Hey guys,
Looking to make the next step up and move to partial mash or full grain. Wondering what peoples thoughts are on using a plastic boiler for mashing/boil vs the whole hog of the mash tun, gas burner and kettle. Bear in mind Im very new at this and have only one ale and a few meads under my belt so far.
I'd say start with brew in a bag (biab) using a plastic boiler and then decide what you want to do after you've done 10+ brews. All grain is about a 6 hour brew day and a lot to learn, so I'd be slow spending on the equipment until you're sure you want to commit to that. Also biab is much less cleaning, which is always good ;)
The homebrewcomplany have an offer on their 32ltr Peco Beermakers Professional Boiler that I was considering getting that. Also considering getting an immersion heater as my house isnt the best for temps, and an immersion chiller.
Do you mean an immersion chiller for the end of the boil to cool, or one to hold ferm temps? You'll certainly need the former if you are moving to all grain.
As for fermentation temperature control there are a lot of options. Like molc says though do a few all grain brew days before sinking too much money into it. It can be hard to find the time for brewing so make sure you enjoy it enough to justify the spend.
Hi Donny,
It all depend on how much money you are willing to spend and how much beer do you want to brew in one batch.
A Grainfather is all in one up to 25L of beer. Cost a bit, but you have invested in the equiment for the next decade.
On the Facebook group I have read stories from newbees started with a Grainfather for their first brew ever and they were very happy. I started with a DIY set with a boiler etc. Stopped with the set as soon as I bought my Grainfather. I wish it was available some years earlier.
Good luck in making your choice.
Brewing a batch on my GF right now 😊. I'm glad I've got less to clean now! I'd start with regular BIAB first as the investment is pretty low cost.
If you are not going the route of BIAB then get yourself a cooler as a Mash Ton and kit it out with copper pipe,why,because it works and works time and time again. You then will need a boil kettle and a copper coiled cooler. You will also need another boil kettle for water HLT. 3 vessels. :)
Quote from: Qs on January 01, 2016, 01:16:14 PM
Do you mean an immersion chiller for the end of the boil to cool, or one to hold ferm temps?
Both ;)
Quote from: DEMPSEY on January 01, 2016, 04:52:19 PM
If you are not going the route of BIAB then get yourself a cooler as a Mash Ton and kit it out with copper pipe,why,because it works and works time and time again. You then will need a boil kettle and a copper coiled cooler. You will also need another boil kettle for water HLT. 3 vessels. :)
Decided that I dont have the room (yet) for the mash tun, boil kettle and so on. Nor the cash. Thanks for the advice guys. Think Il go with the Boiler and go BIAB as it saves me money and space until I get somewhere more spacious and/or win the lotto :P
Glad we could help. Enjoy the journey to all grain :)