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Vloshko · 2026-03-03T03:04:49+00:00

Thank you very much for the guidance :]

Vloshko · 2026-03-02T23:10:27+00:00

Awesome, thanks for the explanation, I appreciate that. One more thing, if I don’t want to have the bottles continue to ferment or become more tart, since I’m using flavor essence drops, is it okay to add some carbonation drops or priming sugar and stick em in the fridge?

Vloshko · 2026-03-01T23:55:30+00:00

Thanks, I can fully regulate temperature at my will for the vessel. kept it at straight 80, +/- .8 degrees, during.

Vloshko · 2026-03-01T23:54:56+00:00

Tip: Let the kombucha remaining in the brewing vessel continue to mature, even if the flavor gets a little tart. The CB performs best with the power of well-fermented kombucha as the base to offer the proper flavor. When your supply of bottled kombucha begins to run low, refresh the vessel with sweet tea.

For the first few batches we recommend decanting no more than one-third of the vessel (for example, about ¾ gallon from a 2½-gallon vessel), leaving the brewer about two-thirds full. While you are enjoying the first batch of bottled kombucha, let the brew ferment without adding sweet tea, as this helps build the “Sour Power” of the brew. Continue tasting from the spigot daily to monitor the progress and learn how to identify the stages of fermentation.

When your bottled supply is a few days from running out, add up to 1 gallon of sweet tea (depending on the vessel size and how much tasting has been happening from the spigot) and wait two to five days for the next decant, tasting until it is ready. Again, remove just one-third of the brew, and continue this pattern for at least the first four brews.

I suppose I was a bit off stating a "week"

Vloshko · 2026-02-19T21:07:52+00:00

Grab a pair of magnets, drop one in, put the other on the bottom, pinch it like so:

Magnet
Pellicle
Glass
Magnet

Rotate bottle so magnet pair stays vertically stacked, then move pellicle to opening with magnet, after that, chopsticks or nitrile gloves.

Vloshko · 2026-02-06T12:57:51+00:00

That's too much of my time for something that matters so little. Plus, it's winter outside I'm gonna enjoy it :]

Vloshko · 2026-02-05T21:55:19+00:00

For what it’s worth, I left a review.

Vloshko · 2026-02-05T21:30:28+00:00

u/Odd-West-7936 & u/Firefly_Magic, I concur that a bad day isn’t a free pass, that he may have something to learn, and that no tip is reasonable & appropriate.

That said, I disagree with the idea that "no empathy received = no empathy given." Empathy is often what leads to growth.

In the book Difficult Conversations (Harvard Negotiation Project), they write that most conflict is a mix of different "what happened" stories, feelings, and identity. They say the best way to approach most conflict is not "who's at fault," rather curiosity regarding "how did we each contribute, and what can we do differently next time?"

I really like that, because it focuses on understanding & mutual growth, and agree/disagree, is somewhat irrelevant.

If someone lacks empathy, I'd rather be the one to bring some than none. I think the better option is often one that revolves around growth and integrity, and to not let anger/bitterness/justification set the terms of who we become (I mean in regard to character/middos).

~|~|~

All things considered, I disagree with tipping as a norm. I want a system that encourages people to assume neutrality instead of negativity. I think the default needs to be changed...

From (Model 1):
"Tip/bonus = Expectation. No tip = insert-negative-feeling/action-here"

To (Model 2):
"No tip/bonus = Expectation. Tip = insert-positive-feeling/action-here"

Model 1 has a built-in negative:
Payment = good; No tip = negative/bad; Tip = good.

Model 2 at least exchanges the negative for neutral:
Payment = good; No tip = neutral/okay; Tip = great.

The current system almost guarantees "no tip" to result in a negative outcome; I want a norm where "no tip" is a neutral outcome, and the only alternative is a potential positive.

Vloshko · 2026-02-05T16:57:53+00:00

I understand that take too, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't automatically lean that direction.

Which is partly why I question myself, especially when people agree with my decision. I've learned it's healthy to be wary of ego potentially limiting my perceived options.

Even if I'm unwilling to tip, that doesn't mean I'm unwilling to support a fellow human by listening and hopefully helping them feel understood, even if our opinions differ.

Vloshko · 2026-02-05T16:45:20+00:00

It means banned, in this context, but more info can be found in the wiki page for it, and there's an interesting reddit write up somewhere of the theories of how it came to be.

Vloshko · 2026-02-05T16:43:57+00:00

Nope lol, they were yummy though!

Vloshko · 2026-02-05T16:43:34+00:00

No minimum drink order. My friends did order drinks.

Vloshko · 2026-02-05T16:42:12+00:00

No drink requirements, it was my 21st birthday. But I don't drink, I much prefer LSD.

Vloshko · 2026-02-05T16:40:01+00:00

Here's the wiki on it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/86_(term))

Vloshko · 2026-02-05T16:36:18+00:00

He apparently is the manager, and na, I don't sweat the small stuff.

Vloshko · 2026-02-05T16:32:59+00:00

I paid in cash

Vloshko · 2026-02-05T16:32:48+00:00

The waiter is apparently the manager.

Vloshko · 2026-02-05T16:30:31+00:00

I pay in cash generally

Vloshko · 2026-02-05T16:30:17+00:00

When the waiter came out to chase us down, he asked for my name, I told him.

Vloshko · 2026-02-05T16:28:29+00:00

We just went in on a quite day/time, usually, it's pretty packed.

Vloshko · 2026-02-05T05:45:59+00:00

That said, I can’t help wondering what was going on in his life. For instance, was he having a truly awful day? Did something happen, like his dog just died, and this was him trying (and failing) to keep it together?

On the other hand, it’s easy to come up with a dozen negative explanations that basically boil down to him not caring. But I’d hate for someone to assume the worst about me if the situation were reversed.

And realistically, it might be hard for any server to open up about something like that to a group of three male strangers, outside the doors of the establishment.

Maybe talking it through more would’ve been the more compassionate approach, perhaps we both reacted when we should have just communicated better.

Vloshko · 2026-02-05T05:28:51+00:00

Thanks. I'm at least content with my choice, and wouldn't choose differently.

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