BeerBorg

ok..today I plan to buy my first propane tank. after much research and over much worry (needless probably) I am buying one. I hope to hook it up and boil some water as a test today , and brew tomorrow ... weather permitting.

so my understanding:

1. hook it up with all valves off. turn on tank knob fully.
2. mix a soap solution... 1 TBS hand soap to 1 cup water..right? would ivory liquid soap be ok? (rickbeer already answered b4..sorry)
3. apply to all connections and wait... watch for bubbles..if none shut tank and wipe off soap.

do you have to bubble test the line from the tank to the burner? or just a visual? <----

4. put pot with water on burner. open damper to about half on burner. turn tank knob to full. turn regulator one full turn and light burner.. adjusting gas and air as needed so that flame is blue and still on jet ports...right?



question: when it is about to boil do you have to turn the thing off before adding extracts and after mixing relight? or just dump them in and stir? <----- found the answer.. pretty much bringing to boil with extract already added just alters color and maybe adds caramelization.

question: always shut off gas first at the tank right? not the regulator?


as usual I am a mess of excitement and dread at the prospect of brewing with propane. all research shows if I apply common sense everything will be fine but the nature of this beast is insecurity and needless panic. part of my many mental maladies I guess. i'll be patio brewing. I figure anything falling into it will be boiled anyway.. and storing the tank on the patio. hopefully i'll get a tank cover soon to shield it from the elements.

the nice thing is my garden hose will be right there so I can hook up the chiller easily enough.

to paraphrase invader zim... brewing beer marches through my veins like giant radioactive rubber pants. the pants command me! do not ignore my veins!

... as Bob is my witless, I WILL brew again!

Well, I may or may not be doing it right, but the only time I checked for leaks was the first time I used the rig to make sure nothing was damaged. Then again, I did get married to an ER Nurse for a reason. Correct on the blue. Mine is usually correct with the damper wide open.

When doing extracts I add just before it hits the boiling temp which will drop the temperature slightly giving myself some time to stir in and resituate before the boiling starts. Also, I dont have to worry about stirring the pot as much while it heats up.

Hmmm, your turn off procedure makes more sense than mine as it purges the lines. I will have to remember it. The burner valve is closer to me so I always turn that off first. Maybe I will have to change that. But, remember I am married to an ER Nurse so maybe not.

Good luck! You will really enjoy the transition and the impact of being able to do full 5 gallon boils. Plus knowing that at least a few of your neighbours will be peering out their windows and wondering if you are cooking up a batch of meth.

Yes, it is correct with propane or natural gas (grill or burner, not stove) to turn off the supply first and let the lines empty before turning off the burner(s), whether you're married to an ER nurse or not... She doesn't want to see you at work.

I turn my valve on only about a half a turn. That way if there is a problem and I have to turn the valve off I don't need to turn it far to stop the flow from the tank. The valve is designed to not let gas by-pass the valve stem.