Any reason not to start with all grain

[Robusto]

Hi guys. So, is there any reason that someone should not begin brewing by going the all grain route? I know that it requires more equipment, which costs more, but why not just jump in head first and go all grain?

Thanks guys

 

[amandabab]

If you like the process and have time, jump right in. Its not really any harder than extract.

 

[Calichusetts]

I started and have only done AG...I didn't even know about extract when I started

 

[Markd27]

I don't see why you couldn't.

However, starting with an extract batch or two would probably allow you to focus more on things like sanitation, wort cooling, etc, without the hassle of worrying about grains, mash rests, and sparging. There's probably something to be said for that.

 

[thetragichero]

i did 1 extract batch, 1 partial mash batch, and then have been all grain since
i felt like using extract was lacking, and that i wasn't as involved as i wanted to be on brew day
don't think there's anything wrong with jumping into the deep end

also, cheers from a former hoboken resident

 

[davis119]

one reason i could think of iis $$$ make 100% sure this will be a steady hobby before making that jump

 

[passedpawn]

I'd say go for it. I made a few extract batches and didn't really like it, and consequently quit for a few years. Started again with AG and it's been great since.

I taught my two brothers to brew. They've only done AG. One of them is a member here (and a frequent and good brewer).

 

[BrewJob87]

Go for it and don't look back.. Although you learn good habits while extract brewing.. I did extract for about 12 batches and now I wish I had done it sooner

 

[davis119]

the first time i brewed i said to my bro in law that taught me extract was
its kinda like making mac n cheese
follow the recipe on the box and you should get good beer
but i stand by my comment on $$

 

[Uziyahu]

I do extract only, since I have very little space (and SWMBO does not want to spend more money on equipment). I think extract has allowed me to concentrate on making sure I get some of the fundamentals down for the process of brewing before I worry about mashing. I'm currently focusing a lot on controlling fermentation to get the best product. It all depends on how you want to go about it.

 

[Tinga]

I started all grain brewing because I like to hit the ground running and I think I know enough to do it well enough the first time. Well I usually don't know enough when I first start out. I wish I would have started with extract and learned about fermentation and started with the right equipment to build from. As a beginner I put together anything I could to use and I didn't really know what I wanted or needed and ended up buying more things than I needed and ruining some other things because I wasn't sure how everything was going to work out and how I wanted things to work.

 

[Rbeckett]

Hi guys. So, is there any reason that someone should not begin brewing by going the all grain route? I know that it requires more equipment, which costs more, but why not just jump in head first and go all grain?

Thanks guys

Dude, I went the cheapo MR Beer route and did one batch. Now I am about 99% done with a kick ass sculpture with all kinds of bells and whistles added in just because I could. The whole engineering problem with chem, Botany, Yeast Farming, Water analysis and all the other little questions that arise hold my interest extremely well. If I am not building, the I am in the garden growing Hops, or installing my RO/DI unit or building an iron pipe gas system. Yeah it is a little more expensive to start with, but all the little bells and whistle along with the brewing process make up for the cost pretty quick. I say go for it. If you decide it isn't for you, you can always sell it on Craigslist or Ebay.
Bob

 

[bottlebomber]

I have a buddy I've been mentoring out in the garage... 4 batches now and he's off an running. He had no desire to use extracts, and now he has no need to. I would definitely start AG if you think you can.

 

[amandabab]

the first time i said to my bro in law that taught me extract was
its kinda like making mac n cheese
follow the recipe on the box and you should get good beer
but i stand by my comment on $$

The truth is, unless you own a malting kiln your at the mercy of the same few companies as the extract buyers.

just another step in the recipe.

 

[veritas524]

Personally I wish I would have stayed with extract a little longer than I did. Not saying there is anything wrong with going straight to all grain, but there is a crap load of refining you can do to your processses while extract brewing that will make your all grain beers that much better. I think researching and executing proper yeast and fermentation procedures vs. All grain procedures and water chemistry is more valuable to a new Brewer. Less on your plate for you to focus and digest a critical part of making beer.

 

[CidCitrus]

I wish I had gotten the equipment to be able to do all grain and then done extract to learn the process, instead of buying a 5 gallon pot, using an ice bath, trying to boil on a weak stove burner, etc. I just feel like I wasted a good amount of time and money by starting with partial boil extract only to upgrade less than a year later.

 

[davis119]

I wish I had gotten the equipment to be able to do all grain and then done extract to learn the process, instead of buying a 5 gallon pot, using an ice bath, trying to boil on a weak stove burner, etc. I just feel like I wasted a good amount of time and money by starting with partial boil extract only to upgrade less than a year later.

Time maybe. Money no. There isn't any thing u bought then that u don't us now. Unless u went all out to a brew stand and 3 kettles.
I use my 5gl pot for sparge / strike water.

 

[Bigcorona]

I went straight into all grain and have been quite happy. A little more expensive on the equipment side, but if you buy grain by the bag and hops by the pound, it quickly pays for itself. If you are not really sure this hobby is for you then start with extract or BIAB. For me there was no turning back after the first brew. Half price beer if I compare it to BMC, 80% discount to craft brew. You can try any stile that strikes your fancy. This board has all the recipes and knowledge you need.

 

[CidCitrus]

Time maybe. Money no. There isn't any thing u bought then that u don't us now. Unless u went all out to a brew stand and 3 kettles.
I use my 5gl pot for sparge / strike water.

yeah i guess it's not that much more money, since i use the pot for various things but boy was that stove weak. it takes me less time to do all grain than it did for extract

 

[davis119]

yeah i guess it's not that much more money, since i use the pot for various things but boy was that stove weak. it takes me less time to do all grain than it did for extract

Oh sure. I was just saying. I think of extract equipment at burner. 5gl pot and the usual bucket kit.
So all of that stuff you reuse with all grain. But once u start budding mash tuns and keggles and chillers it gets out of hand quick

Op go for it if you know u will like it or have disposable income.
Or go BIAB before you bold a mlt and stuff

 

[siucubfan]

After several months of researching I decided to jump straight to AG. I have a 3 keggle system and brew stand. I think if you research enough then you can go straight to AG. I did countless hours of reading forums on here and read How to Brew. Doing that, you then understand the importance and the how to of sanitation, wort cooling, etc. It's more expensive but could always check craigslist, ebay and the classifieds section here for quality used setups.

 

[logdrum]

No reason to not jump straight in. It might be helpful if you could assist someone's brew day, to get a feel for the rhythm of the process, but if you've read up, watched the YouTube videos, I say go for it.

 

[dougdecinces]

Hi guys. So, is there any reason that someone should not begin brewing by going the all grain route?

No.

 

[dover97]

I've only done all-grain and I have never regretted not starting with extract. I actually think that all-grain makes more sense as you are not taking steps that are already completed for you and then adding more steps (I guess I am talking more about partial mash or steeping grains). My suggestion is to brew with an experienced all-grain brewer that is using the same water that you will be using and a similar setup and they should be able to teach you how to make 70% of beer styles pretty well following the same rules. The only difference is you are soaking grains for an hour at a certain temperature. Pretty much all of the critical steps take place once you cool the wort. As others have said it will take more time and my guess is about $70 (if you are on the cheap and use a cooler with a pvc pipe manifold and an inexpensive valve).

 

[djfriesen]

You can do AG BIAB with almost no additional cost over extract. The only real addition you'll need is a $40 turkey fryer kit.

I started with a little 1 gallon AG setup from Brooklyn Brew Shop. In fact, the first time I brewed, I didn't even know there was such a thing as extract brewing. I thought that section on HBT was for fruit and flavoring extracts . This gave me the ability to fine-tune my process and understanding of AG brewing (sanitation, mashing, fermentation/pitching) on the scale of a stovetop-sized batch. It made jumping up to BIAB 5+ gallon batches pretty simple. Plus, I still use almost everything in that initial kit I bought.

There's no reason I can see to not start with AG. You can choose to go small scale, so you don't spend as much up front, in case you don't care for the process (but I don't know too many people that have tried it and not liked it). Or, you can jump in at 5 gallon batches. If you get equipment for BIAB, you are only spending $40-$50 more than you would for extract brewing, and you can always upgrade to a traditional AG process later.