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Post by OasisNZ on Oct 22, 2006 17:43:14 GMT 12
For ones in the cooler parts of our country, and up this way in the winter, it pays to use bottom heat to assist in fermentation. Well an excellent way of getting this, is to use the element and thermostat from a water bed. There is plenty of those floating around and one can pick them up cheap or a promise of a bottle or two of the good stuff. One element will fit two of the 23 litre plastic fermenters on easily. Excellent tip there meandog, thanks for that.
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Post by meandog on Nov 4, 2006 8:24:40 GMT 12
Well I have just put down the Lemon Wine must, so time will tell. Thats one of the downers of making wine the length of time before the sampling. LOL
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Post by ivyplus on Nov 4, 2006 8:29:14 GMT 12
Well I have just put down the Lemon Wine must, so time will tell. Thats one of the downers of making wine the length of time before the sampling. LOL I rack off the wine regularly and I am SAMPLING every time!
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Post by meandog on Nov 4, 2006 8:57:25 GMT 12
That figures. LOL
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Post by meandog on Nov 10, 2006 7:14:46 GMT 12
Well my Lemon wine is plopping away merrily and tomorrow morning I shall bottle my lager so its all GOOOOOOO!!!!!!
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Dalbyj
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Hope Springs a Kernal
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Post by Dalbyj on Nov 10, 2006 9:22:56 GMT 12
Well my Lemon wine is plopping away merrily and tomorrow morning I shall bottle my lager so its all GOOOOOOO!!!!!! Meandog - if your beer and wine is all GOOOOOOOOO I don't know if I want any!
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Post by meandog on Nov 10, 2006 10:31:25 GMT 12
Go as in GO! LOL.
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Dalbyj
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Hope Springs a Kernal
Posts: 2,378
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Post by Dalbyj on Nov 10, 2006 13:45:38 GMT 12
Thats all right then! I would hate to think you produce goo to drink!
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Dalbyj
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Hope Springs a Kernal
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Post by Dalbyj on Nov 10, 2006 14:40:22 GMT 12
Now, I'm sure some of you lovely people would be able to help.
I have never made wine, and only made beer once with the help of my mother. I would love to do this more often but I dont know what I need to get started. Can someone help me with the basic equipment for making beer and wine?
Pretty please? ;D
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Post by ivyplus on Nov 11, 2006 12:47:38 GMT 12
Now, I'm sure some of you lovely people would be able to help. I have never made wine, and only made beer once with the help of my mother. I would love to do this more often but I dont know what I need to get started. Can someone help me with the basic equipment for making beer and wine? Pretty please? ;D Hello dalbyj! It's really easy and you learn as you go. I am hooked to making wine and beer now. And you can search for wine making gear and I am sure there are some available in your region. Here is what I am usually use: A = Airlock, you fill it half with hot water and the CO2 (which is made by the yeast converting sugar into alcohol) can disappear but the bugs can not get into your brew B = I think they call it a bung. It is a rubber stopper with a hole for the airlock C = Glass fermenting bottles D = Syphon, you will need a plastic tube to syphon off the brew from the debri which builds up on the bottom of the bottle. Hydrometer (you could do without for the start) you can buy at Bin Inn or from TM. You will need it to find out how much sugar is still in the brew. Foodgrade plastic bucket. I got mine from a bakery, they get jam delivered in them. You need it to put the fruits into it at the start. Wine making yeast you can but at Bin Inn. You will need some sugar and fruits. I am sure meandog and me will get you started. Buy a book or get one from the library and just ask if something is not understandable. Hope you have fun.
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Post by meandog on Nov 11, 2006 13:27:05 GMT 12
One of the most important items that is needed is a steriliser. I use Sodium metabisulphate this is readily available at the super markets or Bin Inn. I also use this in my airlocks rather than water. All equipment should be sterilised as this is the reason of failure in any homebrewing. Once this has been done every thing else is easy peasy.I will help to answer questions as Ivyplus and myself have had a bit to do with this fascinating hobby. Hic!
As an addition I strongly suggest as a start have a go at the beers, these are available at Bin Inn or the supermarket as a kit set and very easy to make up. Once you have got the hang of it then you can if you wish move onto the making up of your own recipes.
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Post by ivyplus on Nov 11, 2006 20:51:54 GMT 12
One of the most important items that is needed is a steriliser. I use Sodium metabisulphate this is readily available at the super markets or Bin Inn. I also use this in my airlocks rather than water. All equipment should be sterilised as this is the reason of failure in any homebrewing. Once this has been done every thing else is easy peasy.I will help to answer questions as Ivyplus and myself have had a bit to do with this fascinating hobby. Hic! As an addition I strongly suggest as a start have a go at the beers, these are available at Bin Inn or the supermarket as a kit set and very easy to make up. Once you have got the hang of it then you can if you wish move onto the making up of your own recipes. Yes cleanliness is very important. I sterilise my gear with Milton tablets. So far it has worked. One batch of wine turned into vinegar. But I know where the error was. I have a wooden spoon I use to make ricotta cheese. To make ricotta I use vinegar and stir it with this wooden spoon. Not thinking I used the same spoon to stir the must. Now I have a special wooden spoon ONLY for wine making.
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Post by meandog on Nov 12, 2006 6:43:58 GMT 12
I use a large plastic one for this and it is only used in the brewery,LOL. I have a cupboard on castors with all my homebrew equipment is in and it is not use for anything else in the house. Even measuring jugs have their place in this cupboard.
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Post by meandog on Nov 12, 2006 15:08:47 GMT 12
Oh gawd! I have missplaced my special filler tube that I use to fill my beer bottles, so a panic call to the answerphone at the HB shop "put one to one side for me or order one in". Panic,panic.
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Dalbyj
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Hope Springs a Kernal
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Post by Dalbyj on Nov 13, 2006 8:19:51 GMT 12
This is all great thank you so much!
I have some gear on my TM watchlist so I guess I'm already on my way lol. I will start with a kit set beer as you suggested, meandog, and go from there.
Thanks again!
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Dalbyj
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Hope Springs a Kernal
Posts: 2,378
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Post by Dalbyj on Nov 13, 2006 9:07:44 GMT 12
Lucky for me, I just went to the Library website and found 'Homebrewing for Dummies'!! I've requested it ... so I'm well on my way to starting my brewing career!
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Post by meandog on Nov 13, 2006 9:13:39 GMT 12
There will be no stopping you once you get a taste for it. There is also the satisfaction of knowing it is your own brew which will taste every bit as good as the breweries and doing them out of profit, as well as beating the tax man.LOL.
Dalbyj what is your ale preferences, Lager or Beer? I personally like the lagers I may be able to recommend a nice one for your first go.
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Dalbyj
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Hope Springs a Kernal
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Post by Dalbyj on Nov 13, 2006 12:01:32 GMT 12
There will be no stopping you once you get a taste for it. There is also the satisfaction of knowing it is your own brew which will taste every bit as good as the breweries and doing them out of profit, as well as beating the tax man.LOL. Dalbyj what is your ale preferences, Lager or Beer? I personally like the lagers I may be able to recommend a nice one for your first go. That would be great Meandog ... I do prefer the lagers as well. My husband prefers the darker beers but since I'll be the one making it I get first choice! lol
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Post by meandog on Nov 13, 2006 13:13:42 GMT 12
Well there is a nice Aussie one called Coopers and Lion also have one out which is nice. Both these are available at the supermarkets around here so I expect you should have no problem picking them up. You will need a kilo bag of Dextrose (sugar) with each kitset (tin of malt) If you have not got it already the steriliser as well. Have you got the bottles to put this in when it has fermented? And of course the fermenter barrel and airlock.
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Dalbyj
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Hope Springs a Kernal
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Post by Dalbyj on Nov 13, 2006 13:23:52 GMT 12
Well there is a nice Aussie one called Coopers and Lion also have one out which is nice. Both these are available at the supermarkets around here so I expect you should have no problem picking them up. You will need a kilo bag of Dextrose (sugar) with each kitset (tin of malt) If you have not got it already the steriliser as well. Have you got the bottles to put this in when it has fermented? And of course the fermenter barrel and airlock. Thanks meandog I will have a look next time I'm at the supermarket. I don't have any equipment as yet, I have a barrel on my TM watchlist and I'm keeping an eye out for bottles and an airlock. Just remembered there is a home brew shop not too far from me, might have to check that out too!
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