brewagentjay

Recipes 

So when should I make the move to AG and what other equipment do I need for this?

Thanks.....

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Teufel Hunden Brewing Company

Primary - Apfelwein v2, JChrapewein, Light Scottish Ale, SW 420 v2, Devil Dog Ale Version 2
Secondary - OxiClean
Just Bottled - Jay's Irish Stout
On Deck - The Orginal Fat Tire
Planning - "Hail to the Chief -IIPA", "The Straw Berry Blonde"
NTBA - Wicked Ale

Semper Fi

Brooklyn-Brewtality

Recipes 

When is whenever you want to. Plenty of homebrewers stay extract forever, some start brewing with all grain. and everything in between.

if you feel like doing all grain, then you are ready.


As for equipment, that is outlined lots of places here on the forums and online.

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Kegged: Citra IPA
Bottled:*empty*
Fermenting: Dusseldorf Alt
Planned: Black IPA, Munich Helles, Belgian Golden Strong, IIPA, Serrano/Habanero Cream Ale...

DavidSteel

Recipes 

A 10 gallon mash tun and a 7.5 gallon pot with the capability to boil 5-7 gallons of wort.

Do it now. I built my mash tun for only 15 bucks and that's all it took:
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/just-built-my-mash-tun-pics-151618/

It's not hard at all, just takes longer and IMO, much much better results. Mmmm

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Primary: None.
Secondary: Nawww
Bottled: Ó Flannagáin Standard, Random Stout, Nut Brown, Edwort's Rye IPA, Milk Stout + Coffee Milk Stout, Centennial Blonde, Pale Ale, Cthulhu Dementia Robust Porter, Nyarlathotep (I)IIPA, Willamette IPA parti-gyle, Indian Brown Ale, Oatmeal Stout, Blueberry Oatmeal Stout, Barely Legal IIPA, Oatmeal Stout 2, Hazelnut Coffee Oatmeal Stout
Planned: RIS, Coconut Porter

ReverseApacheMaster

Recipes 

Whenever you've figured out what equipment you need.

Beernik

Recipes 

I just switched to AG. Make the move when:
1. Watching a video on mashing no longer intimidates you.
2. You can afford the additional equipment: MLT and full-boil pot.

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Drinking: Double Hop EPA, Imperial Hefeweizen, Pumpkin Saison

Brewing/Drinking blog: http://beermonday.blogspot.com

Remember: Shaggy has a goatee, Satan has a Van Dyke.

IceFisherChris

Recipes 

Okay so I haven't moved to all grain yet, but I have gathered a few things:
1. If you want to do full 5 gallon batches then you should have a pot of 8+ gallons.
2. You should also have a propane burner to boil this amount because stoves suck for 5+ gallons.
3. A wort chiller is handy, otherwise you'll be spending your whole day waiting for it to cool, instead of 10 minutes...

If you don't have this equipment then just make it easy on yourself and attempt a half batch (cut all ingredients in half.) Some may consider it a waste of time spending so much time for only 2.5 gallons... but you don't have to spend any money at all.

Make sure you read up on the process of mashing and stuff, and make sure you have equipment that will work. A cooler is a common vessel for mashing. Some do it right on the stove. You can start AG whenever you want... Just remember that it will require some bigger equipment and a lot more time. For some beers, its worth it. It's up to you to decide whether or not you want to increase the difficulty level!! I'm doing my first AG as a pure experiment. I expect to screw up, and I expect to learn from it. I'm not trying to make a world class beer my first time out :P

Bernie Brewer

Recipes 

Do it whenever you want. Just do a little research and jump in. And you can do it pretty cheap if you want, or you can go nuts-deep and spend a ton. There are lots of possibilities. Have fun!

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I like to squeeze the nickle until the buffalo craps-mt rob

"Why don't we get drunk and screw?" Jimmy Buffett

mordantly

Recipes 

is nutz-deep knee-deep^2?


as to ag brewing: there is no time like the present.

Cookiebaggs

Recipes 

I'd suggest going bigger on the brew kettle to a 15.5 gal converted keg or a 20 gallon kettle. That way you can do 10-11 gallon batches in the future when you decide you want more beer without having farted away money on a 10 gallon kettle.

whoneedsabeer

Recipes 

I suppose it depends on how well endowed you are

I'm doing my 1st AG batch this weekend, as long as we don't get another blizzard.

I picked up a 10gal rubbermaid from HD, and got my fittings on order from weldlessfittings.com. Dave was great to work with, and answered all my noob questions. I've only done two extract batches, but I've attended a local gathering of brewers from this site (MD Brewers) and watched a few guys do it.

If you have the opportunity, get together with someone who is set up for AG, and do a brew day with them. It raised my confidence level. That being said, I'm sure to screw up my first attempt, but that's what noobs do!

Jay