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8/27/2012 -- I am interested in recommendations for CLEANING a glass (5-gal) carboy. Overall, the carboy is in great shape (no films, build ups etc), it's in good enough condition I would consider it "new". I have SanStar for sanitizing it, but I haven't done an initial cleaning. What should i use? I read about 10:1 bleach cleaning (10 parts water) I've . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Both Super Grunge Remover and One-Step are great for cleaning glass carboys. See links below
I would NOT use bleach for that purpose. It's an effective sanitizer, but not that great of a cleaner. 10:1 ratio is also WAY too much bleach. We've smelled/tasted too many beers ruined by the use of bleach.
4/11/2012 -- what is the inside diameter of the mouth?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Approximately 1.25"
It accepts a #6.5 stopper or alternatively a "universal" stopper (see links below)
7/27/2010 -- I want to buy a kit that would enable me to do both beer and wine. A friend argues I should go with the wine kit and add the beer brewing stuff. Please let me know exactly what I need to purchase.
Also, I intend to use ceramic top beer bottles for my beer. What's the best way to clean them? Do you sell the rubber piece (gaskets) they . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: In general, I would say your friend is on the right track, assuming you have a lot of flip-top bottles around. Those bottles are pretty handy.
If you are thinking of making wine from your own juice, fresh fruit etc, then the 5 gallon wine making kit is a good choice. If you want to make wine from our varietal wine kits (an excellent way . . .
5/17/2010 -- what is your phone number?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We can be reached at (425) 355-8865
Our toll free order is (800) 850-2739
11/17/2009 -- I have been looking at a lot of different home brewery kits on the internet. What is the difference in the performance between plastic and glass (carboy) fermenters?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The selection of fermenters is entirely a personal choice. Some like to make larger batches, some smaller. Usually a home brewer or winemaker ends up owning several carboys, fermenters etc in order to properly age his brew.
Plastic has the advantage of being rugged and light weight. It CAN become scratched, however, and doesn't seem to . . .
7/17/2009 -- Is a 5 gallon carboy big enough to secondary ferment a 5 gallon batch of beer?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: As a secondary fermenter, yes. This assume that the bubbling has slowed down considerably by the time you transfer into the carboy.
I would not use it as a PRIMARY fermenter, however if you hope to yield 5 gallons.
2/21/2008 -- My question is regarding the stopper that you offer with you carboys and fermenters. Specifically, what size tubing should I purchase to use as a blow off to fit these?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The 5/16" ID tubing works well. A tight fit, but it goes in.
2/21/2008 -- Will using a 6 gallon glass carboy for secondary fermentation be a problem if the batch of beer is only 5 gallons?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Ihave never found it to be, particularly if the beer is still "slightly" fermenting at the time you transfer it. The fermentation gives off CO2 which helps to protect your beer from oxidation.
1/26/2008 -- I live about an hour (if traffic is good) from the address on your website. Do you have an actual store or is everything here based solely online?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we have an actual brick-and-mortar store in Everett, WA. People actually walk in and buy stuff!
Our address is:
Homebrew Heaven
9109 Evergreen Way
Everett, WA 98204
Here is a video of our shop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1a5fKvv8XI
Heck, you can actually call us on the phone, too! It's 425-355-8865. A person will . . .
8/21/2006 -- I just bought a 6 gal glass carboy locally.It was the largest one they had. I want to use it for a primary but you recommend a 6.5.Would it work with an air lock or should I avoid problems and use a blow off tube?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I would use a blowoff tube at the beginning. You can always replace it with an airlock if it allows.
Too many variables here... unknown beer/wine, unknown yeast, temperature etc etc. Only guessing.
7/25/2006 -- The starter beer brewing kit I bought (from a different supplier) is set up for a single stage of fermentation. My beer has turned out pretty good so far. What is the benefit of expanding my process to include a secondary stage of fermentation?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: There are two drawbacks to single stage fermentation (clarifying and trub removal).
We like using a 2-stage fermenation system. You will end up with a clearer beer, and you avoid off flavors (from the trub, or "crud") if you leave your beer in the fermenter too long. All of our kits are 2-stage systems.
5/16/2005 -- i am new to this, and i have seen and heard of people using plastic buckets for final fermentation, their purpose for doing this is so they can attach a spigot to the bucket for bottling, is this ok to do or is glass the better choice? thanx again and i find that you question and answer part of the site to be very helpful
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, that can be done, but we prefer to use the plastic "bucket" type fermenter for the primary fermenter, and using glass for the secondary. We like the bucket for ease of cleaning, and besides, your beer is only in there for a few days to a week or so. We find glass to be better for clarifing your beer, however. This is not to say you CAN'T . . .
3/13/2005 -- I'm just getting started brewing and I had a question. As a primary fermenter which is better, plastic bucket, plastic carboy or glass carboy. Then for secondary fermentation, plastic carboy or glass carboy?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You will find that brewers have different preferences. Personally, I like the plastic bucket for a primary. It's inexpensive, and easy to clean. For the secondary, I like glass carboys. Glass seems to cause the beer/wine to clear better. If I had a lot of money, I'd probably get a stainless steel Fermenator.
2/27/2005 -- Do I really need a glass carboy or can I just use two of the plastic ones? Is there a taste difference or is it just for the looks? The plastic seems easier to clean, lighter, and cheeper.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No, there is no taste difference as long as you mean OUR plastic (food grade) carboys. Glass seems to cause more sediment to "settle out", however.
5/14/2004 -- I bought 2- 5 gal carboys. what do I do if the amount of juice I have don`t fill the carboy to the top? will it be ok if when I rack the juice won't fill to the top, or does it matter if it fills to the top of the carboy?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: For the primary fermentation, that shouldn't be a problem. Some headspace is actually desirable in the early stages to accomodate the foaming that takes place.
As your wine is "racked" (siphoned) to a secondary, it becomes more important. If you are bulk aging in the carboy (for a long time), it is best to "top off" your carboy with a . . .
2/28/2004 -- Being new to the home brew scene, I had a question about glass carboys. During the fermentation process, due to it being clear glass, do I need to keep it somewhere void of light?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It takes quite a LOT of light to harm beer or wine. Flourescent light and direct sunlight are the worst, and regular (incandescent) room light is much less harmful, so usually this is not an issue.
There is certainly no harm in covering up your carboy, however. Many people do; using old t-shirts, and even specially designed carboy covers. . . .
2/16/2004 -- I haven't seen one on the site, but do you plan on carrying the v vessel fermentation system? Also I was wondering if you have any thoughts on colored glass carboys, and if you know where to find them, that is if you don't have the ability to special order them. I have found antiues, but for the price it doesn't seem logical to use them in . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We can certainly special order a V Vessel if you like. We just don't have any experience in using them, is all, and we like to try out a system like this before offering them.
Sorry, we don't have access to colored carboys. Just clear.
12/19/2003 -- I am having trouble keeping the temp in the room I am making wine between 70 and 75 degrees as specified in the wine kit I have. I live in Colorado and often the temp at night dips way down, and in the day it can get quite warm. I am not around at all times to adjust the thermastat. Could I solve this problem by wrapping the carboy with . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Sure. We have a Brew Heat Pad that works very nicely. It's basically a hard plastic heating pad for carboys. If it's too warm during the day, just get a cheap lamp timer, and have it turn on only at night.
Here is a link:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&ProductID=1129
10/23/2003 -- I noticed most of the malt extract brew kits are 5 gallon batches. Will a 5 gallon carboy be sufficient for fermentation, or will I need a 6 gallon carboy to allow for foaming? Thanks, I'm new to this.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We recommend going larger for the primary. That's why we put 6.5 gallon plastic fermenters in our equipment kits. You can use a larger carboy of course, but the 6.5 gallon "bucket" type fermenter allows for the foaming, doesn't break, cleans up easier, and is less weight for shipping. Hey...we were all new to this at one time. No shame in . . .
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