Brew set up upgrade question

[Steampunk]

Have a little bit of extra cash and looking at making a bit of an upgrade and or addition to the set up.

I have taken the approach of upgrades based on making better beer. Seems to make sense to me.

I currently have no brewstand, just a blichmann floor burner and some shelving I was going to get myself a Blichmann top tier, but now I at considering getting the tower of power with another burner instead.

Any feedback, what do you think?

 

[LandoLincoln]

How's your fermentation control?

 

[sniperd]

If you don't keg already, I'd do that. It gives you the option to larger in a keg, it's much faster (more time to brew!), if you put a nitro tank/tap on you can't replicate that with bottles, etc.

However considering you have Blichmann gear, I would guess you already keg.

 

[Steampunk]

I have a temp controll unit and freezer I use for ferm control.

I do still bottle, but thats not a huge hassle for me as I make fairly small batches. My beer is finally at a stage where it is drinkable, not good. So no point in making ten gallons of yuck.

 

[kh54s10]

I have a temp controll unit and freezer I use for ferm control.

I do still bottle, but thats not a huge hassle for me as I make fairly small batches. My beer is finally at a stage where it is drinkable, not good. So no point in making ten gallons of yuck.

You have fermentation control. Check your temperature control during the brew session. If you are using liquid yeast and don't have the equipment for starters I would spend money there.

Concentrate on:
1) Cleanliness and sanitation.
2) Temperature control throughout.
3) Yeast pitching rates.

You should already be making beer about as good as you can buy and sometimes better. I would work on this - then buy the bling.

I brewed extracts in an aluminum stock pot on the stove and was getting beers as good as commercial before I spent money on expanding my equipment.

 

[Steampunk]

Dry yeasts better than lquds?


So then since you are advocating for temp control go with top?

 

[KeyWestBrewing]

Dry yeasts better than lquds?

So then since you are advocating for temp control go with top?

I think you'll get many different opinions to that question. You get more variety with liquid yeast, which can be really helpful depending on the style your brewing. But US05 has been my go to yeast for nearly all my beers and they come out great. I also use a swamp cooler and have no trouble keeping my carboy in the low 60s. I'd say upgrade what you think needs it. If temp control has been an issue then that's a good upgrade. Maybe it's a bigger mash tun or boil kettle or maybe just Beersmith. Without going through a brew day with you it's hard to say what would be the best upgrade for your wants/needs.... I think you'll have a better idea on where the best place to invest that money is if you take a step back and look at your brewing process and system. Cuz in the end its what works for you and making your system work for you. Best of luck!!

 

[sniperd]

Something I might also look at is trying to save time and look for value. Is there some cheap/easy upgrades that you just don't have? Some things I can think of:

an extra large autosiphon (I think there are at least 2 sizes)
nylon hop bags
a spray bottle with starsan and water in it
a wine thief (for taking readings/samples from fermenters)
a nice digital scale, buy your hops by the pound, save big money
a good digital thermometer, not cheap but great to have. I wrote something up here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/best-digital-thermometer-314825/index2.html

Good luck!