6/12 Gallon AG set-up HELP!

[Pommy]

Right thats it, time to upgrade. This is a big investment for me at the minute but SWMBO has given it the go ahead so lets do it! :rockin:

I normally do 6 gallon batches but since Im brewing nearly every weekend (not that I mind TOO much) I think its a good idea to allow for upgrading to 12 gallon batches. I presume that my mash tun doesnt need to be as big if I am fly sparging, which is an option.

So Id like some advice on a kettle, mlt, burner, ic etc. Also bear in mind I am in New Zealand so Amazon.com is looking like it could be my best choice? Sorry that there are so many threads about the same topic but its a big investment for me and I dont want to stuff it all up and wish I had asked.

Cheers for all your help in advance

Cant wait to get into AG

 

[bullinachinashop]

The 1st and most important question would be " What is your budget?"

You could move up to 12 gal batches with a Keggle as your boil pot but your stating to push the limits of the pot.

You'll need a higher output burner and a solid stand to boil on.

A 48 qt cooler with a pcvc manifold will hold about 26 lbs. of grain with 1.25 Qt/lbs strike water. This grain bill will allow you to make some 7-8% beers depending on your efficiency.

Your old boil pot and burner could be your HLT setup.

This conversion would cost about $200 but could be more or less if you can find the keg and burner locally.

Or, you can spend thousands and buy a top of the line system already built and mostly automatic.

So......... What is your budget?

Bull

 

[jtrainer]

+1.080 to Bull...

However for the mashtun if you are able to obtain a second keggle could be used as a mashtun and I've stuffed 34# of grain at 1.20:# ratio.

My buddy brews in his garage and has a cheap wench. This allows him to move his burner around...

PS Happy Birthday America!

 

[Pommy]

Id like to spend around $200 US really, a pro set-up would be awesome but Id rather spend less and get to put together my own set-up. The set-up is going to have to come to under $500 NZ (about $350 US i think) for me to be able to justify it whilst were supposed to be saving for our wedding and paying off debts. Kegging system will have to wait until next year unfortunately

 

[Pommy]

I was thinking of scimping on the HLT and using my primary for now, adding hot or cold water to adjust temperature, any problems with this approach? I was thinking of maybe doing this using my stove top and MT that I have.

Also I would expect for at least quite a while 80% of my batches will only be 6 gallons so I dont want to upgrade to a level where I struggle with smaller batch sizes.

Also from the looks of things it costs about half as much to have an item shipped from USA to here than to buy in the shops over here but once Ive decided what to get I will obviously compare prices.

 

[Pommy]

Sorry for all the posts...

One thing I need to consider is that whatever set-up I choose to go with it is going to need to be portable due to a lack of space, I will also need to move the primary to ferment and then again for bottling. The obvious way to do this seems to be to use two 6 gallon fermenters and split between the two to make things easier. Is that likely to be my best option?

 

[BrewBeemer]

Id like to spend around $200 US really, a pro set-up would be awesome but Id rather spend less and get to put together my own set-up. The set-up is going to have to come to under $500 NZ (about $350 US i think) for me to be able to justify it whilst were supposed to be saving for our wedding and paying off debts. Kegging system will have to wait until next year unfortunately

Spend like crazy while your single aiming for larger equipment, later you'll be glad you did plus it's harder to reason purchasing twice on brewing equipment being married. Trust me on this one. Keep a Norton on the ready to tour your islands, i'll be visiting some day.