6. Equipment Questions
Mashing
6.1 What size sparge arm should I get for my mashing system?
Boiling
6.2 Can I use an aluminum pot for brewing?
6.3 How large a boiling pot do I need?
6.4 Cache Cooker (Outdoor Burner) Questions and Answers
Fermentation
6.5 Plastic or glass, what type of fermenter should I use?
6.6 How do I sanitize your Foam Stoppers?
Kegging
6.7 Should I get a Mini Keg or full sized Beverage System?
6.8 How long do Mini Kegs last?
Bottling
6.9 Can I use twist off bottles?
6.10 How can I remove labels from beer bottles?
6.11 Are oxygen barrier caps worth the extra cost?
6.12 Can I bottle beer in wine bottles or mason jars?
6. Equipment Questions
Mashing
6.1 What size sparge arm should I get for my mashing system?
Use one that is at least 1" less in diameter than your mash tun so the arm can spin.
Boiling
6.2 Can I use an aluminum pot for brewing?
It is best not to use aluminum for brewing, as aluminum reacts with acids in wort. This can lead to off-flavor formation, and some believe the trace amounts of aluminum which end up in the wort are not good for you, although this has not been proven. It is best to use stainless steel or enameled steel when brewing.
6.3 How large a boiling pot do I need?
If you plan on only doing extract brewing, a 5 gallon brew pot will suffice, although a 7 gallon or larger will make your life easier, as you can boil the entire 5 gallon batch, which results in less danger of boil overs and less darkening of the beer.
6.4 Cache Cooker (Outdoor Burner) Questions and Answers
Question: Where is the temperature control on your Low Pressure and High Pressure Burners? On the burner or on the hose?
Answer: The low pressure burner has a gas adjusting valve near the burner, while the high pressure burner has one on the end of the hose, next to the propane tank connection. The low pressure burner allows for a finer range of gas adjustment, which is needed when mashing. The high pressure burner is best for wort boiling, as it will bring 5 gallons to a boil in under 20 minutes (compared to under 40 minutes for the low pressure burner).
Question: What type of gas fittings are on both burners?
Answer: Both burners feature the current barbecue style safety fittings, and will fit current 20 lb. tanks sold in hardware and home center stores.
Question: How long does a standard 20 lb. propane tank last?
Answer: On average, the Low Pressure Burner will run for 15 hours on a 20 lb. propane tank when turned up, while the High Pressure Burner will run for 4 hours on a 20 lb. tank when turned up fully. Keep in mind you usually back off the gas after the wort begins boiling, so your fuel consumption will probably be quite a bit better than these figures.
Question: I want to hold the temperature at 150 F. for an hour when mashing. Which burner should I buy?
Answer: Get the Low Pressure Burner. It features a much finer degree of gas control than the High Pressure Burner. Keep in mind you will have to adjust the heat quite often, and stir the mash, as the burners do not come with any sort of thermostat.
Fermentation
6.5 Plastic or glass, what type of fermenter should I use?
For short term beer contact (under 3 weeks) plastic works well, and has the advantage of being easier to handle and clean. Better Bottles, made from non porous PET plastic, are the exception to this rule, and can be used for long (3-6 month) fermentation and storage times. Plastic can be used for both primary and secondary fermentation, as long as the total contact time of the beer with the plastic is three weeks or less. For long term lagering of beer, use a Better Bottle or glass carboy, as glass and PET plastic is completely non porous, and has the advantage of giving you a good look at the fermenting beer. Many brewers compromise by using a plastic primary fermenter (like the William's Siphonless), and a 5 gallon Better Bottle or glass carboy as a secondary.
6.6 How do I sanitize your Foam Stoppers?
These can be cleaned by soaking them for 10 minutes in dilute Iodophor or Brewer's Edge Cleanser. Then squeeze them to dry. There is not need to sterilize the stoppers, as the steam rising during the boiling of the yeast starter solution or media will kill any bacteria present.
Kegging
6.7 Should I get a Tap A Draft a full sized Beverage System?
Tap A Draft systems are great for brewers who want to try out draft beer and have limited refrigerator space. However, they lack the durability of a full sized Beverage System, and do not allow you to force carbonate beer (or soda) by C02 injection.
If you want a permanent system with maximum flexibility, and have a spare refrigerator, get a full sized Beverage System. If you want to experiment with draft beer and do not want to invest a lot at the start, Tap A Draft Systems are a good way to go.
6.8 How long do Mini Kegs last?
Figure 6 to 12 uses, depending on how well you care for them. They are steel with a lacquer-lined interior, and will eventually rust at the seams or where a dent occurs. Cleaning thoroughly after use, using Keg Lube on the lip of the bung sealing hole, and letting them dry thoroughly will extend their life closer to the 12 uses than the six. You will know a Mini Keg is rusting when the beer gets a slight metallic taste, or by peering through the bung hole with a small flashlight for spots of rust.
Bottling
6.9 Can I use twist off bottles?
Twist off bottles can be used in a pinch, but expect occasional failures to seal, which may ruin a few bottles of beer. This is because the sealing lip on a twist off is very thin, giving the cap less area to seal. In addition, the glass is thinner and weaker, leading to more chips. It is always best to use non-twist off bottles when brewing.
6.10 How can I remove labels from beer bottles?
Use dilute Brewer's Edge Cleanser or PBW cleanser. Use eye protection and gloves for safety when mixing any cleanser. Soak the bottles for 24 hours or longer, until the labels start to lift off the glass. Some labels, particularly waterproof foil labels, are very hard to remove, but many commercial labels will just lift off the glass. Rinse thoroughly when done.
6.11 Are oxygen barrier caps worth the extra cost?
That depends on what you are using them for. Oxygen barrier caps absorb the oxygen out of the bottle headspace. This can help preserve hop aroma in lightly flavored beers, and is recommended for beers bottled for competitions. Keep in mind, however, that most commercial brewers do not use oxygen barrier caps, and great beers can be capped with regular bottle caps!
6.12 Can I bottle beer in mason jars or wine bottles?
No! Beer must be bottled in glass designed to hold the pressure, which are beer bottles, soda bottles, or champagne bottles. Using wine bottles or mason jars is an invitation to disaster, as they will explode as the carbonation builds after sealing.
