Calichusetts
Well-Known Member
So my wife gave me the freedom to go to 5 gallon and buy anything I wanted. She even recommended the blichmann kit form midwest which is about $800.
Now no flaming, but I LOVE 1 gallon! I don't have to go outside, I use 16oz bottles and get a 6-pack, which makes bottling a dream! Carboys are easy to carry and fit in my minifridge for lagering and crashing,etc.
So I am still hesitant to go to 5 gallons (10 gallon kettles) and will most likely move up to 22oz bottles when I do and use the kettle for 3 gallon batches to start off I of course have my eyes on the "top-line" blichmann but I think the blichmann are just too expensive and maybe overpriced. Its more of an opportunity cost issue for me, I can buy kettles and much more with $700 but if they are really worth it I will consider them. So here is the breakdown of what I want:
8-10 gallon boil kettles...two of them with false bottoms...I like the blichmann idea of a snap in dip tube but is it really necessary? I have 10 thumbs so unless its super easy to install (no drilling for me...might as well get blichmann) I want it to come with the kettle. I'll use one as a mash tun and the other as my HLT/boil kettle...I have pots to capture the wort after the first runnings so two should do. And this way I could "upgrade" with another kettle and do double batches at once later in life.
I do not want a a sight gauge (my only issue with blichmann)...I think they are useless and would rather have a lower thermometer to ensure even heating than a sight gauge (I've heard bad things about the thermometer placement with almost all kettles...is this correct that they are generally too high?). I also think auto-sparge, sparge arms are unecessary. I will be batch sparging like I still do
Obviously I will have to buy new carboys, burners and tubing so hopefully the kettles can come in at 500-600, that would be great. I have looked at polarware, megapot, boilermaker, morebeer. So just looking for input or any companies that are often overlooked or less known who can help with this. I've read many reviews but have virtually no experience with these batch sizes and kettles. Wrapping my head around weldless and welded fittings so please help here...leaking issues, etc.
Thanks guys...looking forward to your input...links are encouraged! Really appreciate what you can bring to the table.
Now no flaming, but I LOVE 1 gallon! I don't have to go outside, I use 16oz bottles and get a 6-pack, which makes bottling a dream! Carboys are easy to carry and fit in my minifridge for lagering and crashing,etc.
So I am still hesitant to go to 5 gallons (10 gallon kettles) and will most likely move up to 22oz bottles when I do and use the kettle for 3 gallon batches to start off I of course have my eyes on the "top-line" blichmann but I think the blichmann are just too expensive and maybe overpriced. Its more of an opportunity cost issue for me, I can buy kettles and much more with $700 but if they are really worth it I will consider them. So here is the breakdown of what I want:
8-10 gallon boil kettles...two of them with false bottoms...I like the blichmann idea of a snap in dip tube but is it really necessary? I have 10 thumbs so unless its super easy to install (no drilling for me...might as well get blichmann) I want it to come with the kettle. I'll use one as a mash tun and the other as my HLT/boil kettle...I have pots to capture the wort after the first runnings so two should do. And this way I could "upgrade" with another kettle and do double batches at once later in life.
I do not want a a sight gauge (my only issue with blichmann)...I think they are useless and would rather have a lower thermometer to ensure even heating than a sight gauge (I've heard bad things about the thermometer placement with almost all kettles...is this correct that they are generally too high?). I also think auto-sparge, sparge arms are unecessary. I will be batch sparging like I still do
Obviously I will have to buy new carboys, burners and tubing so hopefully the kettles can come in at 500-600, that would be great. I have looked at polarware, megapot, boilermaker, morebeer. So just looking for input or any companies that are often overlooked or less known who can help with this. I've read many reviews but have virtually no experience with these batch sizes and kettles. Wrapping my head around weldless and welded fittings so please help here...leaking issues, etc.
Thanks guys...looking forward to your input...links are encouraged! Really appreciate what you can bring to the table.