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I've been brewing with a Pico Pro for about 2 years now, and looking to make the jump into "for real" all-grain brewing. With that in mind, I'm trying to figure out what kind of rig I want to buy/assemble. From my reading, I'm fairly certain I don't want to go to a full 3-vessel HERMS setup. But I'm going back and forth between doing BIAB (likely with a basket rather than a bag) or a 2-vessel (BK/MT) Kettle RIMS setup. I was hoping the smart folks here could help me weigh out the pros and cons.
First, a couple of assumptions:
So far I've primarily been looking at Brew Boss or Grounded Brewtech for BIAB, or doing the 2-vessel thing either through High Gravity or a pair of custom Spike kettles. Would probably drive those with an Auber Cube2.
So what are some of the details that should be leaning me in one direction or another?
First, a couple of assumptions:
- Budget is around $2600, but that has to include kegs and fermentation. Thinking 1 or 2 brew bucket + beverage fridge + heating pad + inkbird setup(s) for the latter.
- I will be doing electric for sure, already have a 30A circuit and spa panel installed in the garage.
- Garage is unheated. Temp right now is upper 40s while it's in the teens outside, so figure on the really cold days it might get into the 30s.
- I do have a 4000W heater I could run in advance of brew day, but it use the same circuit (different outlet), so couldn't be used during heat to strike or the boil (might be fine during recirculation)
- I will not be installing ventilation, so whatever kettle I'm boiling in will have a steam condenser
- I have a cold water supply (hose bib), but no hot water or sewage
- I don't envision ever doing batches larger than 5G. It's pretty much just me and my father-in-law that drink beer, so 2 kegs a month is about as fast as we can go through it.
- I'm not planning on bottling
So far I've primarily been looking at Brew Boss or Grounded Brewtech for BIAB, or doing the 2-vessel thing either through High Gravity or a pair of custom Spike kettles. Would probably drive those with an Auber Cube2.
So what are some of the details that should be leaning me in one direction or another?
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