Is this overkill?

[stever1000]

I'm planning on upgrading to a single vessel, all electric-BIAB to brew all grain in my apartment. I have a 16gallon kettle with a 5500W element. I plan to slowly acquire more parts to also have a RIMS system to maintain mash temps.

I really like the idea of the BCS-460, and the ability to control it from a computer (my living room is 10ft from my kitchen where I will be brewing), and also to be able to start heating the water for the mash before I get home (i.e. set it up at work, commute home, then add the grain). I've read many threads of the pros/cons of BCS vs PID.
In the future I hope to own a house with a garage or basement, and intend to upgrade to a 2-3 vessel system with all the bells and whistles. But for the time being, I am stuck in a rental apartment, brewing in the kitchen.

My question is.... is the BCS-460 overkill for electric-BIAB? To me, it makes sense to start with it now, knowing that in the future I have room to expand.
What are your thoughts?

I have a fermentation chamber and kegerator in my apartment too, and I definitely will upgrade to the traditional 2-3 vessel all grain system in the future once I move out of the apartment.

 

[BrunDog]

Nah! Also provides a great upgrade path!

-BD

 

[Yooper]

The correct answer is "There is no such thing as overkill!".

Of course, it is. A bit. But if you really do plan to upgrade, it's the only way to go. If you don't, then yes, it's really overkill.

 

[TexasWine]

I have a 16gallon kettle with a 5500W element. I plan to slowly acquire more parts to also have a RIMS system to maintain mash temps.

Just curious, why would you add a RIMS to a system like this? Just add a pump and use the element in the kettle to hold mash temps. Sure would save a lot of money.

 

[stever1000]

I read several other threads and other people are doing Ebiab with RIMS too. From my understanding it would provide more consistent temperatures since its heating outside of the kettle instead of from the bottom?

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

I think bcs is overkill unless you plan to use it to also control fermentation. You could build a strangebrew elsinore single element control panel for basically the same price as the bcs control unit by itself. It gives you similar functionality to a bcs for much cheaper.

It used to be the only option in town with brewtroller dead. Now you have brewtroller, bcs, strangebrew elsinore, and I think even brewpi spark is working or damn near it for mash control.

 

[JWBC]

If you are going to expand to a 2 or 3 vessel system go for bcs, but if you don't ever get the chance then at least you will have a good fermentation chamber control. Or you could always do sous vide with the kettle and have fermentation control

 

[stever1000]

I think bcs is overkill unless you plan to use it to also control fermentation. You could build a strangebrew elsinore single element control panel for basically the same price as the bcs control unit by itself. It gives you similar functionality to a bcs for much cheaper.

It used to be the only option in town with brewtroller dead. Now you have brewtroller, bcs, strangebrew elsinore, and I think even brewpi spark is working or damn near it for mash control.

Thanks for the info. Most of the threads I have read and researched are 3-4 years old, so I guess that explains why I was leaning towards BCS.

I will look at those other new options and see what they are like.

I already have 2 STC-1000's for fermentation and kegerator, but I could always get rid of them to use the BCS.