extract vs partial mash costs

[taintedplay]

so during those two weeks what temp do i want the water in the tub that the carboy is sitting in at? so i can keep adding frozen water bottles to make that temp

and the kit im ordering has hoses, should i buy longer hoses or just use the ones it has

 

[Yooper]

so during those two weeks what temp do i want the water in the tub that the carboy is sitting in at? so i can keep adding frozen water bottles to make that temp

and the kit im ordering has hoses, should i buy longer hoses or just use the ones it has

In a water bath, fill the tub up to the level of beer, and then you can add frozen water bottles (as needed). You want about 67-68 degrees in the water (and so the beer) for the temperature.

I would order longer lines right at the beginning, to save lots of headaches later on.

 

[taintedplay]

so ten foot lines, check

another random question. i know now (didnt know for my previous brews) that cleaning isnt the same as sanatizing. So i need to find a cleaner and clean EVERYTHING? including racking canes and hydrometer and everything? and then startsan it?

 

[Yooper]

so ten foot lines, check

another random question. i know now (didnt know for my previous brews) that cleaning isnt the same as sanatizing. So i need to find a cleaner and clean EVERYTHING? including racking canes and hydrometer and everything? and then startsan it?

Yes. Cleaning is just that- cleaning. If any item has debris, dust, whatever, you must clean it well. Then rinse well. Then you can sanitize it.

For most cleaning, a rinse in hot water will do. But you should always wash anything that is visibly dirty and your fermenter, and rinse well with hot water (not hot water for carboys- just warm).

 

[taintedplay]

so i dont need to use a good cleaner just hot water? (boiling im assuming)

what about stained buckets and stuff like that?

 

[Yooper]

so i dont need to use a good cleaner just hot water? (boiling im assuming)

what about stained buckets and stuff like that?

You need a good cleaner for anything that is dirty- oxyclean is a great one. Staining isn't an issue, as long as the item is clean. I use a sanitizer, Iodophor, occasionally that itself stains plastic. It's fine, as long as the item is clean.

 

[taintedplay]

ok perfect. also do i have to keep the co2 tank in the mini fridge? it would be easier for me to have it attached to the back of the minifridge on the outside

also would putting a hydrometer in boiling water break it? knowing carboys break got me thinking

 

[Yooper]

ok perfect. also do i have to keep the co2 tank in the mini fridge? it would be easier for me to have it attached to the back of the minifridge on the outside

also would putting a hydrometer in boiling water break it? knowing carboys break got me thinking

You can keep the co2 tank outside if that's convenient. Boiling water probably would break a hydrometer- or at least make it more fragile!

 

[helibrewer]

5 Star makes 2 products also; PBW (Powdered Brewery Wash) for cleaning and StarSan, no rinse sanitizer.

 

[taintedplay]

so just to sum all this up, 14 days in the primary, then rack it to the keg which i will force carb with a pressure based on temp. Once in my kegerator, make sure my hoses from keg to tap are 10 ft long.

 

[taintedplay]

oh and just to make sure im about on right track, for a basic beer, how much money per 5gal batch is about right for a full extract, a partial mash, and a full grain. trying to find out cost per beer roughly

 

[weirdboy]

I want to say I used to spend about $30-$40 for the extract batches I made, but to be fair it was a long time ago. I have done partial mashes, but the price can vary and I bought a bunch of bulk DME for cheap when I was doing that more, so my price is probably lower than what other people pay.

For a basic APA my cost for all-grain is somewhere around $10-$12, but I buy my base malt and hops in bulk.

 

[taintedplay]

what extra tools are required for all grain? im pretty handy, so hopefully i could make them, since money is my main concern i cant afford 30-40 a batch, i could only homebrew if it was 10-15 a batch.

 

[chickypad]

check these

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/easy-stovetop-all-grain-brewing-pics-90132/

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/all-grain-brewing-extract-brewing-equipment-pics-142648/

 

[Conman2U]

cream of 3 crops was my first ever brew and I used the BIAB shown in the previous post. Really simple and I think all total I spent about 24 bucks to brew 10 gallons (2 five gallon batches)

 

[Cacaman]

Going all-grain is the cheapest/funnest route in the long run IMHO. I too am a college kid, and can empathize with your budget. Personally though, I see homebrewing as a hobby and joy, not just a cheaper way to get me and my friends drunk. Ultimately, if you want the CHEAPEST route, go buy yourself 18 packs of keystone, miller, natty etc.

If you genuinely want to get into the hobby of homebrewing for the fun of it, do what I did, and slowly start buying bits and pieces to get a cheap all-grain system together. I searched craigslist found a sanke to brew in for $20, and was able to get my hands on a 10 gallon igloo to mash in. My parents were nice enough to give me their old turkey burner as well. I also built myself a cheap keezer as seen on my sig. No shame in doing on the cheap!

Clearly, in order to save up for my system, I had to compromise and miss out on the spring break trip to the beach, or the summer trip to Cancun, but I don't regret it one bit.

Now, if you really want to get good at the hobby, use that search bar up top, check out some brewing books (i.e. How to brew: How to Brew - By John Palmer), or ask the folks here on HBT and they will be happy to answer and questions or doubt you have.

 

[d3EP]

I have done three batches, all extract. I am in college and drink probably 60 beers a week, so cost is a main concern for me. Between extract and partial mash, which is cheaper (if either)?

thanks in advance

buy a 50 pound bag of two-row (45 dollars) and pound of cheap but tasty hops, like cascade (16 dollars)

if you buy stuff in quantity its always cheaper i think thats why all grain tends to be cheaper, try and find a dealer who does bulk extract (who gives breaks on prices), i dunno if they are as common

 

[jmprdood]

60 beers a week?! Dude, either you need to have your buddies chip in or pace yourself a little bit:cross:

 

[jonmohno]

All in all and not being technical,my beers cost me roughly < $1 per bottle. As far as ingredience.