Beer Forum

I plan to brew my second brew and do not have a pump or stone. What is the best poor man's way to aerate? I am using a bucket. My first batch I put the lid on a shook the buck for 2-3 minutes.

On this batch, should I pour back and forth from boil pot to bucket a few times? Should I stir and agitate the surface?

I noticed How to Brew by Palmer says you can do this, but listening to the serious brew Podcasts, it seems like I have to think about aerating a better way.

Also, after this batch, should the next equipment I invest in be oxygen and stone?

Thanks!

Before I got o2 and a stone I used a paint stirrer and a drill and really whipped the wort up just before pitching the yeast. This works pretty good with buckets, obviously not so good with carboys. Another way is an aquarium air pump and a sterile filter.

I'd wait on buying a stone until after you have a means of fermentation temp. control.

Shake your carboy, with veracity! Works better than my O2 stone right now (I think I'm just figuring out how to use it though....)

I also ferment in a bucket - basically I have a big stainless steel spoon I use for brewing. Prior to pitching I pop the top and just stir the heck out of it for a minute or so and then pitch the yeast. Works fine.

IMHO you are better off spending $$ on fermentation temperature control first and O2 later. One of the most important steps is fermentation - fermentation - fermentation. And temperature is the key to that

If you are fermenting in a bucket, you have access to the whole top. Just sanitize a whisk and whip the living shit out of it. Cheap and effective.

Carboys are tougher due to the neck. The paint stirrer thing works well, from what I've heard.

HTH-

I would think twice before running a drill above unfermented wort...you think nothing will fall in as that motor spins and spins? Maybe I am being paranoid. I tried the shaking method but a full carboy or bucket is super heavy; I would shake it maybe half full and then add the remainder. When I started I would just go from kettle to carboy slowly letting it drizzle in. If I need more air I would then have a second carboy with a funnel in the neck (all sanatized) and pour slowly through the funnel into the second unit.
The fish pump/hepa filter is a cheap way to go but mine got filled with condensation and stopped working...too much humidity in the chest freezer.

I've only had a stone & O2 for a few years. I always shook the hell out of my carboy. but I would go with a hand mixer. most households have one and they have become cheap if you don't.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I will use these tips as I boil my second brew and get it fermenting tomorrow.
Prost!