I have been extract brewing for almost a year now using just the beginner stuff I bought for my first batch (5 gallon kettle, plastic bucket and carboy, and all the other little stuff). I can't get my mind off brewing and am eager to start all-grain ASAP. Can you guys please help me figure out what I need to get started? For monetary reasons and because I'd rather make lots of smaller batches than fewer big batches, I want to stick to 5 gallons at least for a while.
1. I assume I need a 10 gallon cooler rather than a 5 gallon cooler? Does that leave too much air space in the tun that will make it harder to temp control? Is is possible/practical to use a 5 gallon cooler?
2. How big should my kettle be? I'm guessing at least 8 gallons but I'd love to get some input from people who have done it a lot and know how big you should go to maximize efficiency and reduce any chance of boil-over.
3. Anything else I need that I am overlooking? Eventually it would be awesome to get an awesome HERMS set up, but for now is a cooler and bigger kettle enough to make the switch? I don't care about the stuff that isn't absolutely essential- I'll get there eventually but for now I just want to get started with what I can afford.
Thanks in advance for your help!! Cheers.
1. I assume I need a 10 gallon cooler rather than a 5 gallon cooler? Does that leave too much air space in the tun that will make it harder to temp control? Is is possible/practical to use a 5 gallon cooler?
2. How big should my kettle be? I'm guessing at least 8 gallons but I'd love to get some input from people who have done it a lot and know how big you should go to maximize efficiency and reduce any chance of boil-over.
3. Anything else I need that I am overlooking? Eventually it would be awesome to get an awesome HERMS set up, but for now is a cooler and bigger kettle enough to make the switch? I don't care about the stuff that isn't absolutely essential- I'll get there eventually but for now I just want to get started with what I can afford.
Thanks in advance for your help!! Cheers.