STAD

Recipes 

Okay so hopefully the thread title caught some attention. Haha! It's not really a matter of arrogance, it's more likely possible ignorance. Okay, so let me just start by saying where I am in this whole beer brewing mess. I have only brewed one batch and it's not even done yet. So basically, I'm a complete n00b. My overall goal is to start making my own recipes or tweaking the popular all-grain recipes. The brew I am working on is a step-by-step extract kit. At first glance, all-grain brewing was like another language. But after LOTS of reading and question asking, I feel like I have a pretty good grip on it. My question is simply this: Can I make the jump to all-grain after only ONE batch of extract? I don't want to say that it seems easy, but maybe not as intimidating as I once thought. Tell me what you think.

Thank,

Ryan

McKBrew

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It is nowhere near as intimidating as you think. Two things kept me from going AG sooner. Cost, which I found out wasn't really that much for the basics and the fear that it would be too hard. It's not. I say go for it.

AZ_IPA

Recipes 

Ryan,

find some posts by Revvy. He's written some interesting stuff about the Extract v. AG.

It's kinda like bait fishing versus fly-fishing. Certain fly-fisherman (AG) snub bait fisherman (extract) as inferior; yet, the goal is the same -- catch fish (make beer).

and, like most folks on here will say - this hobby is all about making good beer, no matter what your technique is.

The hardest part I had with my first AG batch (and happened to be 1st full boil batch) was avoiding boil-over (it's a lot trickier with 6.5 gallons of wort v. the 3 I'd use for extract), and the extra time to chill the wort.

good luck!

hammacks

Recipes 

Is more nerve racking than difficult the first time. Kinda like sex...

But if you've read enough to have a good grasp of what your trying to accomplish go for it. Make sure you can measure your runnings volume and have a good thermometer.

carnevoodoo

Recipes 

I think I did 4 batches before I went all grain. I'd say go for it.

STAD

Recipes 

Haha, sounds good guys. Thanks for the encouragement! So now it comes to the equipment, which seems pricey. I see a lot of people make their own MLT and just keep a big pot of boiling water going for the HLT. Is this doable?

zacster

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My hesitation is still the time involved more than the difficulty. It already takes at least 2.5 hours from when I first fill the pot to boil till I've put the wort in the fermenter and clean up, and I have the process down pat at this point.

carnevoodoo

Recipes 

you need a big pot for full boils. I just use a pot for my HLT and my MLT is a cooler.

it does get pricy, but it is totally fun. You might even want to do a second extract batch while waiting to get everything together.

rob897

Recipes 

Go AG... I did 1 extract and wanted to have more control on what my recipes would be like. Immediately after my 1st extract I started building my MLT, Keggle and Kegerator.
I have only done 3 AG batches and they all turned out ok even for still being a NOOB... I would start watching some online videos from YouTube as those really give you a better understanding of what to do... I would recommend the Chris Knight series, I believe theres 8 videos for his AG.. .and he has additional videos for Kegging..

Cheers

Alamo_Beer

Recipes 

Sure ya can! It doesn't take much extra equipment and once you get used to it time isn't all that bad either. I can knock out a brew in 4hrs. The only difference between AG and extract is the mash.....which is basicly just letting the grain rest at a desired temp for an hour. After that it's just like a full boil extract.