Pros and Cons of Glass Carboys, Forgetting to Take Gravity Readings, & Using DME to Make Yeast Starters – Ep. 349

Homebrew Happy Hour

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September 21, 2023

Pros and Cons of Glass Carboys, Forgetting to Take Gravity Readings, & Using DME to Make Yeast Starters – Ep. 349

Howdy, Brewer!

A link for the Premium 18+ Liter Ball Lock Kegs we discussed in this episode: https://www.kegconnection.com/18-liter-ball-lock-keg-fully-remanufactured-aeb-safer-cornelius-see-description/

We hope you’re excited and ready for another episode of our weekly Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!

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On Today’s Show:

Pros and Cons of Glass Carboys, Forgetting to Take Gravity Readings, & Using DME to Make Yeast Starters

00:00:00 – 00:13:19 Sponsors & Small Talk
00:13:20 – 00:17:03 Listener Feedback
00:17:04 – 00:33:14 Pros and Cons of Glass Carboys
00:33:15 – 00:43:30 Forgot to Take Gravity Reading

00:43:31 – 01:00:35 Using DME to Make Starters

Links for this episode:

Wide Mouth Glass Carboy – https://amzn.to/3LsB8ys

Hydrometer– https://amzn.to/3RuwfIZ

Dry Malt Extract– https://amzn.to/3EN0Eec

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Let us know what you think and enjoy the show!

cheers,

joshua

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Thank you to our show’s sponsor, Imperial Yeast, for supporting us and the homebrewing community. Learn more about why we LOVE Imperial Yeast by checking out their entire line, available at https://www.imperialyeast.com/

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This episode is brought to you by, Muntons Malts – a company that is passionate about providing premium malts to brewers worldwide. YOU can experience the difference Muntons offers by joining a recipe receiving tier of our Trub Club because every kit that ships out now includes premium Muntons Malt, join at https://www.patreon.com/HomebrewHappyHour

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Elevating Homebrewing Precision: Why the INKBIRD ITC-308 is a Game-Changer for Homebrewers

Homebrew Happy Hour

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September 14, 2023

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Elevating Homebrewing Precision: Why the INKBIRD ITC-308 is a Game-Changer for Homebrewers

In the rapidly evolving world of homebrewing, the quest for precision, consistency, and quality is eternal. Whether you’re a novice trying to avoid that first disastrous batch or an experienced brewer seeking to fine-tune your favorite ale, one element remains crucial: temperature control. This is where the INKBIRD ITC-308 temperature controller comes into play, emerging as a revolutionary tool for homebrewers. This article will delve into why this piece of equipment can be such a game-changer for your homebrewing adventures.

The Importance of Temperature Control in Brewing

Before delving into the specifics of the INKBIRD ITC-308, it’s crucial to understand the role temperature plays in brewing. From the initial steps of mashing and fermentation to the final stages of bottling and conditioning, temperature exerts a pervasive influence. Deviations can result in off-flavors, poor yeast performance, and a range of brewing faults. In simpler terms, if you want good beer, you must control your brewing temperature.

Features of the INKBIRD ITC-308

Here’s what is included when you receive your Inkbird ITC-308

Dual-Stage Temperature Control

One of the standout features of the INKBIRD ITC-308 is its dual-stage temperature control. Not only can you use it to heat, but you can also use it to cool (Temperature Control Range：-50~120°C / -58~248°F)! This is critical during fermentation when maintaining a stable environment for yeast activity is crucial. You can connect a heating pad to the heating outlet and a refrigeration unit to the cooling outlet, and the INKBIRD will toggle between them to maintain the set temperature.

Plug-and-Play Setup

If you’re intimidated by the complexities of electrical wiring and setups, fret not. The INKBIRD ITC-308 offers a plug-and-play design that doesn’t require any complicated setup. Just plug your heating or cooling devices into the corresponding outlets, set your desired temperature, and let the device take care of the rest.

High Accuracy and Precision

With an accuracy level of ±1°C (-50 ~ 70°C) / ±2°F (-58 ~ 160°F), the INKBIRD ITC-308 is a highly reliable device for controlling temperature. When the stakes are high, especially during the fermentation phase, this kind of precision is invaluable.

Affordable

For all its capabilities, the INKBIRD ITC-308 comes at a surprisingly affordable price point. This is a huge benefit for homebrewers who may be operating on a tight budget but still desire a high level of control over their brews.

Excellent Protection for Outstanding Safety

The INKBIRD ITC-308 features compressor delay protection which is a safeguard that ensures the compressor does not cycle on and off too quickly. This helps prolong the life of your fridge/freezer/fermentation chamber and is a feature we certainly appreciate!

Built-in Alarms

The device features alarm functions for high and low-temperature limits. This is particularly useful for monitoring your brew when you can’t be physically present. If the temperature fluctuates beyond your set limits, an alarm will sound, allowing for prompt intervention.

Real-World Benefits for Homebrewers

The INKBIRD ITC-308 Mounted on a Keezer for Temperature Control

Consistency Across Batches

The INKBIRD ITC-308 enables you to recreate successful brews with a high degree of accuracy. By controlling temperature precisely, you eliminate one of the major variables that could otherwise result in batch-to-batch inconsistencies.

Experimentation with Confidence

For those who love experimenting with different types of beers, the INKBIRD ITC-308 provides the control needed to try out different fermentation profiles, yeast strains, and recipes, all while knowing that temperature won’t be a wild card in your experiments.

Time and Energy Efficiency

With automated temperature control, you free up your time and mental energy to focus on other critical aspects of brewing, like ingredient selection, mash efficiency, and sanitation.

Eliminates the Need for Constant Monitoring

The INKBIRD ITC-308’s built-in alarms and dual-stage control mean you can set it and forget it. No more constant checks or manual adjustments to maintain the right temperature.

The ITC-308 Mounts Easily & is Conveniently Accessible When You Need To Adjust It

Versatile Device for Various Temperature Controlling Scenarios

While we focused primarily on how a homebrewer would implement the INKBIRD ITC-308, it is worth noting that this product is also extremely useful for temperature controlling aquariums, terrariums, incubation set ups, and, really, any scenario you might find yourself needing precision temperature control. Given how affordable the ITC-308 is, it isn’t unlikely that I pick up another 1 or 2 for additional fermentation uses or other home projects I’ve got going.

Conclusion

In the age of smart technology and automation, the INKBIRD ITC-308 stands as a stellar example of how intelligent design can significantly benefit a traditional craft like homebrewing. By offering precise, dual-stage temperature control in an easy-to-use, affordable package, the INKBIRD ITC-308 has truly emerged as a game-changer in the homebrewing community. For anyone serious about brewing high-quality beer at home, incorporating this device into your setup can be a transformative experience.

Check out our unboxing & initial configuration video!

Converting a Fridge into a Fermentation Chamber, Using an Immersion Chiller as a Jockey Box Coil, & Should I Be Using RO Water for My Sanitizer – Ep. 348

Homebrew Happy Hour

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September 14, 2023

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Converting a Fridge into a Fermentation Chamber, Using an Immersion Chiller as a Jockey Box Coil, & Should I Be Using RO Water for My Sanitizer – Ep. 348

Happy to see you, my friend!

A link for the Premium 18+ Liter Ball Lock Kegs we discussed in this episode: https://www.kegconnection.com/18-liter-ball-lock-keg-fully-remanufactured-aeb-safer-cornelius-see-description/

Thank you so much for joining us for yet another episode of our weekly Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!