Bach7210
Well-Known Member
I've been brewing extract kits off and on since 2005. I might be in the 20's or so on these and can nearly do one in my sleep. For the longest time I have wanted to move to all-grain but the additional equipment, the confusion on this and that, the whole thing seemed like a big chore, vice a progression of enjoyment in this hobby.
Fast forward to about 3 weeks ago when I decided to start buying up the remaining elements of my kit and subsequent move to all-grain. I decided it would easiest for me to use a 10 gallon cooler (I am using the barginfittings.com conversion kit, works great by the way, and decided on a stainless false bottom) as the mash tun and to go with a turkey fryer (30qt pot included) to do the full boils. I had an immersion chiller and everything else so I felt I was finally ready to give this a try.
I ordered two all-grain kits from one of the online suppliers and this past Sunday was my 1st all-grain brew day.
I have to say this to any of you guys, or gals, out there reading this post and are considering going to all-grain but have those butterflies telling you not too...DO NOT WAIT ANY LONGER!!!!! I couldn't believe how easy this is. Let me put it to you this way, if you can take a temperature reading and use a spoon type device to stir water and grain together...you can do all-grain. Yes I'm simplifying a bit for sake of this post, but honest to God, All-grain is not this mystifying, obscure, secretive, overly difficult process. From what I can tell, that is, if my math is correct, I even hit 85% efficiency on this first go. I'm tickled to say the least.
Bottom line here - if you are comfortable with what you are doing with extract brews, take the jump already. You will not be sorry that you did.
Now of course, since I've written out this post, I'll pour off my first glass of this brew in a few weeks and it will take like monkey p*$$. But, I really don't care. I am just delighted that I took this next step and if things don't work out, then I'll refine my technique and it will only get better from here.
My many many thanks to the die-hards on this board who provide all of us with their vast insight and knowledge on this craft. Without your contributions, I would never have made this leap.
Fast forward to about 3 weeks ago when I decided to start buying up the remaining elements of my kit and subsequent move to all-grain. I decided it would easiest for me to use a 10 gallon cooler (I am using the barginfittings.com conversion kit, works great by the way, and decided on a stainless false bottom) as the mash tun and to go with a turkey fryer (30qt pot included) to do the full boils. I had an immersion chiller and everything else so I felt I was finally ready to give this a try.
I ordered two all-grain kits from one of the online suppliers and this past Sunday was my 1st all-grain brew day.
I have to say this to any of you guys, or gals, out there reading this post and are considering going to all-grain but have those butterflies telling you not too...DO NOT WAIT ANY LONGER!!!!! I couldn't believe how easy this is. Let me put it to you this way, if you can take a temperature reading and use a spoon type device to stir water and grain together...you can do all-grain. Yes I'm simplifying a bit for sake of this post, but honest to God, All-grain is not this mystifying, obscure, secretive, overly difficult process. From what I can tell, that is, if my math is correct, I even hit 85% efficiency on this first go. I'm tickled to say the least.
Bottom line here - if you are comfortable with what you are doing with extract brews, take the jump already. You will not be sorry that you did.
Now of course, since I've written out this post, I'll pour off my first glass of this brew in a few weeks and it will take like monkey p*$$. But, I really don't care. I am just delighted that I took this next step and if things don't work out, then I'll refine my technique and it will only get better from here.
My many many thanks to the die-hards on this board who provide all of us with their vast insight and knowledge on this craft. Without your contributions, I would never have made this leap.