JimmyC-BYOB
brewyourownbrews.com
Hello all you fellow homebrewers,
I recently decided to go all-grain. The problem I have is time and space (me and most others) and I wanted to buy a pre-made system that fit within my budget. I was also looking into a better way to ferment that was also stainless. Main reason was it's easy to clean and sanitize.
My criteria shaped up to the following.
Total Budget = $300
For the brewing:
1. Want a BIAB one vessel system.
2. Start with 110V but is upgradable to 220V.
3. At least a 3-gallon system. Again upgradable if I move to 220V system.
4. Automatic temperature controlled - ideally PID
5. Recirculation
For the fermentor (a little less demanding):
1. Stainless Steel
2. Racking port
3. Easy to clean
After going through an extensive search for a complete electric system I concluded it's as elusive as Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster. I was not going to find an off the shelf unit at the price point I needed. Going to have to build it. (*sigh) I have built crazy complicated systems in the past (3 barrel RIMS and HERMS) and I know the time investment is huge. I don't have that time anymore now that I'm all grown up. (Wife debates that)
So for the build, I decided it had to meet 3 criteria for me to even attempt it.
1. Everything needs to come from one source and dropped at my door. I can't be running around trying to find parts.
2. Assembly has to be easy and straight forward.
3. I want this to be decent quality. Doesn't need to be top of the line but it does need to be robust and reliable.
In the end, I came up with a very decent system. (Stainless BIAB pot design with circulation and PI control and FIAK fermentor with a racking port) All stainless in design, put together in one weekend, flexible and the best part came in well under $300 for both the eBIAB system and the fermentor. It met all of my requirements above. Enough left over to add a sterile air Venturi aerator to complete the system.
Yay for me! Solid self-pat on the back.
So here is the deal. I was thinking I would write this all up and create a "how to" so others that want to get into all grain brewing, but don't have the money or time, could benefit. I know there are four gazillion "how to's" out there on this exact topic. I don't want to clutter up the ether if no one see's any value.
Based on the above, is anyone interested? Comments? Feedback?
Thanks in advance!
I recently decided to go all-grain. The problem I have is time and space (me and most others) and I wanted to buy a pre-made system that fit within my budget. I was also looking into a better way to ferment that was also stainless. Main reason was it's easy to clean and sanitize.
My criteria shaped up to the following.
Total Budget = $300
For the brewing:
1. Want a BIAB one vessel system.
2. Start with 110V but is upgradable to 220V.
3. At least a 3-gallon system. Again upgradable if I move to 220V system.
4. Automatic temperature controlled - ideally PID
5. Recirculation
For the fermentor (a little less demanding):
1. Stainless Steel
2. Racking port
3. Easy to clean
After going through an extensive search for a complete electric system I concluded it's as elusive as Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster. I was not going to find an off the shelf unit at the price point I needed. Going to have to build it. (*sigh) I have built crazy complicated systems in the past (3 barrel RIMS and HERMS) and I know the time investment is huge. I don't have that time anymore now that I'm all grown up. (Wife debates that)
So for the build, I decided it had to meet 3 criteria for me to even attempt it.
1. Everything needs to come from one source and dropped at my door. I can't be running around trying to find parts.
2. Assembly has to be easy and straight forward.
3. I want this to be decent quality. Doesn't need to be top of the line but it does need to be robust and reliable.
In the end, I came up with a very decent system. (Stainless BIAB pot design with circulation and PI control and FIAK fermentor with a racking port) All stainless in design, put together in one weekend, flexible and the best part came in well under $300 for both the eBIAB system and the fermentor. It met all of my requirements above. Enough left over to add a sterile air Venturi aerator to complete the system.
Yay for me! Solid self-pat on the back.
So here is the deal. I was thinking I would write this all up and create a "how to" so others that want to get into all grain brewing, but don't have the money or time, could benefit. I know there are four gazillion "how to's" out there on this exact topic. I don't want to clutter up the ether if no one see's any value.
Based on the above, is anyone interested? Comments? Feedback?
Thanks in advance!