thanks, guys. floating therm sounds like the ticket until I can afford a pot with a temp gauge. I'll report back my results I advance to drinking it.

On Black Friday. It's a Dunkelweizen and I think I came out okay. I think my main issues for my first batch were, not knowing how hot my burner could get so quickly, ease of getting the extract out of the cartons, and measuring the wort post boil in the ice bath. on the last point, i measured...

thanks, guys. Sounds like I can at least use one for sparge water at the very least.

My sister-in-law gave me two 5 gallon orange water coolers she didn't want anymore. Can I make 5 gallon all mash batches with that or will there not be enough room for the water and grain required for a 5 gallon batch?

I'm in California so I'm mostly trying to make sure the place I put my fermenters doesn't get too hot. I can't seem to find an amp. Would the thermometer I use to measure liquid temp be accurate? Say in a closet or garage? I'm working on a chest freezer, heating pad set up for the future, but...

I’ve been to one brew day at Steinfillers here in Long Beach, CA, but thanks for the tip.

Instead of putting it all in 12 oz bottles, is there anything wrong filling a growler or two? Also, I got some ginger brew rubber stoppered 22 oz bottles from Trader Joe's, I believe I read here those are okay to fill, but these are green glass. Is green glass not as effective against light as...

Seems I joined the right ka-tet. Next question, spigot or no spigot? My concern is the spigot being so close to the trub, it might drag it in to my bottling bucket.

I'm going to be brewing 5 gallon batches and I’ll be fermenting in the starter kit buckets. When I upgrade ( Xmas around the corner as is my birthday) should I ask for 7 gallon fermenters? Give myself a little room in case of a blow off (think i am using that term right) or in case i end up with...

that is the question. Do you need to secondary ferment? Should you Secondary ferment? I've heard that secondary ferment if you are adding stuff. Fruit, nuts, dry hopping? Thanks for the info as always, peeps.

Thanks, guys, great advice!

Hey, guys, I haven't started brewing yet, just saving my money and researching, but I have a few technical questions I need answered to point me in the right direction with regards to my gear. So, my plan is to extract brew for a few batches until I feel confident enough in my set up and...

Man, you guys make me feel a little embarrassed that i don't hit breweries more often. I live in Long Beach, CA and I can nearly throw a rock from my house and hit a brewery(Timeless Pints). In the last year and a half, 4 breweries have opened in a 3 mile radius from my house (Long Beach Beer...

I've been doing that, watching vids. Getting my starter kit soon.

Thanks all, I think an Amber to start, seems like a lot of the starter kits come with that. I want to get my methods down before I try anything too tricky.

I've yet to brew my first batch, but I think I'm about a month away. Just trying to learn as much as possible before the big day.