it, just hope its as good as everyone makes out!

[mctoon]

All these threads are just making me even more eager to start in January! actually pretty excited about it, just hope its as good as everyone makes out!

Borodave, start imediately, espeially your location, a stones throw from the H&G!!!!! me and my mate did our first 3 batches last weekend, hard work but great fun, im already hooked!!!!!


Cheers Mal

[DarloDave]

my parents live in darlo too so thats even better, i can get them to go for me . I gotta start in January cos thats when i'll be getting money, but cant wait! 4th jan wil be my first brew day i hope

[softlad]

All these threads are just making me even more eager to start in January! actually pretty excited about it, just hope its as good as everyone makes out!

You wont be disappointed. I dont think I've seen a post by anyone saying all grain brewing is ok but I'm going back to kit brewing because I get better results.
It takes a bit more time but you are a lot more involved in the process rather than just adding water to a couple of cans. Then theres the aromas from the malt and hops and the initial taste from the sampling jar where you get an idea of what you're about to brew.
I find it quite relaxing to take half a day out to brew and sort out those little odd jobs while waiting for the mash and the boil.

[Robdog]

Well its started fermenting. There not much of a crust on it though, infact theres less of a yeast crust than i got on my kits so im hoping my not aireating enough doesnt effect the brew.

[Robdog]

My conerns about the amount of yeast crust were not a problem as tonight its basically exploded lol. Ive skimmed it twice and just had to give it a good gentle skimming again as the head was literally taking the lid off my FV and thats only just under 20ltrs in a 25ltr FV.

It just seems to keep expanding which tbh im happy about