I currently have a setup for doing 10 gallon extract batches, which I have been splitting with a friend. For my birthday this year, my dad is giving me the money to upgrade to all grain. Since I am using a keggle to boil and a normal 15.5gal Sanke keg to ferment, I was thinking of doing 12 gallon batches: 5 in my keg, 5 in my friend's, and the extra two to bottle as gifts. Based on some research, and reading in Palmer's How To Brew, I'm looking at a 60 quart cooler for a mash tun:
http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_475360_-1?Ntt=60+qt&Ntk=All
with a stainless steel braided ring (assembled per Palmer's instructions) made from this piece:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...r+heater+connector&storeId=10051#.UCRezKOJ7wo
plus a bulkhead fitting for the outflow.
I am thinking 60 quarts because I like my high gravity beers.
I have a single burner, but I have a second smaller kettle (~8gal) for sparge water.
So here's the questions:
1. Is 60 quarts about right for high-ish gravity 12 gallon batches?
2. If I am batch sparging, can I heat the water in my keggle, pour it into the mash tun, then empty into the same keggle an hour later or whatever after it is done?
3. Or do I really need a separate HLT, and if so why?
4. Is the part linked above the right thing to get the stainless hose from?
5. Outside of a bulkhead, vinyl tube, and mash paddle, is there any other equipment I will need?
http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_475360_-1?Ntt=60+qt&Ntk=All
with a stainless steel braided ring (assembled per Palmer's instructions) made from this piece:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...r+heater+connector&storeId=10051#.UCRezKOJ7wo
plus a bulkhead fitting for the outflow.
I am thinking 60 quarts because I like my high gravity beers.
I have a single burner, but I have a second smaller kettle (~8gal) for sparge water.
So here's the questions:
1. Is 60 quarts about right for high-ish gravity 12 gallon batches?
2. If I am batch sparging, can I heat the water in my keggle, pour it into the mash tun, then empty into the same keggle an hour later or whatever after it is done?
3. Or do I really need a separate HLT, and if so why?
4. Is the part linked above the right thing to get the stainless hose from?
5. Outside of a bulkhead, vinyl tube, and mash paddle, is there any other equipment I will need?