OMG. Nothing complete yet. I have most of the control panel, some of the fittings and the Blingmann pots either in the house or on the way (hurray for the cosmetic defects and AiH's rewards program). So far, since the first of the year when I started this project, I have been tracking every penny (just in case the CFO/SWMBO requires a report), the total so far...over 2 grand.
Now, that includes the control panel minus the PIDs and timer and enclosure; however all 3 Blichmann pots and false bottom and 2 Chugger pumps with stainless center inlet heads (thanks Bobby!) have been aquired.
I figure outside the table, ventilation, element and element attachment components, I still have around a grand to go. My wife is really awesome, I mean she really is! Granted, when this is done, school is paid for, the credit cards are paid off (no credit used for this project mind you), she gets a sewing machine that costs over 8 grand. She's worth it though. At least my stuff can be bought a bit at a time, no so with that sewing machine, still, I have to admit that contraption she wants really does rock! And, I get my clothes fixed for free, and sometimes with benefit
.
My best advice, BE PATIENT!!!! For the love of Pete! Start a spreadsheet to track the parts you need and the prices you find on eBay, Amazon, ProFlow, StainlessBrewing, BrewHardware, BargainFittings, etc. Get an Amazon Prime account if feasible, it will let you buy stuff that drops dirt cheap without having to meet the minimum total for free shipping. Follow
www.homebrewfinds.com closely, the guy finds just stupid good deals. Do not make snap purchases unless you find a significant discount like what Bobby did on the pumps for April Fools. Don't go into debt, take your time, no hurry for this. You can brew great beer with a stove, two simple pots, an Igloo style cooler/false bottom and some pitchers. A good friend of mine is proof, he's won 3 Golds lately on a system that would cost less than a single 20 gallon Blichmann and has qualified for the master's level competitions. Look at the new fittings that have been produced since Kal did his system. There are better bulkheads and compression fittings than he used, just check StainlessBrewing for their HERMS bulkhead fittings, those rock. You don't have to use the quick disconnects that Kal uses, check the camlocks, much cheaper and just as functional, better flow rate too.
If you are ready to buy your kettles and are going to get the Blichmann's, check out Adventures in Homebrewing. You can purchase cosmetic defect units at a descent discount from them. Once you spend $400, you get a $20 gift card. Say you haven't purchased anything from them, get the first 20g pot and some other needed items (surely you can find something that will get you from the $382.74 to $400 mark). Oh, did I mention that shipping is free for the Blichmann kettles? Next, use that credit to get the $20 off the second, rinse, repeat. Heck, by the 3rd kettle, I had enough to get a $30 credit. Saved me nearly $200!
If you have a local home brew club, JOIN! There are two guys in my club with Greenlee punches that will let me use them. One has a plasma cutter. One has a Kal clone built from a kit. You can really get some great help and advise by connecting with a local brew club.
Hope this helps you. Shoot me a message if you need any clarification, etc.
