smithchar526
Active Member
I am trying to get back into brewing after a 5 year break, so lets just assume I dont remember anything and am new to brewing.
I am ditching most of my old setup for various reasons and want to do the BIAB method and primarily do 2.5 gallon batches but want to have the option to do 5 gallon batches from time to time.
So just trying to gather a parts list and make sure I am not missing anything.
My budget isnt great so I am trying to get the best I can without going crazy but I would rather buy good once and not have to replace crap that doesnt hold up. Dont need high end but dont want bottom of the barrel either.
#1. I need a new brew kettle. I plan on a 10 gallon one. One concern is if I get a 10 gallon is the location of the thermometer. In a 10 gallon pot they look to put them in about the same place which from what I can tell almost looks to be near the 4 gallon mark (just a guess looking at pictures), which I would think would be to high for 2.5 gallon batches? I have threaded 3 way ball values and thermometers already but I could just get new weldless fittings if need be. If the thermometer location is fine on most 10 gal pots then has anyone have experience with this kettle : https://www.homebrewing.org/10-Gallon-2-Weld-Volume-Marked-Brew-Pot_p_6827.html
This is the price point I would love but the comment about rust and just the looks of the welds gives me concerns. I would rather pay more once then buy something that wont hold up and have to replace.
Then my other option I was thinking was going with Spike brewing kettles either the vertical config like this one https://spikebrewing.com/collection...s/10-gallon-brew-kettle-2-horizontal-couplers or the normal horizontal config. Though with the vertical config it says it at the 1 gallon mark which seams low and would show bad temps given how close to the burners?
or maybe this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DY66RSL/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
Any other recommendations on a kettle or suggestions? I would like it to have the volume markings and welded is preferred. But Im not completely against weldless and can drill my own hole and put the thermometer maybe at around the 2 gallon mark?
2. Plan to get a grain mill so I can fine grind. Was thinking The Barley Crusher $119 at amazon?
3. False bottom for kettle to keep bag off the bottom?
For my 2.5 gallon batches I will ferment in 5 gallon kegs for primary and then transfer from there to 2.5 gallon keg.
I do have a older mach pump that I might add in at some point if I want to try to recirculate or anything like that but I could add that later. I have burners, chillers, and can setup a pulley for the grain bag.
Space is of little concern, I have as much space as needed but really want to limit the things I need to clean.
The kettle suggestion is really my main concern but also just wanted and tips or advice about something I might want that I could be forgetting.
I am ditching most of my old setup for various reasons and want to do the BIAB method and primarily do 2.5 gallon batches but want to have the option to do 5 gallon batches from time to time.
So just trying to gather a parts list and make sure I am not missing anything.
My budget isnt great so I am trying to get the best I can without going crazy but I would rather buy good once and not have to replace crap that doesnt hold up. Dont need high end but dont want bottom of the barrel either.
#1. I need a new brew kettle. I plan on a 10 gallon one. One concern is if I get a 10 gallon is the location of the thermometer. In a 10 gallon pot they look to put them in about the same place which from what I can tell almost looks to be near the 4 gallon mark (just a guess looking at pictures), which I would think would be to high for 2.5 gallon batches? I have threaded 3 way ball values and thermometers already but I could just get new weldless fittings if need be. If the thermometer location is fine on most 10 gal pots then has anyone have experience with this kettle : https://www.homebrewing.org/10-Gallon-2-Weld-Volume-Marked-Brew-Pot_p_6827.html
This is the price point I would love but the comment about rust and just the looks of the welds gives me concerns. I would rather pay more once then buy something that wont hold up and have to replace.
Then my other option I was thinking was going with Spike brewing kettles either the vertical config like this one https://spikebrewing.com/collection...s/10-gallon-brew-kettle-2-horizontal-couplers or the normal horizontal config. Though with the vertical config it says it at the 1 gallon mark which seams low and would show bad temps given how close to the burners?
or maybe this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DY66RSL/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
Any other recommendations on a kettle or suggestions? I would like it to have the volume markings and welded is preferred. But Im not completely against weldless and can drill my own hole and put the thermometer maybe at around the 2 gallon mark?
2. Plan to get a grain mill so I can fine grind. Was thinking The Barley Crusher $119 at amazon?
3. False bottom for kettle to keep bag off the bottom?
For my 2.5 gallon batches I will ferment in 5 gallon kegs for primary and then transfer from there to 2.5 gallon keg.
I do have a older mach pump that I might add in at some point if I want to try to recirculate or anything like that but I could add that later. I have burners, chillers, and can setup a pulley for the grain bag.
Space is of little concern, I have as much space as needed but really want to limit the things I need to clean.
The kettle suggestion is really my main concern but also just wanted and tips or advice about something I might want that I could be forgetting.
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