ATO Tea Brewers - Brewing Instructions
5-gallon Brewer | 28-gallon Brewer | 55-gallon Brewer | 100-gallon Brewer | 500 or 1,000-gallon Brewer
5-gallon Brewer
- Once the brewer is assembled, fill your bucket with water just shy of 5 gallons, making sure the insert is in securely.
- With dry hands, plug your motor in, put the lid on the bucket and start the motor.
- Run for approximately 20 minutes if you have chlorine in your water.
- Drop the “tea bag” and contents of the plastic bag into the bucket, again covering with the lid.
- Brew for at least 12 hours before use.
You may brew up to 20-24 hours, although as you approach 24 hours, you will need to add more food and compost. Use within 4-6 hours from the time you stop the motor for optimum benefit. HAPPY BREWING!
Note: Make sure to clean your machine immediately. Run clean water through with the pump running and/or put the parts in the dishwasher to eliminate the possibility of biofilm. The easiest way to clean the machine is to remove the coil with the motor still running. This keeps the tea from going inside the pipes. You may then dip the coil into another bucket filled with water or hose it down and then wipe clean.
^ top
28-gallon Brewer
- If necessary to dechlorinate your water, brew for 4+ hours. Then add your compost/foods (see recipe below) to the water in the tank and brew for 20-26 hours in moderate temperatures (65-75 degrees). The ph needs to be between 5.5 and 7. We have found if you add humic acid to the water while conditioning (degassing), it helps with stabilizing the water.
- When ready to use Actively Aerated Compost Tea (AACT) drain from the tank, making sure to leave the blower running until ALL the tea has been removed from the tank.
- It is critical to clean the brewer immediately after withdrawing all of the tea.
Supplies needed:
- hydrogen peroxide or bleach
- hand brush/arm brush
- small bucket (minimum 3 gallon)
Be sure to thoroughly rinse the tank and manifold after cleaning with the hydrogen peroxide or bleach. My preference is the hydrogen peroxide.
- Now you are ready to use the AACT. Keep in mind the effectiveness is reduced the longer the time duration from removing the tea from the brewer to it being placed on the plants or soil.
If this is your first time applying the tea, I recommend a usage rate of a minimum of 15 gallons per acre of foliage. Water is merely a carrier, so how much is used is not the key issue but the amount of tea per acre is the critical issue.
^ top
55-gallon Brewer
- If necessary to dechlorinate your water, brew for 4+ hours. Then add your compost/foods (see recipe below) to the water in the tank and brew for 20-26 hours in moderate temperatures (65-75 degrees). The ph needs to be between 5.5 and 7. We have found if you add humic acid to the water while conditioning (degassing), it helps with stabilizing the water.
- When ready to use Actively Aerated Compost Tea (AACT) drain from the tank, making sure to leave the blower running until ALL the tea has been removed from the tank.
- It is critical to clean the brewer immediately after withdrawing all of the tea.
Supplies needed:
- hydrogen peroxide or bleach
- hand brush/arm brush
- small bucket (minimum 3 gallon)
Be sure to thoroughly rinse the tank and manifold after cleaning with the hydrogen peroxide or bleach. My preference is the hydrogen peroxide.
- Now you are ready to use the AACT. Keep in mind the effectiveness is reduced the longer the time duration from removing the tea from the brewer to it being placed on the plants or soil.
If this is your first time applying the tea, I recommend a usage rate of a minimum of 15 gallons per acre of foliage. Water is merely a carrier, so how much is used is not the key issue but the amount of tea per acre is the critical issue.
^ top
100-gallon Brewer
- If necessary to dechlorinate your water, brew for 4+ hours. Then add your compost/foods (see recipe below) to the water in the tank and brew for 20-26 hours in moderate temperatures (65-75 degrees). The ph needs to be between 5.5 and 7. We have found if you add humic acid to the water while conditioning (degassing), it helps with stabilizing the water.
- When ready to use Actively Aerated Compost Tea (AACT) drain from the tank, making sure to leave the blower running until ALL the tea has been removed from the tank.
- It is critical to clean the brewer immediately after withdrawing all of the tea.
Supplies needed:
- hydrogen peroxide or bleach
- hand brush/arm brush
- small bucket (minimum 3 gallon)
Be sure to thoroughly rinse the tank and manifold after cleaning with the hydrogen peroxide or bleach. My preference is the hydrogen peroxide.
- Now you are ready to use the AACT. Keep in mind the effectiveness is reduced the longer the time duration from removing the tea from the brewer to it being placed on the plants or soil.
If this is your first time applying the tea, I recommend a usage rate of a minimum of 15 gallons per acre of foliage. Water is merely a carrier, so how much is used is not the key issue but the amount of tea per acre is the critical issue.
^ top
500-gallon or 1,000-gallon Brewer
- If necessary to dechlorinate your water, brew for 4+ hours. Then add your compost/foods (see recipe below) to the water in the tank and brew for 20-26 hours in moderate temperatures (65-75 degrees). The ph needs to be between 5.5 and 7. We have found if you add humic acid to the water while conditioning (degassing), it helps with stabilizing the water.
- When ready to use Actively Aerated Compost Tea (AACT) drain from the tank, making sure to leave the blower running until ALL the tea has been removed from the tank.
- It is critical to clean the brewer immediately after withdrawing all of the tea.
Supplies needed:
- hydrogen peroxide or bleach
- hand brush/arm brush
- small bucket (minimum 3 gallon)
Be sure to thoroughly rinse the tank and manifold after cleaning with the hydrogen peroxide or bleach. My preference is the hydrogen peroxide.
- Now you are ready to use the AACT. Keep in mind the effectiveness is reduced the longer the time duration from removing the tea from the brewer to it being placed on the plants or soil.
If this is your first time applying the tea, I recommend a usage rate of a minimum of 15 gallons per acre of foliage. Water is merely a carrier, so how much is used is not the key issue but the amount of tea per acre is the critical issue.
^ top
|