jasonh
Well-Known Member
So I've been doing extract brewing on the stove, and I'm trying to plan out an upgrade path to take, and there seem to be two basic paths for improvement / convenience, etc.
1) Fermentation temp control / kegging / serving
2) All-Grain / Full boil
I've priced out entries into both paths with room to expand later, and it seems like the first step in either comes out very similar in price
For 1)
a) Chest freezer (Big enough to expand to a dual-chambered fermentation / serving setup w/different temps in each chamber)
b) Dual-stage temp controller
($200-300, depending on the freezer and whether I do wiring myself...so call it $250 unless I find a steal on a chest freezer via craigslist)
(Kegging upgrade available later for ~$200)
For 2)
a) basic 10gal stainless brewpot
b) 10gal water cooler mash tun w/false bottom and fittings
c) Propane burner
d) Wort chiller
($270)
It seems like the all-grain route is probably the best bang for the buck, but I do also really want to get to the point of kegging and better temp control (it's going to get tough to keep temps come summer, and I'll probably be pulling the trigger on most of this stuff in Feb/March once I get tax returns, etc). I also like the whole secondary in corny keg + oxygen-less transfer for clearing/serving, etc...so I'm torn.
What would you guys do? Any other ideas/comments?
1) Fermentation temp control / kegging / serving
2) All-Grain / Full boil
I've priced out entries into both paths with room to expand later, and it seems like the first step in either comes out very similar in price
For 1)
a) Chest freezer (Big enough to expand to a dual-chambered fermentation / serving setup w/different temps in each chamber)
b) Dual-stage temp controller
($200-300, depending on the freezer and whether I do wiring myself...so call it $250 unless I find a steal on a chest freezer via craigslist)
(Kegging upgrade available later for ~$200)
For 2)
a) basic 10gal stainless brewpot
b) 10gal water cooler mash tun w/false bottom and fittings
c) Propane burner
d) Wort chiller
($270)
It seems like the all-grain route is probably the best bang for the buck, but I do also really want to get to the point of kegging and better temp control (it's going to get tough to keep temps come summer, and I'll probably be pulling the trigger on most of this stuff in Feb/March once I get tax returns, etc). I also like the whole secondary in corny keg + oxygen-less transfer for clearing/serving, etc...so I'm torn.
What would you guys do? Any other ideas/comments?