Re: Brewing containers?- Attn. Zoe

[Guest guest]

On May 6, 2009, at 10:30 PM, zoew wrote:

> Jeff, those metal spigots would be far more dangerous than the

> plastic.

Why do u say that Zoe?

While you're here: is it necessary to have a container with a spigot?

Can you brew with stainless steel, or it has to be glass?

Thanks,

Vicki

[Guest guest]

The ONLY metal safe around KT is Stainless Steel. If you are so

concerned about the plastic spigots I suggest you not use spigots

at all. I've been using plastic spigots for several years now

with no problems whatsoever. In fact I paid EXTRA to get the

plastic instead of the standard brass spigot.

zoe

2dc wrote:

> On May 6, 2009, at 10:30 PM, zoew wrote:

>

>

>> Jeff, those metal spigots would be far more dangerous than the

>> plastic.

>>

>

> Why do u say that Zoe?

>

> While you're here: is it necessary to have a container with a spigot?

>

> Can you brew with stainless steel, or it has to be glass?

>

> Thanks,

> Vicki

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

I think that certain metals are acceptable but not all of them. I'm not sure

personally.

I don't think the metal from the Crate and Barrel container would be an issue

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=395 & f=23882 & q=glas+jars & fromLocation\

=Search & DIMID=400001 & SearchPage=1

But I'm not sure.

The reasoning for a vessel with a spigot would be to continuously brew the

kombucha, merely draining the brew and adding more tea without having to take

out the scoby, etc.

>

> > Jeff, those metal spigots would be far more dangerous than the

> > plastic.

>

> Why do u say that Zoe?

>

> While you're here: is it necessary to have a container with a spigot?

>

> Can you brew with stainless steel, or it has to be glass?

>

> Thanks,

> Vicki

>

[Guest guest]

On May 6, 2009, at 10:42 PM, zoew wrote:

> The ONLY metal safe around KT is Stainless Steel. If you are so

> concerned about the plastic spigots I suggest you not use spigots

> at all. I've been using plastic spigots for several years

> now

> with no problems whatsoever. In fact I paid EXTRA to get the

> plastic instead of the standard brass spigot.

>

> zoe

Thanks Zoe...

Have you ever tired to brew without a spigot? What is the purpose of

the spigot? Is is just for ease of bottling? I'm thinking that the

culture (if it stays in the jar) might get in the way when pouring,

but can you take it out and then fill your bottles? If yes, then I

think for me, I can just use the plain jars.

Any thoughts all?

Vicki

[Guest guest]

I brewed in gallon jars for quite a few years before ever hearing

about the continuous brewing system. The spigots make things

easier. No need to disturb the scoby every time. Yes you can

remove the scoby, Rescue your brew in whatever containers you

choose and then refill the container with sweet tea, the scoby

and a bit of the finished KT to prevent the scoby from molding. If

this extra work doesn't bother you

and makes you feel better than using the plastic spigot, then by all

means this is the way you should go.

This is the beauty of KT, there are many many right ways to

brew and one of them at least should fit into your lifestyle.

zoe

2dc wrote:

> On May 6, 2009, at 10:42 PM, zoew wrote:

>

>

>> The ONLY metal safe around KT is Stainless Steel. If you are so

>> concerned about the plastic spigots I suggest you not use spigots

>> at all. I've been using plastic spigots for several years

>> now

>> with no problems whatsoever. In fact I paid EXTRA to get the

>> plastic instead of the standard brass spigot.

>>

>> zoe

>>

>

> Thanks Zoe...

>

> Have you ever tired to brew without a spigot? What is the purpose of

> the spigot? Is is just for ease of bottling? I'm thinking that the

> culture (if it stays in the jar) might get in the way when pouring,

> but can you take it out and then fill your bottles? If yes, then I

> think for me, I can just use the plain jars.

>

> Any thoughts all?

>

> Vicki

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

The purpose of the spigot would be to continuously brew without need to

drain and then refill a jar. The spigot makes it more convenient and

less time consuming if one were to always brew and want it constantly going.

2dc wrote:

>

>

>

> On May 6, 2009, at 10:42 PM, zoew wrote:

>

> > The ONLY metal safe around KT is Stainless Steel. If you are so

> > concerned about the plastic spigots I suggest you not use spigots

> > at all. I've been using plastic spigots for several years

> > now

> > with no problems whatsoever. In fact I paid EXTRA to get the

> > plastic instead of the standard brass spigot.

> >

> > zoe

>

> Thanks Zoe...

>

> Have you ever tired to brew without a spigot? What is the purpose of

> the spigot? Is is just for ease of bottling? I'm thinking that the

> culture (if it stays in the jar) might get in the way when pouring,

> but can you take it out and then fill your bottles? If yes, then I

> think for me, I can just use the plain jars.

>

> Any thoughts all?

>

> Vicki

>

>

[Guest guest]

I wouldn't even trust the stainless steel.

I recently drank KT out of a stainless steel travel mug and the

metallic taste was very distinct!

Gayle

On May 6, 2009, at 11:50 PM, 2dc wrote:

>

> On May 6, 2009, at 10:42 PM, zoew wrote:

>

>> The ONLY metal safe around KT is Stainless Steel. If you are so

>> concerned about the plastic spigots I suggest you not use

>> spigots

>> at all. I've been using plastic spigots for several years

>> now

>> with no problems whatsoever. In fact I paid EXTRA to get the

>> plastic instead of the standard brass spigot.

>>

>> zoe

>

> Thanks Zoe...

>

> Have you ever tired to brew without a spigot? What is the purpose of

> the spigot? Is is just for ease of bottling? I'm thinking that the

> culture (if it stays in the jar) might get in the way when pouring,

> but can you take it out and then fill your bottles? If yes, then I

> think for me, I can just use the plain jars.

>

> Any thoughts all?

>

> Vicki

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Gayle,

some things that purport to be Stainless really aren't and if it

left a taste in your mouth I'd be willing to bet

that it isn't. True stainless steel is NON-reactive. But yes

prolonged contact with any metal is not advised. I use stainless

strainers and funnels - exposure is brief so not problematic.

Once upon a time we were advised to remove rings and things

whilst handling the scoby. I would think this to be very good advise

but have not heard it spoken in quite some time.

zoe

Gayle Marks wrote:

> I wouldn't even trust the stainless steel.

>

> I recently drank KT out of a stainless steel travel mug and the

> metallic taste was very distinct!

>

> Gayle

>

>

> On May 6, 2009, at 11:50 PM, 2dc wrote:

>

>

[Guest guest]

On May 6, 2009, at 11:02 PM, zoew wrote:

> I brewed in gallon jars for quite a few years before ever hearing

> about the continuous brewing system. The spigots make things

> easier. No need to disturb the scoby every time. Yes you can

> remove the scoby, Rescue your brew in whatever containers you

> choose and then refill the container with sweet tea, the scoby

> and a bit of the finished KT to prevent the scoby from molding.

> If

> this extra work doesn't bother you

> and makes you feel better than using the plastic spigot, then by all

> means this is the way you should go.

> This is the beauty of KT, there are many many right ways to

> brew and one of them at least should fit into your lifestyle.

>

> zoe

Thanks Zoe.

No more questions tonite!

Vicki

[Guest guest]

Vicki,

One of the things that wasn't mentioned in the brewing with spigots and a

benefit of the continuous brew is that you normally only remove a smaller

portion when bottling. For example I have a 2.8 gallon container that now

takes about a day to ferment 1 gallon of fresh sweet tea. If you empty the

container and start again then you have to wait about 5-7 days before the

brew is ready for consumption or a second ferment.

I've also read that the benefits of the acids that " arrive " in the brew

around the end of the first fermentation time are already there, or arrive

more quickly, in the continuous method.

So there are definitely a lot of great reasons for going with a continuous

brewing method other then the ability to draw off from the bottom end of the

brew when grabbing a drink or bottling for storage or a second ferment.

Personally I've stopped straining my brew when I open the spigot and put the

KT into my secondary bottles, as I haven't noticed any yeast migrating from

the main container to the smaller bottle.

Hope that helps,

Jeff

On Wed, May 6, 2009 at 11:50 PM, 2dc <victoria2dc@...>wrote:

>

> Thanks Zoe...

>

> Have you ever tired to brew without a spigot? What is the purpose of

> the spigot? Is is just for ease of bottling? I'm thinking that the

> culture (if it stays in the jar) might get in the way when pouring,

> but can you take it out and then fill your bottles? If yes, then I

> think for me, I can just use the plain jars.

>

> Any thoughts all?

>

> Vicki

>

[Guest guest]

On May 6, 2009, at 11:37 PM, jeff giesbrecht wrote:

> Hope that helps,

> Jeff

That really helps Jeff. I will learn to live with the plastic I

guess.... cause Zoe appears to know the subject well. I'm just picky,

but I'll get over it.

Thanks again,

Vicki

[Guest guest]

Its good to be picky Vicki, but there seem to be a lot of paranoid

folks out there and so its good to question.

Plastics can and do leach into the KT but not nearly as much as

with the metals. Can't speak for all spigots but I noticed on mine

that the part thats Inside the container ie the gasket and the

Nut are rubber and Nylon rather than plastic there is the

plastic tube so I just discard the first bit of Kt that comes

out sort of like you do with water at the tap.

There are folks who tell us that glass is not safe, some say

ceramic is not safe, some say plastic is not safe, and of course

most agree that metals are not safe. If we listened to ALL of these

warnings no one would be brewing KT at all and what a shame that

would be.

You want to look for a Lead Free container be that glass,

ceramic, or Food grade plastic. Next you want a non-reactive

spigot. I should think wood would be the best, but where to get

them? Next best is plastic.

Then of course are the arguments about what sort of teas, what type of

sugars, whether or not to do a second ferment ( I don't ) What type

of water is best, etc ad infinitum et nauseum. LOL There seem

to be as many ways as there are brewers, you just need to figure out

what works best for you in your situation, and try to make it as

painless as possible because if it gets to be too much of a chore it

won't be long before you quit altogether and thats a true shame.

Huggs

zoe

2dc wrote:

> On May 6, 2009, at 11:37 PM, jeff giesbrecht wrote:

>

>

>> Hope that helps,

>> Jeff

>>

>

>

> That really helps Jeff. I will learn to live with the plastic I

> guess.... cause Zoe appears to know the subject well. I'm just picky,

> but I'll get over it.

>

> Thanks again,

> Vicki

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Might depend upon the metal of the ring. I'd be wary of silver, but any gold

of>9ct ought to be O.K. since it'll need something like aqua fortis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqua_fortis to have much effect.

.

(UK)

________________________________

From: zoew <mtnwalker

Subject: Re: Brewing containers?- Attn. Zoe

Gayle,

some things that purport to be Stainless really aren't and if it

left a taste in your mouth I'd be willing to bet

that it isn't. True stainless steel is NON-reactive. But yes

prolonged contact with any metal is not advised. I use stainless

strainers and funnels - exposure is brief so not problematic.

Once upon a time we were advised to remove rings and things

whilst handling the scoby. I would think this to be very good advise

but have not heard it spoken in quite some time.

zoe

Gayle Marks wrote:

> I wouldn't even trust the stainless steel.

>

> I recently drank KT out of a stainless steel travel mug and the

> metallic taste was very distinct!

>

> Gayle

>

>

> On May 6, 2009, at 11:50 PM, 2dc wrote:

>

>

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

On May 7, 2009, at 12:02 AM, zoew wrote:

> Its good to be picky Vicki, but there seem to be a lot of paranoid

> folks out there and so its good to question.

> Plastics can and do leach into the KT but not nearly as much as

> with the metals. Can't speak for all spigots but I noticed on

> mine

> that the part thats Inside the container ie the gasket and

> the

> Nut are rubber and Nylon rather than plastic there is the

> plastic tube so I just discard the first bit of Kt that comes

> out sort of like you do with water at the tap.

That makes sense Zoe!

>

>

> There are folks who tell us that glass is not safe, some say

> ceramic is not safe, some say plastic is not safe, and of course

> most agree that metals are not safe. If we listened to ALL of

> these

> warnings no one would be brewing KT at all and what a shame that

> would be.

True, true. I actually drink this commercial brand " High Country " ....

it's brewed here in the Rocky Mountains. I'd love to go up there this

summer and see if they will give me a tour of their facility before I

actually start. I'll let you know if I do that and what I find.

Their KT is what I consider to be the very best... sometimes I can't

stop at 4 oz. of the stuff!!

>

>

> You want to look for a Lead Free container be that glass,

> ceramic, or Food grade plastic. Next you want a non-reactive

> spigot. I should think wood would be the best, but where to get

> them? Next best is plastic.

Wow... wood? Perhaps someone could make them... a talented woodworker

or someone with design knowledge. Just a thought.

>

>

> Then of course are the arguments about what sort of teas, what

> type of

> sugars, whether or not to do a second ferment ( I don't ) What

> type

> of water is best, etc ad infinitum et nauseum. LOL There seem

> to be as many ways as there are brewers, you just need to figure

> out

> what works best for you in your situation, and try to make it as

> painless as possible because if it gets to be too much of a chore

> it

> won't be long before you quit altogether and thats a true shame.

I have to learn how to do this simply because the commercial tea I

drink is costing me too much. Also, I am one who thinks that if I

make it, it's better.

I hate to do the sugar because I don't eat sugar, but it's the only

way (I know, I know).... but I'm going to do it and see what happens.

Thanks for everything.

Let's do it... tea's a brewin' soon!

Vicki

[Guest guest]

I'm leaping into the thread as I come across bits and pieces.

Reference spigots ... I know this lot is probably no good to " you lot over

there " more for illustration purposes

but at

http://www.brouwland.com/en/

In the " Kitchen/canning " section they use box-wood specifically for use with

vinegar.

" Make your own herb vinegar with these beautiful ceramic vinegar casks! With

high-quality taps for drawing-off made of hard box wood. With large opening for

easy cleaning. "

.

(UK)

A.B.A.L.T.A.T.

" Any, LEGAL, topic which other groups would consider Off-Topic. "

http://uk./group/ABALTAT/

________________________________

From: zoew <mtnwalker2b@...>

kombucha tea

Sent: Thursday, 7 May, 2009 7:02:41

Subject: Re: Brewing containers?- Attn. Zoe

Its good to be picky Vicki, but there seem to be a lot of paranoid

folks out there and so its good to question.

Plastics can and do leach into the KT but not nearly as much as

with the metals. Can't speak for all spigots but I noticed on mine

that the part thats Inside the container ie the gasket and the

Nut are rubber and Nylon rather than plastic there is the

plastic tube so I just discard the first bit of Kt that comes

out sort of like you do with water at the tap.

There are folks who tell us that glass is not safe, some say

ceramic is not safe, some say plastic is not safe, and of course

most agree that metals are not safe. If we listened to ALL of these

warnings no one would be brewing KT at all and what a shame that

would be.

You want to look for a Lead Free container be that glass,

ceramic, or Food grade plastic. Next you want a non-reactive

spigot. I should think wood would be the best, but where to get

them? Next best is plastic.

Then of course are the arguments about what sort of teas, what type of

sugars, whether or not to do a second ferment ( I don't ) What type

of water is best, etc ad infinitum et nauseum. LOL There seem

to be as many ways as there are brewers, you just need to figure out

what works best for you in your situation, and try to make it as

painless as possible because if it gets to be too much of a chore it

won't be long before you quit altogether and thats a true shame.

Huggs

zoe

2dc wrote:

> On May 6, 2009, at 11:37 PM, jeff giesbrecht wrote:

>

>

>> Hope that helps,

>> Jeff

>>

>

>

> That really helps Jeff. I will learn to live with the plastic I

> guess.... cause Zoe appears to know the subject well. I'm just picky,

> but I'll get over it.

>

> Thanks again,

> Vicki

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

I did a quick google for boxwood spigot and came up with several different

options. This website caught my attention.

http://www.creativecookware.com/spigots.htm

Not sure how it would work with a glass bowl but I'm sure if these guys can

make a nut and bolt out of wood they could turn it into a spigot.

http://familywoodworking.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13787

- Jeff

On Thu, May 7, 2009 at 8:57 AM, 2dc <victoria2dc@...> wrote:

>

> >

> > You want to look for a Lead Free container be that glass,

> > ceramic, or Food grade plastic. Next you want a non-reactive

> > spigot. I should think wood would be the best, but where to get

> > them? Next best is plastic.

>

> Wow... wood? Perhaps someone could make them... a talented woodworker

> or someone with design knowledge. Just a thought.

>

[Guest guest]

On May 7, 2009, at 8:15 AM, jeff giesbrecht wrote:

> I did a quick google for boxwood spigot and came up with several

> different

> options. This website caught my attention.

> http://www.creativecookware.com/spigots.htm

>

> Not sure how it would work with a glass bowl but I'm sure if these

> guys can

> make a nut and bolt out of wood they could turn it into a spigot.

> http://familywoodworking.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13787

>

Good work Jeff... who woulda' thunk that they make wood spigots. So

now the key is to find the right container and then measure it for the

wooden spigot.

This seems better. Do you need the plastic hose, or do you think it

will just move out on its own?

Thanks again,

Vicki

[Guest guest]

I think most of the wooden ones rely, as in days of old, on the " hole " being

strong enough to withstand an amount of hitting and they ear " driven " /pushed

into the container with nothing but " willpower " holding then in.

If I ever get one from Belgium you'll all get to hear about it.

.

(UK)

________________________________

From: jeff giesbrecht

Subject: Re: Brewing containers?- Attn. Zoe

I did a quick google for boxwood spigot and came up with several different

options. This website caught my attention.

http://www.creativecookware.com/spigots.htm

Not sure how it would work with a glass bowl but I'm sure if these guys can

make a nut and bolt out of wood they could turn it into a spigot.

http://familywoodworking.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13787

- Jeff

[Guest guest]

On May 7, 2009, at 8:28 AM, Kane wrote:

> I think most of the wooden ones rely, as in days of old, on the

> " hole " being strong enough to withstand an amount of hitting and

> they ear " driven " /pushed into the container with nothing but

> " willpower " holding then in.

> If I ever get one from Belgium you'll all get to hear about it.

Please do. I want wood and am willing to pay the price of

importing.... if it would fit in an American (or should I say Chinese

made/American purchased) jar? Nothing is made in the USA anymore. I

simply don't like Chinese stuff, but what can you do? Do you have the

same problem in the UK?

Vicki

[Guest guest]

On May 6, 2009, at 11:05 PM, Mateo wrote:

> The purpose of the spigot would be to continuously brew without need

> to

> drain and then refill a jar. The spigot makes it more convenient and

> less time consuming if one were to always brew and want it

> constantly going.

Got it Mateo!

Thanks,

Vicki

[Guest guest]

the happy herbalist sells nice wooden casks, so i would assume he sells

the replacement spigots too. anyplace that sells the wood wine/beer casks should

have wooden spigots. check a brew supply house if you have one locally, if they

dont have them in stock, they can prob order them.

as someone with many different containers, including the big vats that are hard

to clean, move, find a spot for, i am more and more enamored of one gallon

spigot jars. they are readily available (in season - which is right now), cheap

($6 at wal-mart - my apologies to those of you on the other side of the pond who

have no huge arkansas-based corporate conglomerate super-stores!), easy to move,

store, clean, and great to experiment with different types and amounts of tea,

sugar, temperature, and time. i just started 7 jars (3 from my first bactch of

starter from my new scoby from lisa, and 4 from my new starter from greg -

thanks guys they are beautiful!)

i do not particularly like the spigot that comes with these jars as it is the

type that has the rubber bubble on top you push rather than the lever-type. some

tend to leak at first around the rubber part on top, so i put a small lid under

it to catch the drips. i use this as my " taster " tea, but after a few days, it

seems to seal, probably from scoby forming where ever there is contact with air.

some day, i will replace them with better spigots, but for now they are fine. i

too would like non-plastic, non-reactive metal spigots, but am settling for

minimizing the leaching by using glass jars. plastic just cannot be avoided

totally in today's society.

i had previously  " pulled " 2 batches of starter off the jars to give away (i let

it go till quite sour so didnt even disturb it to get a scoby, just gave away

the sour starter), having numerous one gallon jars makes this easy to do. one

friend who is short on time, patience, and desire to fuss with this living food,

just lets her tea brew in the one-gallon spigot jar i gave her, when its almost

done, she puts the lid on tight (it comes with the jar), lets it sit a few days

to build up carbonation, then sticks the whole jar in the fridge and draws off

as she drinks it. it is mildly carbonated throughout its life cycle. she now

wants me to give her another jar to alternate brew and drink! told her the first

one's free but after that get your own - lol. 

happily brewing eel-free in oklahoma!

  LaGrand

918-931-9600

Fax: 866-669-0231

[Guest guest]

We were told that gold is a no no since its never in its pure form

but contains a lot of copper and other metals to make it hard

enough to hold its shape in jewelry, again don't take my word for it

- do some research and find your answers.

zoe

Kane wrote:

> Might depend upon the metal of the ring. I'd be wary of silver, but any gold

of>9ct ought to be O.K. since it'll need something like aqua fortis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqua_fortis to have much effect.

>

> .

> (UK)

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: zoew <mtnwalker

> Subject: Re: Brewing containers?- Attn. Zoe

>

> Gayle,

> some things that purport to be Stainless really aren't and if it

> left a taste in your mouth I'd be willing to bet

> that it isn't. True stainless steel is NON-reactive. But yes

> prolonged contact with any metal is not advised. I use stainless

> strainers and funnels - exposure is brief so not problematic.

> Once upon a time we were advised to remove rings and things

> whilst handling the scoby. I would think this to be very good advise

> but have not heard it spoken in quite some time.

>

> zoe

>

> Gayle Marks wrote:

>

>> I wouldn't even trust the stainless steel.

>>

>> I recently drank KT out of a stainless steel travel mug and the

>> metallic taste was very distinct!

>>

>> Gayle

>>

>>

>> On May 6, 2009, at 11:50 PM, 2dc wrote:

>>

>>

>>

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

I think that the fluid would come out fine on its own just like it does with a

plastic spigot.

- Jeff

> Good work Jeff... who woulda' thunk that they make wood spigots. So

> now the key is to find the right container and then measure it for the

> wooden spigot.

>

> This seems better. Do you need the plastic hose, or do you think it

> will just move out on its own?

>

> Thanks again,

> Vicki

>