Best All-grain setup

[epistrummer]

Ok, I've got a couple extracts under my belt plus a partial mash and so it is that I am getting curious about all grain brewing next. I want to know what you all think about what kind of setup I should get. I don't think I want to do batches bigger than 5 gallons. I've checked out Northern Brewer, they seem to have some good stuff, just not sure what I want to do here.

 

[chetduggan]

I've started out with Brew in a bag (biab) doing 3-5gal batches and it has worked out great for me so far. A 5gal pot, a 5gal paint strainers from Lowes, a wort chiller, and 5gal carboys. Easy all grain with great results!

 

[homebrewmike]

Well I think it comes down to batch size and how much money you want to invest. My AG set up cost about $150, but I limited myself to 5 gallon batches.

 

[TimpanogosSlim]

The perfect is the enemy of the good.

Depends on your budget and intentions. You can get going with a 5 gallon BIAB setup for like $50 if you are persistent and/or lucky. scavenge craigslist, yard sales, etc, for a turkey fryer rig. Buy paint strainer bags at the hardware store. Ferment in food-grade buckets purchased from restaurants and/or whoever on CL or your local classifieds is selling food-grade buckets for a few bucks each. Raid recycling for recappable bottles.

I spent a lot more, but i have more to spend.

 

[epistrummer]

The perfect is the enemy of the good.

Depends on your budget and intentions. You can get going with a 5 gallon BIAB setup for like $50 if you are persistent and/or lucky. scavenge craigslist, yard sales, etc, for a turkey fryer rig. Buy paint strainer bags at the hardware store. Ferment in food-grade buckets purchased from restaurants and/or whoever on CL or your local classifieds is selling food-grade buckets for a few bucks each. Raid recycling for recappable bottles.

I spent a lot more, but i have more to spend.

I'm not on a tight budget, I just want to get the best bang for my buck in a 5gallon capacity. I'm looking for an efficient, easy to use setup. Are the Rubbermaid cooler kits from Northern Brewer a good way to go? Should I get the fancy kettle with the built in thermometer? Which burner is best? I don't think I should spend $1000 to do all-grain, but if I have to spend $500-600 to do it right then that's fine.

 

[wSelwyn]

If you plan on doing any sort of AG beer with an OG over ~1.060, go with the 10gal mash tun. I did, and I like the ability to both go big, as well as do 10gal batches. I bought a converted keg, which also helps with the larger gravities/batches as well as avoid boil overs.

 

[veritas524]

Bayou classic 15 gal ss pot on amazon, a Turkey fryer, and a DIY home depot mash tun cost me about $250 and is more than ample. I would suggest in a good thermometer too such as a thermapen and a copy of beersmith.

 

[Dunerunner]

It's all been said...

Depth of pocket
Amount of fermentation and kegging space
Number of thirsty friends and neighbors
Depth of personal thirst
Amount of time your relatives visit....After the find out how good your beer is!!

Enjoy!!

 

[jbaysurfer]

for 5-600 you could get everything listed by veritas, buy a pump and 10' of high temp tubing and you've got my set up exactly (with some variation on kettle).

The pump is essential in that price range. It helps vorlaufing and transferring tremendously. Get an immersion chiller too. 50' if possible, or a plate chiller, since you'll have a pump to clean it.

You've got a nice budget, think it through and you'll have everything you need to make really great beer.

I use the SQ14 Bayou Burner, there's another thread on that subject from earlier.

 

[jetmac]

Are you a DIY'er or do you want to but stuff ready to go.

For $850 you could get a Brew Sculpture from MoreBeer.com

You could buy the plans for a Brutus 10 single-tier, all-stainless brewery from BYO

I would forego buying a "kit"

I myself built a mash tun using a 36qt Coleman xTreme cooler with a braided line
for about $60

Get you one of these 62 qt SS pot and add a ball valve and site glass from Brewhardware

No real need for a "tri-clad" bottom

An SQ14 Burner

I've been using 1 kettle for strike water and boiling wort, and a 5 gallon cooler to keep my sparge water warm.