Just started on my 1st kit

[LordEoin]

a couple of A4 sheets does the job and makes cleanup much easier if you have them.
Cleaner than a chopping board and disposable 

[CB_Phil]

wanna be quite a few sheets Id say?

so after 2days (maybe 3) sitting @ 1016 shes now down to 1014, so will hang on a day or 2 more, will be 2 weeks Monday anyway

[johnrm]

Aim for the same reading 3 days in a row.
Check again in 2, same reading, you're done.

[CB_Phil]

Almost had that  ah well, few more days wont hurt I guess

[LordEoin]

wanna be quite a few sheets Id say?

Not unless you're using a hammer... I generally use 1 folded in half.
I use the chisel because it's bulky and very sharp, so it will deliver a very precise strike with little force.
With a wood chisel, all you need to do is line it up and give it a firm tap with the end of a pintglass.
If you do it right you'll never touch the workop with the chisel and the drop will split in 2.
From personal experience, a knife (even a sharp one) leads to more counter-top damage.

[CB_Phil]

Due to other stuff going on Ive only just gotten to bottle my brew now. only a 5days past when I should have. But in that time its gotten slightly bitter, not sure if thats good or bad.

So 32 bottles done, 8 of which are 1/2 Carbonation drops (chisel worked a treat) 1 is 1.5 drops & the rest is 1 per bottle. So now the wait to taste. I reckon I can go @ the half drop bottles a little sooner, althou I might just have the curious one & try let the rest sit for 3weeks before I touch them
Bottles are sitting in a blanket box that should keep them round 20c

[johnrm]

Bitter smell or taste?

[CB_Phil]

Taste, Just slightly

[LordEoin]

It'll be fine. After a while in the bottle it will mellow out.

[CB_Phil]

Cheers man, only problem is having to play the waiting game. Dying to have a few

[LordEoin]

Keep yourself busy with the next brew 

[CB_Phil]

Gona start looking into it now alright. Fancy doing a Porter I think

[CB_Phil]

so 1.5 weeks after bottling I decided to give one of the 1/2 carbonated drop bottles a shot. not bad, but a little flat, hopefully the full tab bottles will be better. Not a huge 'alcohol' taste from it, but drinkable none the less

[Ciderhead]

Nice Job, looks great, 1.5 weeks is v early even though you have ambient temps at the moment time is the homebrewers friend.
Stick one in the very back of the cupboard and open on Christmas Day and you'll know what I am talking about. 

[LordEoin]

Aye, the stout kit takes a bit longer to mature.
I know exactly what you mean about the carbonation, a half drop is missing something and a full drop is more enjoyable even though it makes an unusually carbonated stout