I have heard that doing extract to start is a wise idea to get a feel for how boils go. With that said, since I had observed a friend of mine brew beer about 5 times before I got my own equipment, and so I already kind of knew how things go. I did a partial mash for my second batch and all grain my third. Both went relatively easy since I had the back ground. If you have a back ground of knowing how things are supposed to go, then go for the gusto. Have fun.