tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066877917844499643.post7691591563037515053..comments2024-02-23T15:34:32.816-05:00Comments on The Mad Fermentationist - Homebrewing Blog: New Homebrewing Gear - Refractometer, Therminator, HopRocket etc.The Mad Fermentationist (Mike)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07379932734747507258noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066877917844499643.post-21318327733423822732012-06-13T09:19:57.004-04:002012-06-13T09:19:57.004-04:00I've been brewing on the same system for 12 ye...I've been brewing on the same system for 12 years or so. Lots of thing are in need of replacement. The old counter flow chiller comes out and I feel like I'm playing russian roulette. The rubbermaid mash tun is cracking on the inside and looking nasty. I'm curious to see how you incorporate your new items since I will be doing the same soon myself.damonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18115178232258930245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066877917844499643.post-39243098136608202322012-06-12T16:28:13.697-04:002012-06-12T16:28:13.697-04:00Is that a hop rocket in your pocket or are you jus...Is that a hop rocket in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?<br /><br />I crack myself up.HolzBrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08551917356646521925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066877917844499643.post-57600161946193758422012-06-12T11:47:36.057-04:002012-06-12T11:47:36.057-04:00My advice is to do a run with water first. My wife...My advice is to do a run with water first. My wife bought me a plate chiller, and I didn't have it set up properly the first time I used it. I ended up breaking a nice brewing thermometer. <br /><br />The next time I brewed, I had built a little stand for it, and it worked way better. After I mash, I clean out the MLT, and then run PBW, hot water and then sanitizer through it. Keeps it from getting clogged, and it's basically a closed system at that point until I am ready to clean after.Kevin LaVoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03422429428826110381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066877917844499643.post-65662305873206857852012-06-11T23:13:06.707-04:002012-06-11T23:13:06.707-04:00I use a pair of Vittles Vaults (large pet food sto...I use a pair of Vittles Vaults (large pet food storage bins with gamma seal lids) for Maris Otter and Pils malt, and I have two 5-gallon buckets with gamma seal lids for all my specialty grains (which are individually sealed in hand-vacuum-sealed Ziploc baggies). Works like a charm. I keep everything in my basement, which is cool but can sometimes get a little damp, and I've had no problems.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066877917844499643.post-64367023627225466002012-06-11T22:00:19.609-04:002012-06-11T22:00:19.609-04:00Gamma seal lids for bulk grains and a food saver v...Gamma seal lids for bulk grains and a food saver vacuum sealer for specialty grains has been the best combo for me.<br />The plate chiller can be a bit of extra effort to clean and keep from clogging, but they seem to be a bit more efficient for water usage. Plus, now you can use your old immersion chiller as a water pre-chiller.sigsegv42https://www.blogger.com/profile/07481036641493595382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066877917844499643.post-58858905746007852722012-06-11T21:32:54.625-04:002012-06-11T21:32:54.625-04:00new equipment will always throw a wrench in things...new equipment will always throw a wrench in things. my setup is similar to yours (hopback, plate and frame chiller and pump) - only after I mimicked <a href="http://thebrewingnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=22567&start=48" rel="nofollow">Tasty's setup</a> did I start having decent results. best of luck.seeandyspinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04966192473420976488noreply@blogger.com