Easiest Way To Go All Grain

[Hayden512]

I'm planning on going all grain for my next batch but holy crap does it seem pricey. I'm planning on converting a 10 gallon cooler to my mash ton but would like to go straight to a false bottom instead of the manifold. I need a bigger kettle as I only have a 5 gallon. Was thinking I want a 10 gallon. I'm going to use my old BK and a smaller cooler for my HLT. And then I need to a mash paddle.

After all this it looks like I may be spending $300 plus. I'm willing but if there's any equipment/tips you guys can give me that won't break the bank I would appreciate it. I'm very adamant on going AG because I feel limited so suggesting to staying extract won't be good advice.

 

[BigJack]

Brew in a bag. Much cheaper. Much easier.

 

[radio2]

What Bigjack said

 

[bob1852]

Bigger kettle is a must for AG (BIAB or traditional AG).

No need for a manifold over a braid (if you don't go BIAB).

No need for a mash paddle at all.

No real need for an HLT either (in my opinion). Use you brew kettle to heat/hold hot water.

Converting a cooler can be done pretty cheap, so your biggest expense will likely be you brew kettle, and those can be found for pretty good prices if you look for non-brewing equipment (crayfish boiling pots, deep fryers, etc.).

 

[doug293cz]

Another vote for BIAB. All you need is the bigger pot and a bag (Wilserbrewer makes good ones.)

Brew on

 

[Sammy86]

Bigger kettle is a must for AG (BIAB or traditional AG).

No need for a manifold over a braid (if you don't go BIAB).

No need for a mash paddle at all.

No real need for an HLT either (in my opinion). Use you brew kettle to heat/hold hot water.

Converting a cooler can be done pretty cheap, so your biggest expense will likely be you brew kettle, and those can be found for pretty good prices if you look for non-brewing equipment (crayfish boiling pots, deep fryers, etc.).

+1

Cheers!

 

[treacheroustexan]

The only thing that cost me to go all grain was my mash tun, which is an igloo cooler with a bazooka tube. Even that might seem a little pricey at first, but in the long run, buying grain is so much cheaper than buying extract.

 

[guitarguy6]

For your mash tun you could use a large nylon bag instead of a false bottom. I started with a bazooka screen but found that a large mesh bag worked better. You will need a larger than 5 gallon kettle. Yes it costs a bit of money but it's like saying, I want to cook a turkey for thanksgiving but why would I buy a stove if a have a microwave? You don't need a mash paddle.

 

[urg8rb8]

I'm planning on going all grain for my next batch but holy crap does it seem pricey. I'm planning on converting a 10 gallon cooler to my mash ton but would like to go straight to a false bottom instead of the manifold. I need a bigger kettle as I only have a 5 gallon. Was thinking I want a 10 gallon. I'm going to use my old BK and a smaller cooler for my HLT. And then I need to a mash paddle.

After all this it looks like I may be spending $300 plus. I'm willing but if there's any equipment/tips you guys can give me that won't break the bank I would appreciate it. I'm very adamant on going AG because I feel limited so suggesting to staying extract won't be good advice.

I am going to Mash In A Bag. Basically, I got a 10 Gallon Igloo cooler for like $35, then got a huge grain bag for $6. The plan is to just mash with the bag in the cooler. I think that will prevent the need to get all the extras for the cooler. The extra $40 or so will pay itself off in like 3 beer batches... and save me money in the long run.

 

[Paps]

Hello there. As mentioned above you can get a boil kettle on the cheap if you get something not made for brewing specifically.
Mine is an aluminium 10-gal i bought for maybe 50 bux.
Heat your strike/sparge water in it (batch sparge) and do the boil in it.
Use your old/smaller pot to collect the 1rst runnings and hold them until your sparge is in the hash tun, then dumpem in the BK. Works fine for me.Don't see why it wouldn't work fine for you.

 

[Iseneye]

If you're looking at cost alone it's brew in a bag all day. One vessel a bag and you're all done. See link below:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=233289

 

[ColeVet67]

Easiest way to go AG is walk into your local brewery and start mashing in and brewing. That is, until you get kicked out..
LOL..

All seriousness, BIAB, will probably be your best bet. I dont the brew kettle is gonna be your biggest investment. 10G minimum. The problem i see with BIAB is lifting 10, 11, and 12lbs of wet grains up and down.

 

[Gavin C]

Another voice in the crowd voting for BIAB.

I just love this process. It can be as simple (cheap) or as complex (less cheap) as you want it to be. The desire for better equipment is no different to other hobbies or way to brew.

I like my setup the way I have now it but a did invest in 1 or 2 extra brew gadjets to refine my process.

Stove top BIAB

A couple of BIAB walkthroughs in my signature below. A thread and article on HBT that may be of use in determining what you do and don't need. Very little is needed up front with BIAB.

Pot (bigger is better), Bag (get a good one), Something to ferment in.

 

[CBelli]

I love all grain and support your decision to go that route...
Personally I use 2 coolers and a boil kettle....
I find the control to be well worth it.

I don't know too much about BIAB but from what I hear having a pump to recirculate is the best way to do it... Holding an exact mash temp otherwise seems to me too problematic... That said I have never done it and I could be completely wrong...

 

[Brew_G]

Easiest way to go AG is walk into your local brewery and start mashing in and brewing. That is, until you get kicked out..
LOL..

All seriousness, BIAB, will probably be your best bet. I dont the brew kettle is gonna be your biggest investment. 10G minimum. The problem i see with BIAB is lifting 10, 11, and 12lbs of wet grains up and down.

I have a 9-gallon kettle and can do full-volume mashes of nearly 12 lbs of grain; I can do 1- or 2-gallon sparge a easily if I need (really large grain bill) or want to. I don't find lifting the bag and placing it on my colander to be terribly difficult, but perhaps that's because I'm a strapping semi-young lad!