Brewing setup-Opinions?

[Aristotle]

Alright I just want to say thank you all for the info that you place on this forum; I have been reading it for about a month and can't believe how much I've been missing out on. I hope that I can get some great opinions on my setup and possibly advice. Lets begin.

Budget: $500

Cost: ~$482.00 minus bottles, I have a plan to get cheap bottles. so it will come out to about $500 once i get 96 bottles.

All of the items I am getting are from NB except my kettle which is from amazon.

NB:
Deluxe beer starter kit
Immersion Chiller
bayou classic sp10
28" plastic paddle
Screen for funnel
Star San
PBW

and of course the beer, I picked cause it seemed simple and it was highly rated but feel free to tell me whats what, I like beer but my pallette is new and untrained. I chose the Wyeast version of all the yeast packets and ordered 5oz of corn sugar with each for priming. Plus an icepack cause it seemed like cheap insurance.

American wheat beer extract kit
Irish Red Ale Extract Kit w/ Specialty Grains
Dry Irish Stout Extract Kit w/ Specialty Grains

and now the kettle from Amazon


Bayou Classic 1036, 36-Qt. Stainless Fryer/Steamer with Vented Lid

Shipping for NB: was $7.99
Shipping from Amazon: FREE!

Critique, applaud, or laugh; just give me something. I hope this is enough info for everyone to go off of, if not just ask me and I'll add whatever you need. Thank you.

 

[Spot29er]

Everything looks good to me. I would have went for a spoon over a mash paddle, but that is just a preference. Have fun and enjoy the results of your labor.

 

[Dunerunner]

You're rockin'! let us know how it turns out!!

 

[Aristotle]

Awesome and thanks, I obviously haven't did this before so I have no preference I just knew I needed something and it looked good, may be switching to spoon

 

[Rix44]

looks like you'll b e ready to go. i too got my starter kit from NB and it has all performed well. You may want to look into the an immersion chiller from NY Brew Supply ( on amazon).
I scored a 3/8" 50' chiller for 70$. the 50' is kinda over kill for 5 gallons batches but for the extra few beans you will chill faster and you will be ready for 10 gallon batches /AG. just a thought.

 

[Aristotle]

looks like you'll b e ready to go. i too got my starter kit from NB and it has all performed well. You may want to look into the an immersion chiller from NY Brew Supply ( on amazon).
I scored a 3/8" 50' chiller for 70$. the 50' is kinda over kill for 5 gallons batches but for the extra few beans you will chill faster and you will be ready for 10 gallon batches /AG. just a thought.

Thanks for the advice I live in a college apartment so not sure if I have the room for AG yet but it cant hurt to plan ahead, I'll probably have enough room in a year or two. I found the IC you were talking about $69.49 with 11.85 shipping. I will definitely think about it, I may take away one extract kit and go with that, can't do three batches right now anyway. Thank you.

 

[Kahuna]

Looking good. Now get brewing!

 

[smokewater]

Thanks for the advice I live in a college apartment so not sure if I have the room for AG yet but it cant hurt to plan ahead, I'll probably have enough room in a year or two.

You could go all grain BIAB now with what you have. All you need is a large mesh nylon grain bag and a smaller pot to boil some sparge water. The money you save in ingredients will more than pay for it over time.

 

[Aristotle]

Hmmmm? Just looked up BIAB(n00b I know). Any downsides to doing this verse extract or regular AG? I just want to know if there could be flavor problems with this. I'll still do extract first just so I can get a feel for the basic run, but I want to go to AG asap. Only problem is I only have the $500 to start. Thanks smokewater.

 

[gregpio85]

Welcome. As long as you don't let your bag burn, releasing a half pound of grain that scorches on the bottom of the kettle that I still haven't been able to clean off completely (oh i mean...) you're good.

Efficiency can be on par with traditional AG brewing or better, plus you get the advantage of crafting a grain bill that extract can't touch.

Cheers!

 

[McMalty]

just my opinion, but i would consider carbonating with Dry Malt Extract (DME). I used priming sugar for years when i was a newby, but ever since i switched to DME, i've found that i have less problems with carbonation (eg. over-carbonation). it really doesn't matter that much, but personally, i really prefer dme.....plus i think it's less expensive...

 

[Aristotle]

Ya after looking at BIAB methods it seemed pretty legit nice easy step into AG if not a full step just different way of doing it. Ya I looked at so many ways to prime and decided I'll just use sugar for my first few batches then switch to something else, then something else, etc... Once I find a beer that my friends and, more importantly, I like I will use that as a test batch so priming, fruit, temps, yeast, etc. till I learn some of the different things I can do.

Thanks for the help everyone! Keep it coming ill need all I can get.

 

[bovineblitz]

just my opinion, but i would consider carbonating with Dry Malt Extract (DME). I used priming sugar for years when i was a newby, but ever since i switched to DME, i've found that i have less problems with carbonation (eg. over-carbonation). it really doesn't matter that much, but personally, i really prefer dme.....plus i think it's less expensive...

I really don't think DME is cheaper than sugar...

 

[Aristotle]

Ya DME looks a little more expensive, not too bad. It seems to be pretty controversial as to which priming agent is the best. I'm going to assume it just depends on the beer, like I said I'm going to try them all then I'll post my thoughts/experiences on them.

 

[twheelz]

and now the kettle from Amazon


Bayou Classic 1036, 36-Qt. Stainless Fryer/Steamer with Vented Lid

Hey I figured I would let you know - that "TW" review on Amazon with the one star for this pot is from me. Make sure when you get this pot, you fill it up past the handles (6 gallons) with cool water first. Mine leaked out of the handles - and another reviewer on Amazon had the same issue.

Other than the leaks, it's a nice pot - but I can't handle a 9-gallon pot that only holds 6 gallons! Maybe it was a quirk, but definitely check it with water first! I went with a 10-gallon aluminum instead (Amazon is great with returns so that wasn't a problem).

Good luck!

 

[cms]

How quickly will you brew all those kits? Personally, I would get the yeast locally (if that's an option for you) the day before my brew days. I have been able to get smack pack that with a packaged-on date showing maybe 1 week before. I believe the viable count will degrade somewhat over time (opposed to dry yeast). Not sure how big a deal this is, but seems 'safer' to me. Plus I can usually think of a few other things to get while I'm there... An extra hop bag, blowoff tubing, etc. There's always something.

Have a great time brewing!

 

[Aristotle]

Hey I figured I would let you know - that "TW" review on Amazon with the one star for this pot is from me. Make sure when you get this pot, you fill it up past the handles (6 gallons) with cool water first. Mine leaked out of the handles - and another reviewer on Amazon had the same issue.

Other than the leaks, it's a nice pot - but I can't handle a 9-gallon pot that only holds 6 gallons! Maybe it was a quirk, but definitely check it with water first! I went with a 10-gallon aluminum instead (Amazon is great with returns so that wasn't a problem).

Good luck!

Ya I read that and was a little worried. I can't tell by the picture but couldn't I just use a good amount of teflon tape and be fine? (I realize I shouldn't have too but o well it's cheaper than others so I can live with fixing it up)

How quickly will you brew all those kits? Personally, I would get the yeast locally (if that's an option for you) the day before my brew days. I have been able to get smack pack that with a packaged-on date showing maybe 1 week before. I believe the viable count will degrade somewhat over time (opposed to dry yeast). Not sure how big a deal this is, but seems 'safer' to me. Plus I can usually think of a few other things to get while I'm there... An extra hop bag, blowoff tubing, etc. There's always something.

Have a great time brewing!

Good point I was ordering them so I wouldn't have to pay the $7.99 shipping every time but if it's not going to be good idk if that is worth it... anyone have opinions on this or experience buying in bulk, if you can call it that? And if i made a starter every time would that balance it out for me. I have no problem making one so if that would work please tell me. Btw i had plans to make them one after another so how ever long it takes to clear my primary, I'll only have one, per batch.

 

[jeffmeh]

If you have not pulled the trigger on the kettle, I would go with something larger. You would have much more flexibility with full-volume, BIAB in a 15 gallon pot.

 

[Denny's Evil Concoctions]

There really is no noticeable difference in flavour when priming with DME vs Corn sugar or Cane sugar. It's to small an amount to make any significant flavour impact.

 

[superjunior]

Btw i had plans to make them one after another so how ever long it takes to clear my primary, I'll only have one, per batch.

if your budget allows grab yourself another bucket or two. they're fairly cheap and will allow you build up a good stash faster

 

[twheelz]

Ya I read that and was a little worried. I can't tell by the picture but couldn't I just use a good amount of teflon tape and be fine? (I realize I shouldn't have too but o well it's cheaper than others so I can live with fixing it up)

I don't think teflon tape will help... The handles are spot-welded. Not sure where you would tape them.

I got this one and it works great. You do need to purchase the lid separately, if you want the lid. With my propane burner I don't really need it but I did get one just in case:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CHKL68

 

[Aristotle]

If you have not pulled the trigger on the kettle, I would go with something larger. You would have much more flexibility with full-volume, BIAB in a 15 gallon pot.

How's this? If I take off two extract batches I'll have enough money for the upgrade. I'm in college so I'm broke but I'm selling my Peavey guitar amp + peddle and extras for $500(fingers crossed) so that's all I'll have for a little while... but I do have friends who like to drink I could just make a beer jar, I have one already it was just for commercial beer... crappy commercial beer at that

62 Qt kettle

 

[Aristotle]

I don't think teflon tape will help... The handles are spot-welded. Not sure where you would tape them.

I got this one and it works great. You do need to purchase the lid separately, if you want the lid. With my propane burner I don't really need it but I did get one just in case:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CHKL68

HAHA didn't notice they were spot-welded :cross: I guess the 62 Qt. might have the same problem... ugh. Just when I thought I was good to go

 

[RM-MN]

I'd say it would be fine to get all three ingredient kits at once and brew them it quick succession as you won't have to wait too long for the wheat beer to mature and can be drinking that while the red ale matures and then you will have a longer wait for the Irish stout as it will take somewhere near 2 to 3 months to get really good.

From my experience plus what I've learned here, I'd recommend that you substitute a basic starter kit for your deluxe kit and then add 2 more fermenter buckets with lids and airlocks. You are likely to want to have 3 brews going at once and may never use a secondary carboy. I have 2 fermenter bucket and one carboy and had to use my carboy as a primary fermenter as often as I used it for a secondary.

If you opt to use just the plastic buckets for fermenting, you can skip the screen and funnel too. I've begun just dumping the whole mess into the fermenter and let it sort itself out in the yeast cake. I haven't noticed any detrimental flavors from doing this and I never plug a screen this way either. I already have some large kitchen spoons that I use in place of the paddle. Your call on this one.

 

[Aristotle]

Idk why but I have this scare of plastic buckets. I think it's the scratches and fact that my LHBers all have glass. I want more primaries but don't have the money yet. I'll look at some buckets and opinions thanks man it would definitely work for me as long as my phobia of them goes away lol.

 

[Aristotle]

Noticed quite a few people are reading this so I thought I would give you an update.

I have switched many things around and will be posting them today... I have tests and essays to do.

My biggest problem is that for a 15 gallon pot I would need a larger IC so I would end up spending way to much for my budget. Other than that I'm pretty set. Biggest change is BB instead of glass and instead of buying the kit i made my own, hence the reason it will take awhile to post.

Thank you everyone. :rockin:

 

[frankstoneline]

DIY the immersion chiller and look into the 15 gallon pot or putting together a keggle, also if you plan on sixing up to a keggle I think the bayou classic burner you mentioned initially is too small, so you might look at the SQ14, I picked mine up for around 50 bucks shipped, and I've been brewing partial mashes and BIAB style on it, getting about 4 and a half brews out of a 20# propane tank. Again, these are my opinions coming from someone who has been putting together a setup as the need arises, but I find that thinking ahead a bit and reading a lot makes expanding the system pretty straightforward.

 

[RM-MN]

I've done about 20 batches in the plastic buckets and don't have them scratched enough to bother me yet. Some people have done far more than that without problems so I wouldn't worry if I were you.

 

[bovineblitz]

if a 25' IC is big enough, there's a really inexpensive one with hose fittings at learntobrew.com. I have it and it's worked well for me.