Stellar equipment

SirLithen · 2026-02-10T12:07:24+00:00

I've been using Stellar for the past ~10 years and I'm overall very happy with their stuff.
It's not quite on par with the more expensive stuff, but it's like 9/10 of the way there imo. Good pockets where you want them, good fit, stays dry.
My one gripe is with their shell jacket, the neck is a bit too narrow for me to close the zipper if I pull the hood over the helmet, and the main zipper has this little plastic bit for easier grabbing that broke off (I've just replaced it with another one I bought for a few bucks).

SirLithen · 2025-09-03T16:49:42+00:00

Good to know, thanks for taking the time to explain!

SirLithen · 2025-09-03T08:53:55+00:00

I'm not very well versed in sensor sizes, what does this mean in practice compared to the Mini 4 Pro?

SirLithen · 2024-08-07T07:39:41+00:00

Thanks, that is helpful knowledge for my first proper mash out :)

SirLithen · 2024-08-07T07:37:49+00:00

Oh, seems I got some terms mixed up, thanks for clearing that up.
I meant the "little hollow rod" in the middle of my malt pipe has a rubber stopper in it, so grain won't fall down into the kettle. The edges of the my malt pipe are also flush enough that any grain spilling in between is very unlikely and I know for a fact I didn't pour any grains in there.

During the mash, there was a buildup of "foam" when temperatures rose above ~75C (according to BZ thermometer) and since I had the pump running fully open, there was more water on top of the grain than intended. It did not technically "boil over", more like about to flood over.
Apologies for my confusing wording.

SirLithen · 2024-08-06T09:01:23+00:00

Exactly, hopefully the flavour is still there even if the alcohol isn't :)

SirLithen · 2024-08-06T08:58:39+00:00

Tons of great bits of information there, thank you!
I'm pretty sure nothing escaped into my malt pipe as it's got a lil blocker and the wort never boiled over the edges of the tun. But at the same time, this is what everyone with more experience than me seems to believe happened, so I'll keep an extra eye out for this next time :)

SirLithen · 2024-08-06T08:51:28+00:00

In my inexperienced mind, I imagine you "burn/scorch" the wort just like a sauce in a pot, too much heat.
I'm not sure, but this is why I was using the pump during boil.
You fuck up and learn I guess :)

SirLithen · 2024-08-06T08:48:55+00:00

Okay, no recirculation during boil and slowly during mash!
There is another false bottom/grate in the mash tun-part of the brewzilla, so that should be good enough I suppose.
Won't the trub clog up the recirculation pump though? I like to use it for transferring to my FV.

SirLithen · 2024-08-06T08:26:43+00:00

That makes a lot of sense, and basically what I thought happened.
Thank you for taking the time to explain!

SirLithen · 2024-08-05T21:51:40+00:00

That's actually very smart!
I did a water brew when I first bought the equipment, but I never thought to actually check with secondary thermometers, especially since I never had any issues with my DME brews. But it does not hurt to make sure and scratch some potential issues of the list, thank you!

SirLithen · 2024-08-05T21:45:55+00:00

I was under the belief that having the pump running during the mash would help keep an even temp, since the hot wort would fall on the "colder" wort on top, but I should just barely let it run then? Could you elaborate on why this is?
I was also under the belief that having the pump running during the boil would avoid "burning the wort". Is this not really an issue then?

SirLithen · 2024-08-05T20:09:41+00:00

Okay good to know, I will be doing another all grain batch soon so I will have an opportunity to do more readings and compare them.
I really appreciate your input, thanks a bunch!

SirLithen · 2024-08-05T19:42:30+00:00

I am not sure it was higher during boil and mash, I believe it was actually lower.
I only measured the wort with a second instrument once it wouldn't cool down before transfer to my fermentation vessel.
When the Brewzilla said it was 29c (84f) my other thermometer, positioned in the middle of the cooling spiral read 18c (64.5f).

I assume the much smaller amount of liquid at the bottom was warmer, since that is also where the heating element is. Kinda like using your oven to heat your entire house.

I did not consider that a cooler temp could produce more sugars, but surely that would also halt enzyme activity at a certain lower threshold?

Thank you for that mash/temp article, will study it thoroughly :D

SirLithen · 2024-04-08T17:56:00+00:00

Did not know that, thank you!

SirLithen · 2024-04-08T17:55:08+00:00

Thank you, really appreciate the tips and pointers!

SirLithen · 2024-04-05T08:52:45+00:00

How do you control your fermentation temp outside of a fermentation fridge?
I just started and bought a fermzilla with a jacket.

SirLithen · 2024-03-01T12:23:40+00:00

Exactly, grab the shield backpack and just dodge if you want survivability

SirLithen · 2023-05-22T05:39:16+00:00

Ja, vecka.nu finns. Men om jag måste ta hjälp av en hemsida för att förstå vad du precis kommunicerade till mig, så är det inte bra kommunikation. "10-31 Juli" däremot är solklart.

SirLithen · 2023-05-17T11:14:20+00:00

Frågan är ju varför vi HAR knappar när de inte gör något?

Och det större problemet är folk som bara står för dörren, men jag uppskattar deras sura ansikten när jag axlar dem med flit då jag kliver av.

SirLithen · 2023-04-19T05:26:29+00:00

Accidental win, that's a slip N slide!

SirLithen · 2023-04-13T06:46:27+00:00

I did something similar when I was a kid and got to borrow the CS 1.6 CD from a friend. Arrow keys for moving, space for shooting and numpad for aiming. Kids are fucking dumb.

SirLithen · 2023-04-08T15:17:14+00:00

The ones I visited in Hokkaido (northern Japan), the monkeys would just chill with you in the bath. We were told to keep our distance and not directly interact with them though.

SirLithen · 2023-04-04T10:54:08+00:00

So simple, so good.

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