My setup

[argodzilla]

Hi Everyone,

I fell in love with an IPA/APA and decided to give homebrew a try. I read before I bought, but not enough. I have limits to how much more I can spent without drawing my gals attention. I have a 15 gallon Blichmann Boilermaker. I have a Blichmann top tier burner. I was going to buy a mach8 pump(sp), a hop blocker and a therminator. Now, I have become confused as to what I need to get myself started the right way. Do I need a Mash Tun..and hot liquid container? I really don't think I should spend a lot more before I figure out if I enjoy this. Any tips to get me back on track? I have everything I need to ferment and bottle....

Thanks!
Matt

 

[bd2xu]

Wow you are starting huge! Most folks start with just a five gallon pot and a beer kit but you are well on your way. I would start by doing some five gallon extract batches to get a feel for it. When you make good beer you'll want to step it up and then either a partial mash or boil in a bag, both of which you could do with what you have, or go straight to all grain. One very good investment is a chiller of some sort and then l start thinking about how to manage temp in your fermenting, that is key. I'm assuming you have buckets or carboys to ferment in? At least one carboy for doing secondary fermenting esp for dry hopping. Then before long you'll want to start kegging...

If you decide you don't like brewing once you get into it I will buy that brew kettle and burner...😄

 

[argodzilla]

Thanks for the info, you helped me relax a bit. Brewed an extract IPA. I enjoyed it. Thank again!

 

[Channel66]

you can buy a 15g boiler maker, and blichman burner without attracting swmbo's attention? I'm jealous. I guess because mine brews too I can't get away with that sort of purchase without explaining why it's better than my keggle.

 

[aschupner]

you can buy a 15g boiler maker, and blichman burner without attracting swmbo's attention? I'm jealous. I guess because mine brews too I can't get away with that sort of purchase without explaining why it's better than my keggle.

No kidding...I am just starting out and just bought the basic starting stuff, spent about $100 and got the evil eye. Hopefully that will all change once my first brew is complete and she will see it was all worth it.

 

[Channel66]

No kidding...I am just starting out and just bought the basic starting stuff, spent about $100 and got the evil eye. Hopefully that will all change once my first brew is complete and she will see it was all worth it.

It will, though as you progress as a brewer, things start getting pricier. Mine loves to brew with me but sees no need to upgrade if I'm already making great beer.

I use a 3 tier, 2 keggle, 2 turkey burner setup, 15 gal cooler mash tun. I'd love to be on a single tier electric brewery or something similar, maybe one day.

To the OP I highly suggest getting some experience before jumping any further and regretting the pricey equipment. the boilermaker and burner well hold their resale for a really long time so your investment quite safe, most high end equipment will hold its value, but there isn't any sense in spending outrageous dollar amounts on equipment you don't even know how to use.

 

[argodzilla]

I've kind of stopped buying...a little. I want my second brewing to be a full boil. I just bought a 1/2 hp submersible pump and a 50' 1/2 copper immersion wort chiller. I also bought a few cases of 1 liter flip top bottles. I'm also thinking about getting a Carboy jacket to better control fermentation temps...as my first kit batch stalled at 1.020...wondering if my mud room 58 degree night temp stalled my fermentation.

I do not want to notch/hack my blichmann lid. Anyone have a MacGyver solution to this? Can I get away with partially closing it and not notching?

Thanks!