Two burner test

I hooked up the two burners and operated both at the same time. I now know I can get them both to burn at the same time. Of course I still have to make sure I still get good performance out of each burner.


The next step is to get the gas plumbing properly sealed and attached to the stove. I have been working on some brackets but still need to add some holes to the frame.

Two burners

Ater receiving my burner I installed it in the burner shield. This burner was assembled at the correct angle to fit my burner shield so I didn't have to take it apart to make modifications like the first one. However, the mounting screw size was changed to a larger size than the first burner so I had to drill out the holes in the shield. This was a lot easier than modifying the burner angle though. Once installed I hooked the propane directly to the burner just to make sure there were no problems. Now it was time to put together a gas distribution system. I want to be able to operate any comination of burners from a single propane source.

I picked up some parts at the local hardware store. I assembled the pipes and valves hand tight and without sealant so I could do a quick test of the distribution system. I want to make sure I will be able operate two burners simultaneously.

Winter hibernation

I haven't posted in a while but that is because there hasn't been any brewing activity to report. Last Saturday, Februrary 4th, I ordered a new burner and lpg orifice from Brewers Hardware . I haven't received it yet, in fact it hasn't shipped yet. As I haven't heard anything from them I really don't know when it will get here. The communication is not the best but I guess a dependable quality product is really more important. That is why I continue to buy from them. I have started planning the gas distribution system in anticipation of receiving the burner. I will post some pictures as soon as I can get the installation started. On a side note: I was planning to purchase two burners thinking it would save on shipping but that isnt always true. The cost to ship one burner is about $11, the cost to ship two is $56. I can't figure that one out but I am at least smart enough to know I don't want to buy two burners on one order. I will wait to place a second order once I receive the first.
Update 02/14/02: I have received notification that my order has shipped.

9 Foot bottle caps

On Saturday December 31st I bottled the Holiday Ale (name changed to 9 Foot Winter Ale) that was brewed October 8th. I probably could have let it sit awhile longer but I figured 12 weeks would be enough. Plus, I couldn't wait to use the cool 9 Foot bottle caps I got from my daughter for Christmas. The caps went on just like the generic ones I have always used before. I will know in a few weeks if they sealed as well. I have always written the batch number on the bottle cap as a way to identify the beer, with the printed caps I needed a new method of identification. My wife, Teri, quickly thought of the self adhesive "dots" we had in a cabinet. It was a great idea. Could they be a precursor to an actual label?

the crazy 8 is good to go

I opened another bottle of the Crazy 8 Ale on Friday the 23rd. There was carbonation this time. What a difference that makes, flat beer just isn't very good.

The Crazy 8 is not ready

On Friday I opened a single bottle of the Crazy 8 ale. It was not carbonated and was flat with no bubbles. I looked at the remaining unopened bottles. There was some sediment in the bottom so I turned them all over and gently swirled them to mix the yeast back into suspension. I will wait about another week to check again.

The Crazy 8 is bottled

Saturday, December 10th, I bottled the Crazy 8 Amber Ale. In the past, with this particular beer, I have fermented one week in the pail then one week in the carboy. This time it remained in the carboy for two full weeks. It may just be my fuzzy memory but this beer seemed exceptionally clear compared to previous versions. The amber ale is usually best when young and fresh so I plan to drink a few at Christmas. I bottled 12 x 22 oz. bottles and 27 x 12 oz. bottles. The number of bottles is only incedental to the time involved. Botting and capping itself does not take very long and can I usually get help with this part of the process. As anybody who has done this before knows, there are a several other steps involved besides bottling. Bottles, the bottling bucket, and the racking cane all need to be sterilized. The priming sugar has to be boiled and cooled. And, since I now add dry yeast each time I bottle, the yeast has to be measured and rehydrated. I have been experimenting with the amount of yeast to add. I want to minimize sediment but want enough for good carbonation. I know that the additional yeast may not be required in all cases but is good insurance. In the past, before I started adding yeast at bottling, I had a couple of under-carbonated beers. Of course after the bottling is done everything has to be cleaned.