IC3500 Good Choice for Beginner?

[mistrx]

Hello all,

I'm new to the hobby and haven't brewed a single batch yet. I've been designing my brewery in my head for months, and am finally ready to pull the trigger. Brewing indoors appeals to me. I have a huge area in the basement and access to electric, water, and a drain.

Having done a lot of reading in these forums and elsewhere I'm leaning toward starting with just an Avantco IC3500. I can put the GFCI receptacle in.

Is this a sound choice for a beginner? I'm expecting to start with simple 5 gallon extract kits that I'll keg. Or would something like a BoilCoil and a controller be a better investment? When I make "capital" purchases I usually lean more toward investing more up front in things that will last for a long time versus buying "starter" equipment and then upgrading it 5 times.

Thanks all!

 

[mredge73]

If you are going to bother with installing a 30A 240vac receptacle I would go ahead and commit to a 5500w immersion coil.
You can get a EZ boil controller ($60 with enclosure), kettle element enclosure ($20-60), and element ($41) for less than the IC3500. Add 10%-20% or so to the cost for cable and connectors.

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=560
https://www.brewhardware.com/category_s/1895.htm
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/element5500_ripple.htm

On the other hand the IC3500 can be used for other things if you decide that home brewing is not for you. However I think this would be considered "starter" equipment by your definition.