Homebrewing is not for the faint of heart; however, once you learn the ropes, you’ll find it just as relaxing as we do! While it may seem obvious that one of your first purchases will be a simple how-to book, it can be hard to know where to go after that. Books and guides are fantastic for getting your feet wet, but they simply can’t teach you everything a seasoned expert knows. For beginners who are looking for a bit of help, we’ve developed a list of the top home brewing tips for the experts — Italian brewers!
Take a Trip to the Dollar Store
To make your cleaning process a bit easier, try taking a trip to your local dollar store! Specifically, you’ll want to look for foil trays designed to fit under your burner. For those who do you boil on your stovetop, you’ll know the painful mess that a boil-over can cause. Save yourself the mess and invest in some of these cheap time-savers. All you’ll have to do is remove the burner from the stovetop before you plan to start boiling. Then, place the foil tray beneath your burner. Voila! In the case of a boilover, the mess will only take seconds to clean up.
Invest in a Home Brewing Kit
Home Brewing Kits are a great place to start, especially for beginners. While you may want to invest in a bigger kettle once you get started, home kits are perfect for a beginner. For those who are looking for some general recommendations, we recommend checking out 52 Brews’ list of their favorite brewing kits this 2018. Otherwise, make sure to do the proper research before you invest in a kit.
Try Making Your Own Yeast Starter
When you speak to a seasoned homebrewer, one of the first things they’ll advice is to start using your own yeast starter. Not only will it give a personal touch, but it will give you a much better chance of getting a strong primary formation phase. This can also be a healthy and safer alternative to using store bought yeast starters as it reduces the chance for contamination.
Utilize your Dishwasher
While it may seem like a bit of an obvious tip, you should make sure to utilize your dishwasher to the fullest of its ability! These machines often make the bottling process significantly easier, giving you a chance to save your energy for the much more enjoyable parts of homebrewing. For example, there’s a chance that you can use your dishwasher to sanitize your bottles! Newer dishwashers will have a special cycle, specifically used to sanitize dishes, featuring hotter water and a longer cycle.
In addition to this, it’s also a good idea to try bottling on top of the dishwasher. For those who are prone to spills, this can be a great way to minimize mess. Try placing your bottling bucket on top of this counter while you bottle on the open lid. This allows any spills to drain into the dishwasher and will save you plenty of time in cleanup.
Homebrewing can feel difficult when you’re first starting out. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in this journey! All experts were once a humble beginner, and in a short amount of time, you’ll be able to learn the ropes. Whether you’re looking to minimize your cleaning time or are going to try out your own yeast starter, there’s something in this list for everyone to attempt. Try applying the above tips to your practice and you’ll be light years ahead, making the process seem far less intensive and far more fulfilling!
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