Save Time, Money, and Headaches!

[@WildcatWarrior15]

Us newbies to homebrewing stand on the shoulders of the greats that came before us who blazed the trails to greatness. We salute you 🤙🤙

[@MatnissEverdrink]

Picking up some magnets for dry hopping 🤯

[@BlueChecker]

I started sparging with cold water and haven't looked back. Hasn't affected my beer, and it simplifies brew day. Simple = good.

[@afinecupofcoffee8476]

Mom got me an inkbird for Christmas and I'm using it for the first time. I have it connected to my seed starter mat set to 71F in our shed and we're in NC where it's also cold as shit right now. But it's maintaining temperature. I love it. My biggest regret was starting with a fermenter that didn't have a spigot. I bought into the "bottling bucket/secondary fermentation bucket" nonsense because I knew nothing. This is how I ended up with an oxidized kolsch.

[@seriomarkj]

Always love the tips no matter how many times I have heard them...for me the best tip since I boil I'm a 8 gal kettle is to get a spray bottle to spray down the foam to avoid a boil over

[@johnwiswall7344]

Yeah, i'd say biggest sadness came with pouring extract into a hot kettle on a fire. Never got that black stain off the bottom. Always be stirrin'.

[@nelathan]

Probably THE best tips compilation

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

🍻

[@AHawkins2004]

This is a REALLY good tips video for homebrewing. The magnet tip is genius!

[@dibbsonline]

You don't need gas to test a keg braj, just boil a pint of water and tip it in close it up and give it a shake, it will build pressure in the cold keg. My pro tip is add a pinch of meta with that water to take out oxygen and use that boiling hot water to pasteurise the keg, and connect a liquid disconnect to pasteurise that too and blow it all out, then you don't get oxygen in your beer via water from cleaning. While we're at it, no chill means a closed hdpe container rather than just letting your shit cool on the porch like a gypsy.

[@bobbob-ze9zo]

like # 320 - What my home brew book by Charles Papazian is out of date. I remember buying it in 1994. It was my first book and got me started.

[@krisiglehart3061]

My first beer was a Mr Beer kit, for what it is, it's good beer.

[@brewinfusedyeti3798]

My biggest tip of all time is: if you enjoy the hobby, invest in better equipment over time. You don't have to buy all the nice stuff day one but you should gradually improve your gear. It will keep you involved while reducing effort.

[@ClawhammerSupply]

He’s on a roll, folks! Nice vid, CH.

[@gregorystephens9669]

My tip is using Kerry FermCap S to avoid boil overs. Supposedly it’s similar to Gas-X and we’re all familiar with it! A couple of drops per gallon of wort and you can avoid that monster of foam that hits you unexpectedly at boil!

[@deckerhand12]

I have taken to experimental Brewing starter method of shaken, not stirred for Sparging I use a 5 gallon bucket with a heater pacifically for heating water in buckets. Along with a tea kettle support in my grain basket

[@budkingston3347]

Good compilation video. My liver sends it’s approval.

[@gregms7661]

I have a tip For oxy clean. If you live near a dollar general buy the dollar general brand oxy clean. It’s literally have the price for a big container.

[@JBernhard72]

NO tape on flare fitting, use a "cone" washer if the fitting does not already have one .... also no tape on the CO2 tank, just the flat washer.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Quick tip videos rock! Yeah, stay away from kegerators until you have to.

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

💯

[@boredbeingbored676]

great summation

[@andrewpatterson8222]

Congrats on 40k subscribers.

[@62Bojangles]

pro tip, wait newb failure here.... chilling when no cold water is available... I put my claw hammer in snow... snow melted... beer tipped over... tears ensued.

[@TheBruSho]

I got one to add: buy the larger co2 tank, recently filled both a 5lb and 10lb tank and the bigger one was only $5 more to fill and lasts many months longer!

[@vruychev]

Arguably the best tip in this video is to keep up with the most recent information! Cheers brajes!

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

💯

[@davidcollett1847]

Nice video man I'm a hour from fermentation station lol I know the pain of nothing around

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

Tell me about it

[@smgri]

All great tips thanks ! ❤

[@joshspencer1934]

BIAB is the best tip ever. I did 3 vessel back in the day because BIAB had some weird stigma because people didn’t get the efficiency. 3 vessel takes FOREVER and costs 3x what BIAB does. I wish I knew that back in the day. Now I do BIAB or use my brewzilla and brew in half the time. Which keeps me in the hobby since I have kids and time is limited

[@pjoter2243]

That's a good brush tip braj 😉

[@gileus1]

I'd say the number one thing I learned is never buy new if you can help it. Especially fridges and freezers, I have never paid more than $40 for one. I've followed so much advice from this channel and saved me so much time and money.

[@gnomebrewing]

Great tips! Especially the one about outdated brewing information. While the basics are the same, techniques, equipment and ingredients have changed a lot over the years.

[@fox189]

Totally agree! I started back in the early 2000's and then took awhile off. When I got back into it. It was like like things were not the same and all these new techniques and yeast and so on were available. I think one of the best things I have heard from HB4L and many others is get to kegging your beer as fast as you can. Bottling is just to much time and trouble. Gnome love your set up and have thought seriously about the brewha system. One of the breweries we love going to has the 3brl system, and they love using it. Cheers!

[@gnomebrewing]

@@fox189 great to hear. The brewha has some positives few systems can touch but also some negatives other systems avoid. That being said, its been a rewarding experience and I've loved the good and the bad.

[@n4d3m4n]

I regret buying a 6.5 gallon fermenter. Wish I got a 7. 5.5 gallon batches over 1.060/14 brix just love to explode out of my fermenter. Also, get a consistent efficiency and don't sweat the dong measuring contest of the efficiency games. Better beer is consistent, efficiency doesn't affect flavor unless you can't control it.

[@chumprock]

Seeing that old dial temp controller gave me PTSD. Even had to wire my own A14 before all these cheap ones came around.

[@smirnov2520]

Все верно, все по делу...👍👍

[@westwardsmile]

Sous vide magnets and using a sous vide to hold temps is such a big brain move

[@PartyTimeBrewing]

Click roulette! You never know what video you're gonna get! Great tips! My favorite tip is to just brew a lot, it's the best way to get better. Cheers!

[@RichardDePas]

I've learned to not fear PET. I use plastic soda bottles for growlers or add a T piece with a couple ball lock connectors and they can be used for pony bottles with a small CO2 regulator and a party tap.

[@justhomebrew]

My biggest regret is not buying hops in bulk sooner! I love the magnetic dry hop idea. I’m so going to try that trick.

[@Rubio_Eric]

Also, make a starter for your yeast. Especially if its expired.

[@Rubio_Eric]

And use starter in a can....much easier.

[@Hannes_Lind]

Pro tip, dont forget to stirr when using spraymalt for a starter, it will turn to toffé in the pan if you dont stirr it constantly and also boil over as soon as you turn your head away. Oh and if you use tap water to brew with check with your provider what measurments the minerals are at and set that as an template in your brewing software for accurate salt additions.

[@michaelwigen1360]

Been brewing since 97. Excellent tips! Agree 100%.😉

[@PconeMelon]

Great video dude! I’ve been missing your old stuff though. Seeing you brewing, having a good time with your bros, blasting the millennial references, getting to learn from your experiences, and feeling like we’re there with you. That’s what it was all about for me man. I know you moved and all, but hope to see some more good ole fashioned grain to glass videos with some healthy MBCs my dude! Cheers from a Socal Homebrewer!

[@chozomonkey]

I know you're not the biggest fan of saving yeast, but my tip would be to learn about saving yeast and making yeast starters. It saves money (about $5 a brew day if you reuse yeast, and I really only have 3 yeasts that I cycle through), and teaches you a lot about yeast health and how yeast affects fermentation.

[@mcwhitie]

Great stuff, CH. You left out the best tip you ever taught me... Pre-Chill your ground water before sending it through your chiller. I do this for immersion or counterflow. Groundwater is warm in Vegas nearly ten months a year. This saves me so much time on a brew day, and I almost never forget to make the ice myself.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Great tips as always, congrats again on the big 40! One more tip to add: take apart and clean ball and butterfly valves from time to time. They don't always get as clean as everything else

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

💯

[@chrispermann3396]

Same with plastic Spigots! i ferment in plastic buckets with the Italian spigots and i pull them out and soak in hot water and OxyClean rotating the handles to get all of the gunk out of them. semi time consuming but helps with prolonging life of your equipment, i also clean the gaskets after every use too.

[@nicklancaster3190]

I have wasted so much time aggressively cleaning lines, and buying expensive stuff when buckets from bigbox stores works and vinyl tubing is fairly cheap. Starsan is still a staple for me, but oxyclean is replacing pbw for me for sure. Great video sir

[@nsmith1388]

Encourage everyone to try no chill at least once. I posted last video on my dual no chill… well, they came out fantastic. Brew day was so short. Will be doing it again for sure! Love the content!!

[@duanewhittle2992]

Biggest regrets is buying a glass fermentor. Also, trying to have closed transfer. Went back to my plastic fermenters and using Verdant yeast. Getting better results for hazy’s with that. Most important thing I did was a chest freezer for fermentation.

[@jasonlash544]

Pro tip, when cleaning draft lines, use a keg and hook an air compressor up to the gas post. dont waste your c02 on cleaning solution. also, flare fittings should NOT have teflon. Dont use DME for a starter, use cans of proper starter and water bottles OR just pitch the yeast straight in! also, when installing teflon, wrap it on in the direction of the threads, that way it wont want to come undone as you thread on the female fitting.

[@ferrisr]

Don't use teflon tape on flare fittings. It won't do anything for you, because that's not how those connections seal to begin with. Make sure you have the little plastic seal that goes in there instead; that compresses between the two flares. The flare nut isn't sealed on the back-end, so sealing the threads isn't going to help you with leaks. You need the two sides to physically compress and seal together. And if you're going to use OxyClean, use OxyClean Free and not the regular off the shelf stuff. But PBW also has TSP in it which helps it break down organic matter better, so it does work better. Up to you if it's worth the extra money.

[@mikoajstawowy8036]

A small tip that might bring some peace of mind to all the impatient guys overthinking if the yeast are done with their job. When you're ready for pitching yeast, put a cup of wort aside in a jar and add a bit of yeast to it - use leftovers from the starter flask or the glass you rehydrated it in. You could even use some other type of yeast. Keep the jar for 2-3 days in room temp. and let it ferment out. When the yeast are done, you should get an estimate of how fermentable you wort actually is and what readings can you expect from the samples taken from the fermenter later on.

[@imacracker515]

Holy shit Sidekicks! I watched that movie so many times when I was a kid. Love the nostalgia your videos bring.

[@christopherc8833]

I agree with all of these, sous vide magnet dry hopping hack is my favorite. Pure genius!

[@pjoter2243]

This oven rack is genius idea!

[@anti-air-conditioning]

Hell yes, right on time. Got some pilsner base. Also Vienna, Munich, Amber and flaked corn. The Klarstein Mundschenk is ready to party

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

💯

[@theronjclark]

thanks for the share...be safe man......

[@vitae8700]

Dude I live in northern BC and brew outside in the winter in -20 C. Harder to maintain a good boil but the party must go on. Love you vids. Great info 👍

[@nrhurley117]

Hearts broken. Rule 1 is always be chill; no matter wut.

[@bre08005]

Nice! Info packed in tighter than me in an undersized hand-me-down speedo during highschool water polo.

[@Funpants94]

is there a reason you have not gone the duotight route? Looking to make a keezer and duotight seems pretty slick.

[@TheDraughtLine]

Love these lessons learned kinda vids. Your channel was the one responsible for finally pushing me away from glass cartboys. What a pain to clean up. Kinda cool to get back into brewing after almost 4 years away from it. Things have changed.

[@nhender]

Great video!!!!

[@harperjmichael]

Use a freeze pop stick to chill your wort in your hydrometer tube. While waiting for wort to chill to transfer to the fermenter get your sample then stick a freeze pop down in it to chill it down. About 3 freeze pops gets you to nearly 70 degrees and makes for less error in temp correcting your Original Gravity.

[@thomaswyrick4648]

Here's another power move. Buy an induction range. I can run an 8gal kettle on mine. Heats up super fast. Probably faster than most 220v electric systems. It also just makes day to day cooking that much better.

[@ElementaryBrewingCo]

Ahh yeah!!! Great tips and loving the edits braj!

[@gerardnatale2387]

I finally got quick disconnects and they definitely make brewday a lot easier! Cheers!

[@timothywilliams2021]

Another cost cutting tip i sometimes plan out 3 or 4 brews to use the same yeast strain and reuse yeast. I plan milder lighter beers first so it doesn't carry flavors with the yeast. I dump cooled wort straight into fermenter with yeast from last batch. I also add yeast nutrients at end of boil. It kicks off fast and hard because there is already a ton of active yeast. I've never had a problem with it. Only thing to worry about is blowoff.

[@timothywilliams2021]

@@GR333NZ0 Yeah. I do starters when I'm opening a fresh pack. For some reason a lot of people seem to think you can't reuse dry yeast but i do. Usually have 4-5 mason jars of yeast in the fridge as well. Well worth the savings.

[@robertsampson8278]

My favorite DIY of all time is using a brew bag in my igloo cooler instead of wasting a ton of money on a false bottom.

[@gamefreeks]

I love you dip tubes

[@adamsandoval730]

Tim the brewman Taylor.. 🔨👨‍🔧👨‍🔬🍺

[@garyeurice8867]

I own the Amazon 2-roller mill in this video (Because CH literally gave it to me a couple years ago). It's still going strong and I'll never go back to pre-milled grain. Once I dialed in my crush, my mashes became so much more consistent.

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

💯

[@ussmak2902]

No chill is my go to. You just wait a little more time, but basements are usually around the 50-60 degree mark year round here so it makes for perfect pitching temperatures for ales which are mostly what I brew and saves on water. Now that I have the space, I'll be upgrading my game to BIAB pretty soon. Then I can buy everything in bulk and cut costs. Thanks for the tips man, the are greatly appreciated as always.

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

🍻 ❤️

[@JimP226]

Not sure on using Teflon tape on every fitting. I had a laugh when I saw you show it used on conical/flared fittings. Using Teflon tape on these can actually cause leaks by interfering with the mechanical seal. Also screw clamps on CO2 and beer lines is garbage. Always use proper compression single ear pinch clamps. I've lost probably 50lbs of CO2 using gear clamps. Even when tested with no leaks, over time they will leak. Also PBW has TSP in it as well as Oxyclean. TSP powder is really cheap too, I mix 1/3rd TSP and 2/3rds Oxy in a container and boom I've got legit PBW.

[@EnclaveZA]

OK so I can understand the Mr Beer kit not being as useful as the bucket fermenters(what I use) BUT I've brewed some of the tins and they aren't terrible as a start! BUT AGAIN I want that barrel fermenter it looks cute 😂😂😂😂😂

[@diabeticstrength6564]

amazing video. I work for a supply shop in SJ,these are solid

[@onlyaftermeat]

Great video! Thanks for putting this together and sharing.

[@adambee2224]

The adjustment of brew day in a new town, I know the feels. I moved from Nashville to South of Denver. I haven't had a great beer yet, don't know if it's altitude, high strike temp, slow chilling since my pipes are winterized and sink is too small to chill indoors, not warm enough inside basement for kveik yeast... maybe one day I'll figure out a really good oxidized ipa Thanks for making videos again braj

[@kacperzielinski9870]

Getting my first inkBird😁😉. Perfect vid, short and informative. 👍

[@SmokeNFermentables]

I learned the hard way but always check your ball lock connectors before use to make sure the spring isn’t sticking. Could stick because not properly cleaned or (like in my case) the plastic piece was not the perfect size from manufacturer so spring would stick open.

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

💯

[@maptap6654]

Nice video, cuts WAAAY down on the BS. Following the trends I will be fermenting under pressure next batch, 20psig+ in a 10 gallon corny. Spundit 2.0 spunding valve and Flotit 2.0 floating dip tube. Bought the extension so I can CO2 purge my 5 gallon serving cornies while I am fermenting, love the no waste approach. At first I was sad I spent over 75usd on a spunding valve, but holding it in my hand now it feels legit. Hopefully I am as happy with this setup as everyone who has tried it seems to.

[@mntucket7410]

Define "Freezing Cold" I question your toughness.

[@johnlbanks]

Awesome points. Awesome video. Much love Braj.

[@BillBrews]

I know you love the magnets for dry hopping and I tried it a few times but my hazy IPAs tend to have 5-6 oz of dry hops. C02 is heavier than air so if fermenting in a bucket (I do) when you lift the lid up don't take it off the whole way and there will still be a blanket of C02 on the top of the beer. I also tend to dryhop with a couple points left to go so I figure the rest of the fermentation will take care of any oxygen that gets in (if any). I love that your making videos again. I watch a ton of them when i got into brewing heavy

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

Thx for watching!

[@humzilla707]

I think the main point is you're flushing all the oxygen out of the hops and bag when they are in the head space. But ya I just drop mine in when fermentation slows., Could be losing some aroma that way tho.

[@dudestewbrews]

As always! Great tips! I use a handful of these myself. See you on the stream tonight.

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

Chea braj!

[@CityscapeBrewing]

I got to get some of them magnets... I've seen you guys use those all the time and I'm still just throwing a bag in the lid. Getting some now! 🍻

[@heindaddel7074]

Use any old magnet you have laying around for the outside and a spoon for the inside, no need to buy anything!

[@Demicron]

Each tip is more powerful than the last? So first tip is best?

[@jaggersbrewingco]

Pretty much all these are great tips! Great job!

[@iMac1971]

Great video with awesome points. I’ve learnt so much over the years of brewing from the likes of you and others. It’s like learning to cook you master your craft to your liking. I live in the uk and brew extract kits in winter and all grain the rest of the year as don’t have room indoors to fire up and have a sauna indoors.

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

Good stuff!

[@jamescrabtree72]

Great tips. quick question, now that you are using the Claw Hammer system would you be willing to recommend it? I watch their channel and have been looking at buying one for a while now. I know a lot of other brewtubers love them but the price tag seems high compared to like an anvil or brewzilla. You seem more down to earth and relatable in terms of whether or not something is really worth the money so I would appreciate your opinion.

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

Yes, absolutely

[@jamescrabtree72]

@@HOMEBREW4LIFE Damn you were quick with that. Alright thanks. Make sure you tell Kyle and Emmit & Co you are sending business their way next time you hang.

[@wyatth4497]

Love you man!

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

🍻

[@TheMechanicalBrewer]

Great advice CH! Nice vid keep up the good work 👍

[@kevinfidler8074]

Good video! You should call the video "just the tips" I think my favorite tip Id recommend that I do is naturally carbonate beer in korny kegs if you brew larger scale. Allows you to store large amounts for long periods of time. 2nd being #11 rubber stoppers that come drilled through will fit sanke kegs and airlocks. Making the most affordable stainless steel fermentor.

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

just the “tri” tip 🥩

[@kevinfidler8074]

@@HOMEBREW4LIFE Just a thought, invite tim from cigars daily to do a hoppy hour live video about pairing cigars and beer

[@humzilla707]

Yo that oven rack tip will work great on my grainfather s40 to squeeze in some extra ABV.

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

💯

[@mbrantner57]

I've learned a lot from you, braj. Thanks for your weekly dose of entertainment and inspiration!

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

Much love my dude! 🍻

[@jusj4138]

I've used months ago outdated liquid yeast with literally zero problem, but I've always made starter to figure if it's good or not. Plus I use mostly American yeasts and live in the other side of Atlantic, so I figure they hold up transportation quite good.

[@eddiane]

Cold side MAKES the beer. Most new brewers forget to control the fermentation. Dependent on style and type of yeast used. Keep it in range. Ive seen some beginning fermentations raise 10 degrees f above ambient temp. It can be the difference between beer and really good beer.

[@BW-zs2ds]

Agreed. A crusty old character from my local home brew store wouldn’t sell me anything until I went away and bought a used fridge for fermenting in. He was upfront and said he will make a lot more money from me if my first beers are good, and temp control is number one.

[@this_is_stupid-x3b]

I tried those dry hopping magnets too, partly because the theory behind them was so logical and sounded like such a smart hack. But of course, nothing in life ever is that simple. Unfortunately what happens is the sack of hops gets saturated with moisture during the first several days of fermentation and forms into a solid lump of sh*t. When you take the outside magnet off, the ball drops and doesnt really hopify the beer. It just drops to the bottom bc of its sodden weight (and the weight of the other magnet), and sits there, imparting very little hop flavor. The hop pellets dont have a chance to dissolve or disperse and get spread around. Id save your money on the magnets and just open the lid quickly and throw hops in. Whatever oxygen that gets in, will be quickly expelled by the ongoing fermentation, out through the airlock. Ive had better luck doing it this way, and I think oxidation isnt really a worry this early in the ferm process...Love your videos man, you keep me laughing and I was glad to see you move across country and take a chance with life. Your new place is pretty nice too. Try to enjoy the seasons there, its supposed to be a perk, you know :)

[@timothywilliams2021]

C02 is heavier than air. I don't know why people worry about oxidation from opening the fermenter. Literally have a protective layer of co2 if the airs fairly still. I used to worry about it and purge c02 into the fermenter while adding hops. Now i don't. Either way I've never had an issue with it.

[@Rubio_Eric]

This reminded me that I need to clean my keg lol!

[@losdaghost7688]

As always, great advice!

[@rustedrootbeer]

Do you use regular Oxi Clean? I've only ever used the Oxi Clean Free (the perfume free) in place of PBW. Works great.

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

The one that says “versatile” on it 🍻

[@codebowl]

Do you really use that OxiClean that you showed in the video? I have been using the green one without any perfumes but if that yellow one works fine then I will give that a shot as it is a bit cheaper and comes in larger tubs. HAH I am currently in that no gas situation. I have a 10lb tank but with the shortage they are not filling the 10lb so I need to buy a 5lb for a backup since those are everywhere.

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

Yeah braj! Ive been that oxiclean for years 🍻

[@codebowl]

@@HOMEBREW4LIFE cheers, I will give that a shot.