I got $3K help me decide PLEASE!

[akthor]

Soooo tired of the 1yr plus I've been buying bits and pieces as I can afford them to build my 1bbl BIAB system, sick and tired of not drinking my own beer.

Of course the two pieces of the puzzle I have left to buy are the most expensive. The control panel and fermenter(s)

So I scrimped and saved and sold and called in markers and I've got $3000.

But I am having a hard time deciding what to do.

I upsized from my 10 gal single tier system for many reasons but I have kept an eye towards the system being useful in the future as a nano or pilot brewery just in case. So keeping everything stainless. Plastic fermenters would make these decisions infinitely easier.

First my thoughts but I am open to any other ideas.

Finding stainless 1bbl fermenters is difficult in that they are not cheap. There are only so many options in manufacturers who even offer them.

Since my setup uses two 5500w elements that means I need a 50amp control panel that can run two 5500w elements at the same time. Once again not many options out there. At least ones that leave any $$$ left over for a fermenter. Honestly I only really consider the Hosehead http://brewtronix.com and the 50 amp one from Ebrew http://www.ebrewsupply.com/50a-bcs-control-panel-2-elements/

So one is $500 and one is $1600. Basically I think my choices are the Hosehead and then I have money for 2 fermenters. Or the Ebrew and 1 fermenter.

Fermenter wise as far as temp control control goes, I can go with the internal cooling solution such as in SS Brewtech ones or I can build a walk I cooler in my brewing area. So here are the combos I'm considering. I am open to others though.

Bubba's Barrels offers not only a 1bbl fermenter but for $100 more a 2bbl one.

http://www.bubbasbarrels.com/catalog/beer-and-brewing-equipment/conical-fermenters

So I'm thinking I could get two 2bbl ones and a Hosehead or one and the Ebrew control panel.

Now SS Brewtech offers a really sweet 1bbl fermenter but its a little more $$$ but it's also got a lot more bells and whistles and appears to be of higher quality.

http://www.ssbrewtech.com/collections/fermenters/products/chronical-one-barrel-fermenter

So same deal as with Bubba's I could get one SS Brewtech one and the Ebrew or if I went with 2 I'd have to wait a couple weeks save a little more and then get a Hosehead.

It's kinda the same deal with Stout Tanks, Bru Gear's

I guess what it comes down to is more capacity and the ability to brew more with two fermenters and the Hosehead OR a very professional control solution in the Ebrew panel but only having 1 fermenter.

Then kinda the same deal in the fermenters. Go with more capacity and choices with the Bubba's 2bbl fermenters or choose the Cadillac of fermenters with the SS Brewtech fermenters.

Arrrrrgh so hard to decide

Help!

 

[madscientist451]

If you aren't opening a NANO brewery right now, I'd skip the 1 BBL system and focus your attention on process and recipes. What are you going to do with 30+ gallons of beer at one time?

 

[akthor]

Listen I had a 10 gallon all grain brewery I couldn't brew fast enough to keep up with the demand. AND I have already sold that system. I have the 45 gallon pot, SS mesh basket, March Nano Brewery pump, overhead electric hoist, 8 - 1/2bbl sanke kegs, keg washer, giant milk cooler that holds 6 - 1/2 barrels and much more. Going back from a 1bbl system is not an option. I've been brewing for over 10 years my recipes are solid and I will refine my processes with the new system once I'm up and running.

What do I do with 30 gallons of beer? Well if you have friends who like beer 30 gallons don't last long

 

[augiedoggy]

Soooo tired of the 1yr plus I've been buying bits and pieces as I can afford them to build my 1bbl BIAB system, sick and tired of not drinking my own beer.

Of course the two pieces of the puzzle I have left to buy are the most expensive. The control panel and fermenter(s)

So I scrimped and saved and sold and called in markers and I've got $3000.

But I am having a hard time deciding what to do.

I upsized from my 10 gal single tier system for many reasons but I have kept an eye towards the system being useful in the future as a nano or pilot brewery just in case. So keeping everything stainless. Plastic fermenters would make these decisions infinitely easier.

First my thoughts but I am open to any other ideas.

Finding stainless 1bbl fermenters is difficult in that they are not cheap. There are only so many options in manufacturers who even offer them.

Since my setup uses two 5500w elements that means I need a 50amp control panel that can run two 5500w elements at the same time. Once again not many options out there. At least ones that leave any $$$ left over for a fermenter. Honestly I only really consider the Hosehead http://brewtronix.com and the 50 amp one from Ebrew http://www.ebrewsupply.com/50a-bcs-control-panel-2-elements/

So one is $500 and one is $1600. Basically I think my choices are the Hosehead and then I have money for 2 fermenters. Or the Ebrew and 1 fermenter.

Fermenter wise as far as temp control control goes, I can go with the internal cooling solution such as in SS Brewtech ones or I can build a walk I cooler in my brewing area. So here are the combos I'm considering. I am open to others though.

Bubba's Barrels offers not only a 1bbl fermenter but for $100 more a 2bbl one.

http://www.bubbasbarrels.com/catalog/beer-and-brewing-equipment/conical-fermenters

So I'm thinking I could get two 2bbl ones and a Hosehead or one and the Ebrew control panel.

Now SS Brewtech offers a really sweet 1bbl fermenter but its a little more $$$ but it's also got a lot more bells and whistles and appears to be of higher quality.

http://www.ssbrewtech.com/collections/fermenters/products/chronical-one-barrel-fermenter

So same deal as with Bubba's I could get one SS Brewtech one and the Ebrew or if I went with 2 I'd have to wait a couple weeks save a little more and then get a Hosehead.

It's kinda the same deal with Stout Tanks, Bru Gear's

I guess what it comes down to is more capacity and the ability to brew more with two fermenters and the Hosehead OR a very professional control solution in the Ebrew panel but only having 1 fermenter.

Then kinda the same deal in the fermenters. Go with more capacity and choices with the Bubba's 2bbl fermenters or choose the Cadillac of fermenters with the SS Brewtech fermenters.

Arrrrrgh so hard to decide

Help!

Are you against any of the much cheaper options such as DIY like a chiller made from an AC unit for $150 and wrapping your conicals with $10 worth of blue discharge hose to cool them? (This makes them easier to clean than internal coils in the fermenter too)

Control panels can be complicated to build so I respect your decision to purchase something vs build but I am just pointing out that my whole brewery including my 4 conicals and heating/cooling system for them cost me less than 3 grand so it CAN be done although im not sure if it can be done on a 1 bbl scale with all stainless including the conical fermenter. Bubbas barrels is the most economical choice that I could find myself in that size so far... I know a brewery who uses them and they say they can be a pain especially if they arent reassembled just right after cleaning since they dont start leaking till they are almost full and you have to drain them to realign the seal between the barrel and conical bottom.

I just bought 7bbl capable kettles and im kinda in the same boat as my business partner and I are looking for the right location and making sure we wont run into snags with codes and zoning as its going to be an electric setup as well.

BTW I wasnt aware hosehead had a system that even met code for 10 gallons let alone a barrel?

 

[lewandowski46]

Stout tanks as well. http://conical-fermenter.com/80-Gallon-Conical-Fermenter.html

 

[TallDan]

So, you're spending $3k on beer for your friends? What are they bringing to this party?

 

[akthor]

OMG thank thank thank you for the info on the Bubba's barrels Conicals. I had some real concerns about that exact thing.

Really I am pretty much not considering Bubba's anymore not just the leak questions but they as well as Stout Tanks have not responded to multiple emails requesting shipping quotes. They both say you will be billed for freight shipping separately after you order. Well obviously I need to know beforehand to be able to make a decision. Here I am ready to drop a couple grand + with them and they can't be bothered to email me back??? So I am pretty much writing them off. The SS Brewtech conicals are looking better and better.

I have considered DIY fermenters. I was thinking of getting 45 gallon SS brewpots and converting those into fermenters. Same deal with 55 gallon barrels. But I am keeping everything tri clamp and welded with no threads. So my issue in DIY is that I can't find a welder that can do SS sanitary welds. Also including stands and everything while there would be savings I think I would approach the SS Conicals prices. But I am still bouncing ideas around in my head and Googleing so DIY for the fermenters is not out of the realm of possibility. Yet.

For cooling I have a glycol soda chiller I can use if my solution has coils inside or out ( I also have a Stout tanks HERMs coil I picked up ) but I can also build a walk in cooler if I need to. I may build one ( or find one on CL ) to use for keg carbing and conditioning anyways. But my brewing area will be separate from my bar area til perhaps next year since we need to trench across the road and install upgraded electrical (only 30amp service there right now) and plumbing into the garage I am converting into my brew house. So the glycol solution may be necessary in the short term.

Yeah and as far as DIY a control panel I feel I don't have the ability to build a 50amp one. I don't think I can even put together one of the kits. Wiring is not a skill I possess. My father in law was an electrician but he is 81. While I trust him to help me wire the building I've seen how he messed up his boats wiring so I'm not trusting him with $1K plus control panel kit.

As far as the Hosehead I have no idea on the code issues but even if it's not it is cheap enough that I could resell it and upgrade to a professional panel if I go to the next level down the road.

As far as what my friends give me for beer? Well just their friendship is payment enough. I do keep a donation jar that they throw some bucks in that helps buy ingredients.

 

[akthor]

Well decision made UNLESS Stout Tanks blows me away and actually answers my emails with a cheap shipping quote.

I'm going to go with 2 - SS Brewtech 1bbl fermenters and the Hosehead.

My thought is I can brew more with 2 fermenters and refine my techniques on my new 1bbl system using the Hosehead to get me up and running. If I want to upgrade to a more commercial panel down the road I can save up for it. As it is I will have to order the fermenters then wait a couple weeks for enough scratch to get the Hosehead.

 

[augiedoggy]

my understanding was (unless they changed this) the wiring in the hosehead wasnt rated for enough amps for multiple elements. If you are concerned with not having a fire its something you may want to check..

 

[Leadpencil]

my understanding was (unless they changed this) the wiring in the hosehead wasnt rated for enough amps for multiple elements. If you are concerned with not having a fire its something you may want to check..

They make a 1bbl system now. It needs 100 amp service just for that.
I wouldn't trust my brewery to a guy that cant wire a boat.

 

[akthor]

Yeah he still wired whole apartment complexes up till he was like 77. He just doesn't understand DC for some weird reason at 81 lol.

Yes the Hosehead is more than capable been discussed in other threads.

My conundrum is Stout did get back to me and now I'm having trouble deciding again....

For a little bit over my $3K budget I could have 2 stout 80 gallon Conicals.

 

[akthor]

Decision made SS sweetened the deal and thru in free casters for each Conical and a CIP spray ball. Can't wait to see those giant boxes arrive!

 

[beernutz]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=306517
Another epic thread in the making?

 

[akthor]

Could be but I've learned. I wouldn't post about it til its done

Fermenters arrive Friday.

 

[Leadpencil]

Could be but I've learned. I wouldn't post about it til its done

Fermenters arrive Friday.

pictures?

 

[akthor]

Bling!

 

[Leadpencil]

damn those look nice

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Simple...Go on a European Cruise for $2500 that hits many countries,sample every beer from every country and brew it on a $500 EBIAB system

 

[iijakii]

Bling!

Kind of odd being so low, guess you have no choice but to dump onto the ground and spray it off afterwards. Also do those still have that weldless thermometer?

Definitely bling though, nice.

 

[grrickar]

Well if you have friends who like beer 30 gallons don't last long

Get less thirsty friends

I hope they are helping brew or at least kicking money in for ingredients. If not, no wonder your place is so popular. What is your street address again?

 

[akthor]

I have no interest in leaving the US anymore. I hate flying I actually drove from MN back hone to Maine to visit last April.

They have a weldless thermowell and sampling valve. If they were taller they'd be a real PITA to clean and top heavy. I think they struck a good balance. Even full with the casters they can be moved easily without tipping over.

I keep a donation jar out and folks toss money in which goes towards buying ingredients.

 

[Jimbodaman]

Somewhat off topic but would it be ridiculous to ferment in a 180qt SS brewpot? I don't see it being too difficult to get the lid to clamp down and be airtight. Drill a hole for an airlock, add a drain port/valves, and make some sort of sturdy stand to move it around. Theoretically it should work but how about in practice?

This is definitely a much cheaper SS option. http://www.wayfair.com/Concord-Stock-Pot-with-Lid-COWC1098-L781-K~COWC1098.html?refid=GX111172164506-COWC1098_14761267&device=c&ptid=165024995550&PiID%5B%5D=14761267&gclid=CM-LstPz_c4CFY-EaQodaoEFUQ

 

[akthor]

You know I did plan on doing JUST that! That was my original plan I even have a tri clamp HERMS cool from a Stout kettle I planned on installing into the pot to provide cooling.

True it would have been a much cheaper option. If I could have found a welder locally that could have done sanitary welds I probably would have gone that route a while back. But I couldn't.

Yes I spent a lot more on these BUT on the plus side and this is 100% true. When I post pics of my brew setup in a few weeks you'll see.

So my brew room/bar will be in our detached garage. But first we need to upgrade the electrical service to it from 30amp to 100 or better. And we need water and sewer going to it. Its gonna be spendy since the garage is accross the road from our house and our house is about 30 yards from the road. So in the meantime I was going to build a temp area in our low ceilinged dank and dungeony basement.

I had just unboxed and assembled one of the fermenters when my wife came home. She was so impressed with how good they looked she said that they couldn't go in the basement and that I had to make the temporary brewing area upstairs in the living room.

So really without having to build a room in the basement in the end these cost about the same moneywise as the cheaper fermenter option and the cost of building the room. BUT save me a ton of time and work not having to build it. AND upstairs is a much more pleasant area to brew in.