Need equipment upgrade help

[Groundhog]

Howdy folks-

How would you upgrade your brewery if you had $200 to play with? I've got a pretty standard all grain setup: 10 gallon cooler/ MLT, keggle, immersion wort chiller, a couple glass carboys, plastic buckets, etc...

Should I start working on a kegging setup? Pump?

Let me know what you would do!

Cheers-
Groundhog

 

[Pappers_]

Fermentation chamber?

 

[RegionalChaos]

I would do a ferm chamber, cause that's where I'm at with my build out.

 

[Sawdustguy]

Howdy folks-

How would you upgrade your brewery if you had $200 to play with? I've got a pretty standard all grain setup: 10 gallon cooler/ MLT, keggle, immersion wort chiller, a couple glass carboys, plastic buckets, etc...

Should I start working on a kegging setup? Pump?

Let me know what you would do!

Cheers-
Groundhog

I would save a little more and build a keezer. The keezer can serve two purposes. It can serve as a place from where you can serve your kegged beer and as a fermentation chamber when it is not serving beer.

 

[oceanselv]

What do you brew? Are you looking to get into lagers along with ales? If so use the money to build a keezer. The problem is the freezer will likely cost ~$125 and a basic single keg, regulator and CO2 canister can approach $150, for a 2 keg system the cost is around $200 when you include freight and then you need to on the $50 or so for a temperature controller. To build a keezer you can estimate the total cost to be $325-$375. How long will it take you to save the additional money? If it will be fairly quickly I would wait and build a keezer. If it will take a long time I would look into buying a 55lb bag of 2 row and a grain mill. If you are lucky enough to have a microbrewery or brewpub near you they may sell you a bag of domestic 2 row for around $30.

 

[shortyjacobs]

Kegging!

For $200 you can get this, (I'd actually spend a few bucks more and get this because it has a dual body reg). Get a free fridge on craigslist, and you are good to go. In time, you can easily upgrade to more kegs, real taps, etc. Fridges don't need temp controllers, so that's really your total outlay.

Best thing I ever did.

 

[Marsdude]

+1 on kegging. A ferm chamber is also a good thing to have but you can put one together for way less than $200.

 

[patrck17]

Either fermentation chamber or kegging, you really want to have both.

 

[ThickHead]

Either fermentation chamber or kegging, you really want to have both.

+1

But I would get a fermentation chamber first. It will more than likely vastly improve your final results. Better beer first, then better storage and distribution equipment imho.

 

[user 15951]

pump... srsly.

 

[RegionalChaos]

Better beer first, then better storage and distribution equipment imho.

Exactly. I'm working through my system start to finish, address each bottle neck or issue as it comes along in the process. Maintaining a fermentation temps comes a lot sooner then getting the perfect pour from a tricked out kegerator or keezer..

 

[maida7]

+1

But I would get a fermentation chamber first. It will more than likely vastly improve your final results. Better beer first, then better storage and distribution equipment imho.

I agree, get a used fridge off craigslist for cheap. Add a dual out put digital controler and a heat element. You will have the ultimate control over your ferment temps and the effect on beer quality is big.

Another though: do you make starters? do you have a stirplate? They are cheap and provide great results.

Do you buy in bulk? Buy a nice digital scale and a food saver, you will save major cash on grain and hops.

 

[Groundhog]

Thanks Folks!

I appreciate all the ideas- keep 'em comin'...

Cheers-
Groundhog

 

[rockytoptim]

I vote for ferm chamber. As stated above you can get cheap fridge off craiglist. I got mine for $50 and put love TSS2 controller on. Its maiden lager fermentation is going at the moment.

Stir plates rock as well. You can get one from http://www.stirstarters.com/. I have one from them and it works like a charm. My fermentation starts sooner and is more vigorous since I started using starters.

Looks like you might be able to get fridge controller and stir plate for $200 if you get cheap fridge.

 

[Joelsyales]

If you are seriously still bottling, KEGGING SYSTEM should be your number one priority. It is such a time saver and will change your brewing life!!! No way I would do anything else until you have a functioning kegging system.