Well, this is my first post here. I've been reading off this forum for at least a few hours an evening for the past 2-3 weeks and figured it's about time I start asking questions!
I've wanted to try my hand at home brewing for a couple years now and I think I'm at the point I'm ready to spend some money and give it a try, but before I pull the trigger and risk spending money on the wrong equipment, I'm here to ask of your advise and suggestions.
So, my beers of choice are, Imperial Stouts, Porters and my cheap and light go to beer has always been a Hefeweizen, so those are my brews of interest.
I'm wanting to do a full all grain brew setup. I'm trying to keep equipment costs to a minimum since I'm new to this and I've got a baby on the way. Kinda figured, since I'm not drinking (since the wife can't drink) I'd brew instead!
Here's my equipment list, if anyone has suggestions this is where I need the help and/or advice, as well.
30qt Turkey Fryer setup for step mash
Fermtech 1/2" auto siphon
spring loaded bottle filler
3 piece airlock+carboy bung x2
triple scale hydrometer w/ 10" glass test "jar"
12" stainless thermometer
bottles
bottle capper+caps
8oz star-san
That totals up to $130 shipped.
I've got two plastic 5g water jugs in the style of carboys at my disposal.
I'll need a few odds and ends, need to build a sparge manifold or false bottom, need all the necessary tubing, copper tubing for a chiller and a fly sparge setup
I was planning on going with 5 gallon HDPE buckets from Home Depot or similar, spigot on one to use for Sparge water source and fly sparge. Using a 5 gallon bucket for primary fermentation or the plastic 5g carboys, however it plays out and maybe a smaller bucket for secondary fermentation, if need be?
I know typical is 6.5 buckets for 5 gallons, so I'll have to downsize my brew and ingredients, which is fine, smaller batches mean I can brew more frequently, giving me more of a tinkering/learning curve and also should enable me to brew multiple styles of brew, at least I hope.
So, thoughts? Suggestions? What am I missing?
I've wanted to try my hand at home brewing for a couple years now and I think I'm at the point I'm ready to spend some money and give it a try, but before I pull the trigger and risk spending money on the wrong equipment, I'm here to ask of your advise and suggestions.
So, my beers of choice are, Imperial Stouts, Porters and my cheap and light go to beer has always been a Hefeweizen, so those are my brews of interest.
I'm wanting to do a full all grain brew setup. I'm trying to keep equipment costs to a minimum since I'm new to this and I've got a baby on the way. Kinda figured, since I'm not drinking (since the wife can't drink) I'd brew instead!
Here's my equipment list, if anyone has suggestions this is where I need the help and/or advice, as well.
30qt Turkey Fryer setup for step mash
Fermtech 1/2" auto siphon
spring loaded bottle filler
3 piece airlock+carboy bung x2
triple scale hydrometer w/ 10" glass test "jar"
12" stainless thermometer
bottles
bottle capper+caps
8oz star-san
That totals up to $130 shipped.
I've got two plastic 5g water jugs in the style of carboys at my disposal.
I'll need a few odds and ends, need to build a sparge manifold or false bottom, need all the necessary tubing, copper tubing for a chiller and a fly sparge setup
I was planning on going with 5 gallon HDPE buckets from Home Depot or similar, spigot on one to use for Sparge water source and fly sparge. Using a 5 gallon bucket for primary fermentation or the plastic 5g carboys, however it plays out and maybe a smaller bucket for secondary fermentation, if need be?
I know typical is 6.5 buckets for 5 gallons, so I'll have to downsize my brew and ingredients, which is fine, smaller batches mean I can brew more frequently, giving me more of a tinkering/learning curve and also should enable me to brew multiple styles of brew, at least I hope.
So, thoughts? Suggestions? What am I missing?