Recent content by GrayBrew

Just want to say that this community is awesome. I’ve learned so much in the past week just from the responses in this thread, not to mention reading other topics and other linked resources. Good ****.

Unfortunately we don’t have a basement or even balcony. It’s just a one bedroom with electric heating. The entire building is actually electric. No gas.

Wow. So you can cold crash in a mini fridge? This is used to clarify your beer, right? May be a dumb question - can you put a temp controller in there without drilling holes? What's the standard way to do this? Oh, and would you be able to remove the freezer shelf in order to fit an airlock?

Whoa what are all the tubes going into jars doing? Blowoff? That’s not needed for beginner stuff right?

So many options. Think I might just start with a 6.5 gallon ale pail unless there is a specific reason not to. Edit: just realized that an ale pail may not fit in a mini fridge. Yea one of those PET carboys could definitely work.

I think this is the new plan. I'm going to scrap the Megapot and get a cheaper kettle, then put that money towards a Craigslist minifridge and a temp controller. I already have a reptile heating pad from my now deceased bearded dragon (R.I.P. Foster). I did a quick search on Craigslist and...

Thanks. Any thoughts on the BrewDemon since I'll be doing 2.5 gallon batches? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3DZFJW/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I105XCDZD1O3T0&colid=OKL0U53BOA1R

After watching this video I'm starting to think it may be better to get a cheaper kettle and invest in a used mini-fridge and cheap temp controller.

Thanks for the feedback! I should have mentioned my budget originally. All in I'm probably looking to spend around $400-$500 max. Not saying that this is necessary for a beginner or even advised, but that is what I can get away with to start. I can't really see myself NOT liking this whole...

I haven’t. I’ll check it out.

Would you consider an 8 gallon kettle smallish? Or were you talking about a 5ish gallon size? Would evaporation be higher in an 8 gallon?

Do you have to top off or anything? All of the info I’m seeing make it seem like 4 gallons would be a little tight since some of the water boils off.

Great info thanks man! Yes, definitely some convincing reasons to go with 2.5 gallon batches. I’m in Hoboken so not too far away. Just joined the Jersey City Brew Club Facebook page so hoping to go to some meetings in the future. Probably in the new year.

Thanks so much for all of the help. I'm excited - don't know how I'm going to wait until after Christmas to start. Do you have any recommendations on where to get a cheaper 8 gallon kettle from? Here are a few other options I found...

Thanks for all of the help everyone. Sounds like I should customize my set up. Here is my wishlist so far. Let me know if anyone has anything to add/subtract: 8 Gal. Megapot 1.2 w/ Spigot/valve - $179.99 (Do I need to go 10 gal? Might blow my budget but could use other gift money to...