Looking for a good AG kit.

[EricS]

I have finally decied to take the leap and move to All Grain brewing. I am looking for the easiest way to get started. does anyone have any information on any AG kits. I have done some searching and so far have only found this one.
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/ProdByID.aspx?ProdID=5420
I want a quality kit that will bring me years of use. What are your thoughts, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Gamehenge

 

[rdwj]

My thought is that you should build your own - it's pretty easy. If you want to buy something Midwest and Northern have options. Ebay has some too.

 

[RedSun]

AHS, austin homebrew supply, then do Extract/PM/AG for almost all their brews of which there are over 100. Lotta options too.

For the supplies, cobble them together yourself, lot cheaper and a lot more fun. Look in my sig for a saucy mash tun build.

RS

 

[Lil' Sparky]

I agree with rdwj, you could DIY any number of ways and spend WAY less than that. Those SS pots are spensive!! I have only a little more invested in everything you see in this pic!

Of course, you said easy and that doesn't always translate into cheap. Here's another place where you could get a pre-built MLT for way cheaper. http://www.brewd00d.com/

 

[abracadabra]

I think that a converted 10 gal. Igloo cooler is a better Mash Tun especially for someone just starting out w/AG. Not to mention cheaper especially if you DIY. And there no reason it won't last for years.

As for a sparge arm you can use a large piece of heavy duty aluminum foil with holes pierced in it that works just as well.

Personally I'd rather have a converted keg (15 Gal.) for my boil pot.

You'll need a wort chiller too assuming you don't have one.

But there is nothing wrong with the kit you posted.

If you're looking for everything you need watch this and other brew forums for people getting out of the hobby. Craig's list is good and I found some good stuff on ebay too.

If looks are a priority get Stainless Steel, if not everyone who has one seems satisfied with aluminum.

One last bit of advise is get the biggest Mash tun & Kettle you can afford. A lot of people start out w/ 5 Gal then want to go to 10 Gal. Even if you never do a 10 Gal. you might want to make a big beer that requires you to make 8 gal of wort and boil it down to 5 Gal.

 

[EricS]

Thanks for all the info. I think I am going to go with the majority here and just try to build my own setup.

 

[CBBaron]

The Quick, Cheap and Easy setup is:
5 or 10 gal Rubbermaid cooler (Home Depot or department store)
Kewler Kit bulkhead and ball valve with nipples (HBS)
SS braid cut from toilet supply line (hardware store)
couple hose clamps to put it together
7.5 gal (30 qt) turkey fryer (good time of year to buy these from a variety of places)

And thats pretty much all you need for AG. I recommend getting the 10 gal cooler instead of the 5 gal but the 5 gal works and is what I have been using.

Craig Baker

 

[avidhomebrewer]

CBBaron is on the right on the money. Go with the 10 gallon if you can find one; be able to get more grain in it. If you diy, you will be able to find almost everything for under the price in the link you provided. I have two of the mash tuns (5 and 10 gallon), each cost about $40 total, then I got a 10 gal pot for $40, another 10 gal SS pot for free and the burner (dual) for $75. Scrounge and you will find. Go to Fleet Farm, Farm and Fleet or its equivalent (they carry just about everything, farming, automotive, etc). I found 2 5 gallon SS pots for $20 there. Check out garage sales, estate sales, etc. Good deals are out there, just gotta look.

Good luck!

 

[Rich the Brewer]

I went alll grain a couple months ago. Brewd00d built a 44 quart setup with the sparge tank for $150 delivered. It wasn't that much of a premium over buying the coolers and parts myself.

http://brewd00d.infinites.net/

I've made a couple ten gallon batches with it and it works well.