22 replies to this topic

[BrewerGeorge]

I just realized today that I've been getting my brewing water from an outside house bibb because that's the only way I can get unsoftened water.

Problem is that I need to turn those faucets off during the winter. I used to have unsoftened water in the garage sink that I used, but a couple of years ago I changed it when I thought I'd never brew again.

Not sure what to do yet.

[MyaCullen]

I just realized today that I've been getting my brewing water from an outside house bibb because that's the only way I can get unsoftened water.

Problem is that I need to turn those faucets off during the winter. I used to have unsoftened water in the garage sink that I used, but a couple of years ago I changed it when I thought I'd never brew again.

Not sure what to do yet.

that why I am  fair weather brewer

[Bklmt2000]

I just realized today that I've been getting my brewing water from an outside house bibb because that's the only way I can get unsoftened water.

Problem is that I need to turn those faucets off during the winter. I used to have unsoftened water in the garage sink that I used, but a couple of years ago I changed it when I thought I'd never brew again.

Not sure what to do yet.

 

George, any chance you could change the garage sink back to be able to draw unsoftened water?

[Area Man]

We can get 5 gallon jugs of it at the grocery store quite cheap here.

[MyaCullen]

We can get 5 gallon jugs of it at the grocery store quite cheap here.

yeah the RO machine water is an option

[Darterboy]

[Mike Green]

Are both the hot and cold water feeds soften? I thought people with a water softener only treated the hot side before the hot water tank. 

[positiveContact]

can you just turn the faucet on to fill up some buckets and then turn them off?  if my outside faucets were my only option this is likely what I'd do although I might have to shovel sometimes to get to the spigot.  or maybe do you have a valve to drain the line in your basement that wouldn't be softened water?  I have a few of these.

[matt6150]

Move

[positiveContact]

Move

 

def easier than doing a little plumbing

[djinkc]

Replumbing the sink sure sound easier.

 

George, any chance you could change the garage sink back to be able to draw unsoftened water?

This

[Big Nake]

I have heard of people placing a bypass on the softened water source so you can grab unsoftened water. Also, FTR... I use my outdoor spigot (behind the garage) all winter long to connect to my immersion chiller. I connect it, use it, disconnect it. I have brewed when it was 0° outside. So you should be able to collect that water regardless of the temps.

[BrewerGeorge]

Brewing water is less of a problem than chill water. I could use RO from my own faucet to be with.

[denny]

 

Several people on the AHA forum have posted about bad experiences with many machines.  Despite the service stickers on them, water tests have found that water is not pure.  Not on every machine, but more often than not. I'd advise staying away from them or buying a TDS meter to make sure the water is what it says it is.

[Big Nake]

Several people on the AHA forum have posted about bad experiences with many machines.  Despite the service stickers on them, water tests have found that water is not pure.  Not on every machine, but more often than not. I'd advise staying away from them or buying a TDS meter to make sure the water is what it says it is.

I think the key here is to not assume that RO = distilled. RO does not equal distilled because distilled should be ALL ZEROES and RO would probably have very low ions, generally. For brewing purposes, RO could be low enough in ions that it doesn't matter much. But I did send an RO sample to Ward Labs and found that the water still had high TDS and bicarb (the bicarb was 50ppm which does not sound very RO to me). So if you don't know what's in the RO water... how can you know your starting point in terms of brewing?

[denny]

I think the key here is to not assume that RO = distilled. RO does not equal distilled because distilled should be ALL ZEROES and RO would probably have very low ions, generally. For brewing purposes, RO could be low enough in ions that it doesn't matter much. But I did send an RO sample to Ward Labs and found that the water still had high TDS and bicarb (the bicarb was 50ppm which does not sound very RO to me). So if you don't know what's in the RO water... how can you know your starting point in terms of brewing?

 

Let's say for brewing purposes, RO should be low enough in ions.  If RO is done correctly, it should be functionally interchangeable with distilled.

[Big Nake]

Let's say for brewing purposes, RO should be low enough in ions.  If RO is done correctly, it should be functionally interchangeable with distilled.

Agreed. If you had your own RO system at home and you maintained it properly then you would be in good shape. But you have no idea what you're getting at these RO machines and that would probably drive me nuts because how do you know how much CaCl or CaSO4, etc. to add if you don't know your starting numbers?

[3rd party JKor]

Can't you just use the hose bib for brewing then drain it again when you're done?  They also make insulated covers for hose bibs.  Not sure if that would work where you are.

[Darterboy]

Several people on the AHA forum have posted about bad experiences with many machines.  Despite the service stickers on them, water tests have found that water is not pure.  Not on every machine, but more often than not. I'd advise staying away from them or buying a TDS meter to make sure the water is what it says it is.

 TDS meter ordered.

[MyaCullen]

 TDS meter ordered.

which did you get?