future upgrades

[patsbrewhouseCO]

hi fellow homebrewers, i am a fairly new brewer and especially to all grain brewing and i have recently purchased a larger kettle and propane burner, and have made a cooler mash tun as well and was wondering what piece of equipment i should get next? my current set up for fermentation is 2 6.5 gal buckets and one 5 gal glass carboy. i want to get more into the chemistry side of things on a basic level like get more accurate SG readings, and some basic water chemistry to help myself produce better beers. so what do you think i should get?

Primary- sweet orange saison
secondary- Agave Nectar Pale Ale

 

[eluterio]

Pump, Counter Flow or plate chiller, would be my next upgrades. Just recently got a pump and it makes a huge difference!

 

[bazowie]

Standard SS or Copper coil chiller if you don't want to spend a ton.
Pump and plate chiller if you have some dollars on hand.
Cheers

 

[JEnglish]

If you want to get better SG readings you should invest in a refractometer. Before you get a counterflow/pump/plate chiller I recommend you invest in some sort of fermentation temp control or a kegging system. Controlling fermentation temps will allow you to brew more consistent batches.

 

[kh54s10]

Wort chiller of some kind and fermentation temperature control, then water chemistry.

I have a three tier brew stand with a propane HLT on top, tun in the middle and propane BK on the bottom. I do not think I will buy a pump unless I go inside with an electric setup.

 

[eluterio]

Agree with ^^^

I assumed you had fermentation control already. This is where you should invest the most! Freezer converted in the a fermentation vessel works great!! Temp control for the freezer is the other great things. Also, for just a few more buck stir plate (Homebrewstuff.com) sells them for 40 bucks and at minimal a 2000l erlenmeyer flask.

All this will help you make excellent beer!

 

[bazowie]

All I can say is be mindful of where you really want to take the hobby, one day its a wort chiller the next day you end up with this.

And then sometimes you wish you could go back to 10G batches.

Enjoy either way

 

[eluterio]

buddy you drink a lot of beer! lol

 

[fmr_army]

Wort chiller - I use a homemade CFC with a harbor freight pump to recirculate ice water out of a bucket
Keg system - so much more awesome to sanitize and rack into a single vessel than into a million bottles. Plus with force carb you don't need to wait as long to drink the fruits of your yeast's labors.
Keezer - goes with keg system
Yeast propagation - I built a plate stirrer and bought a 2l erlenmeyer with stir bar. Fantastic investment - and a money saver since I can use store bought yeast to start my starters, thus getting 5-8 batches out of each vial.
Pump - I just recently got one. While I haven't realized the full potential of it, I think it will make life a lot easier on brew day.

I have a nice cool basement that stays right at 65º all year round and stick to ales, so I don't have any experience with a fermentation chamber.

 

[khawk95]

Fermentation chamber and temp controller. You can DIY the wort chiller for cheap. Pumps are nice but not essential.
Once you have ferment control, you have opened the door for variety and great beer. Yeast starters are also important. We make wort. Yeast makes beer. Take care of the yeast.


Roed Haus Brewery

 

[Cyclman]

Chiller, temp control, yeast propagation (stirplate, O2 injector). Watch homebrewfinds for deals on refractometers, can get one for $25.

 

[bazowie]

I noticed on here that a couple of people have said Refractometer, I have one and use it only as a check to my ("fine graduated hydrometer). the Refractometer is in my opinion not worth it since you can only use for OG and need a hydrometer anyway. So that would be last on my list if I had to do it over.

 

[Falcon3]

In order of importance:

1. Wort Chiller- go to Lowes- get 20 feet of 3/8 copper (yes it's small, but I guaratantee you it will chill your wort to almost pitching temps in 15 mins)- the DIY part is super easy- then you just get about $4 worth of 3/8 ID hose and a garden hose attachment for $2 and you're in business- DO NOT keep messing around with ice baths- sitting your wort in the shower, etc

2. Craigslist mini fridge for a ferm chamber (or chest freezer or full size fridge) ON THE CHEAP- look around you can usually find these for $0 to $50- don't rush- I just picked up a free 5 cubic foot chest freezer for FREE because somebody wanted to get rid of it-

3. STC-1000 temp controller http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00862G3TQ/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20,

I know it's sexy to get into chemistry and all that "sciency" stuff, but all the super-detailed hydrometers, refractormeters, PH Meters, etc.... won't get you great beer unless you have the three things above- you could potentially get all 3 of these items for under $75 and IMMEDIATELY make much better beer

 

[bazowie]

In order of importance:

1. Wort Chiller- go to Lowes- get 20 feet of 3/8 copper (yes it's small, but I guaratantee you it will chill your wort to almost pitching temps in 15 mins)- the DIY part is super easy- then you just get about $4 worth of 3/8 ID hose and a garden hose attachment for $2 and you're in business- DO NOT keep messing around with ice baths- sitting your wort in the shower, etc

2. Craigslist mini fridge for a ferm chamber (or chest freezer or full size fridge) ON THE CHEAP- look around you can usually find these for $0 to $50- don't rush- I just picked up a free 5 cubic foot chest freezer for FREE because somebody wanted to get rid of it-

3. STC-1000 temp controller http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00862G3TQ/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20,

I know it's sexy to get into chemistry and all that "sciency" stuff, but all the super-detailed hydrometers, refractormeters, PH Meters, etc.... won't get you great beer unless you have the three things above- you could potentially get all 3 of these items for under $75 and IMMEDIATELY make much better beer

But if you don't have a hydrometer at the least you wont have any idea of OG or FG and in turn wont know ABV, I think that might be important.

 

[popquizkid]

I noticed on here that a couple of people have said Refractometer, I have one and use it only as a check to my ("fine graduated hydrometer). the Refractometer is in my opinion not worth it since you can only use for OG and need a hydrometer anyway. So that would be last on my list if I had to do it over.

Can't you use the refractometer for FG reading if you have the OG and a calculator?

I love being able to pull a small sample from the boil kettle, quickly cool it and get a reading. If I am way under on SG easy to quickly correct with DME.

 

[bazowie]

Can't you use the refractometer for FG reading if you have the OG and a calculator?

I love being able to pull a small sample from the boil kettle, quickly cool it and get a reading. If I am way under on SG easy to quickly correct with DME.

Yes you are correct (I think), but I don't trust it for FG when doing it that way.
And I to like the versatility of being able to use a small amount and correct on the fly, just not for FG and I trust my Hydrometers for accuracy more than a Refractometer

 

[Falcon3]

....get more accurate SG readings,....

Sounded like OP already has a basic hydrometer- most beginner kits come with them- and they're only like $8 at the HBS, so this was a given....