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Is it ok that I don't really feel like going all grain?

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I have no doubt you've been able to realize those kind of savings, but my guess is two factors are buying bulk hops from some place like Hopsdirect.com and washing yeast. Neither one of those has anything to do with all grain.

No, but buying grain for $.60/lb vs $4/lb for DME does.
 
No, but buying grain for $.60/lb vs $4/lb for DME does.

Extract's definitely more expensive, but not by _that_ much. DME's more like $2.50/lb if you buy in bulk.

Also, given that it's only .6 lbs of DME to reach the extract potential of 1 lb of grain, that works out to about $1.50 for the same extract potential as the $.60 lb of grain.
 
I was on the fence about whether to start thinking about going to AG...
and I saw a mash tun and bazooka on Craigslist for $20, but the guy already sold it. :mad:
 
I work all week, and I play in a band on the weekends. Extract is as far as I plan on going, and I like the results. I just don't think I have time for AG.
 
I can't believe no-one has brought up fermentation control or buying bulk extract...

The two upgrades I would recomend for you are:

1. Get a controlled temperature fermentation figured out.
2. Ensure you are pitching a proper amount of good healthy yeast into a good wort environment.
3. Buy DME in bulk (purchase some air-tight containers from US Plastics) and save a crap load of mulah.
4. Buy bulk hops from hopsdirect or other source.
5. Start taking meticulous notes. I recommend braukaiser.com logbook.
6. Understand the limitations of extract and learn to formulate or use recipes that utilize the advantages of extract while avoiding the (relatively few) limitations.
7. Assess your beer. Are you happy with it? If not and your realize that the thing you would change about the beer can only be accomplished by cutting out the extract, then consider going AG.

That is the progression I would recommend. I love AG brewing for everything it offers. Tons of science and nerdery. I rarely brew with a single infusion mash schedule and am always tinkering to try and manipulate aspects of my wort. If that isn't something you are into, whats the rush?

I still brew extract+grain batches. I normally do them while I am brewing an AG batch. I can do extract in my sleep and the beers turn out fine. I use extract for super simple stuff like my American mild. The other factors have a larger affect (in general) for new homebrewers that the source of the wort sugars.

Above all, do what you want, this isn't your job. Have fun :mug:
 
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