Planning my setup...thoughts?

[SpikeBrewing]

I looked at these and really like that the quality build seems much better. I am bit confused on the options. The site has the "turnkey" solo system but caveats that pump isn't included at a price of 1500+, yet the single kettle with some options ~550. First time looking at these so I'll need to do more research. Always up for some more reading!

Thanks for considering Spike! We sell the pump and chiller as add ons as many people are upgrading from other systems and already have those parts.

 

[hilljack13]

Thanks for considering Spike! We sell the pump and chiller as add ons as many people are upgrading from other systems and already have those parts.

Just knowing you are a member here and replied makes a HUGE difference. Spike is on the radar!

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

After looking at many stainless steel conicals I settled on a Spike. You won't go wrong considering them and as you have noted they're here on HBT. Great quality and for me, almost local.

 

[martin0718]

Long post so please bear with me.

I have about 7 months, maybe ~10, to plan my brew setup. I wanted to share my initial plan to see if anyone has done something similar and what other options I might be missing. I first thought about what my end goal was and to work backwards. Although I keep finding it hard to not keep looking at the actual brew equipment. So below is my plan. I appreciate any feedback. I am sure to miss some things since I have only done extracts. I do plan to go all grain using electric. Any links to good articles or reviews to keep responses short might help others as well.

End goal: No smaller than 4 tap system.

I like the idea of building my own keezer. I'll use build lightly as I would look at a 7-9 CuFt chest freezer. I have seen a few at Lowes for ~$350. Much lower than the Kegco 3 and 4 taps I saw. I have done bottles before and will never go back. 4 corney kegs and for the slight cost difference, a 10lb CO2 tank. I would like to keep the tank inside the keezer. I am looking at the Kegco reglator and secondary. I may try different pressures so a distributor isn't needed. I'm OK with the added cost when I can catch them on sale. I'll look at all the lines, couplers, dispensers, sink and drains in the coming months.

How to get 4 kegs of beer? Fermentation time. I am way up in the air on this one. I didn't mind my old glass carboys. Cleaning is a pain, but why not some plastics? I don't know. I don't have to go low cost but don't mind putting in more overhead. I liked the idea of conicals so I can dump the trub and yeast. I also like the transfer from bottom spigot. Some of the pricing is way beyond my understanding, but I have seen some reviews on the Anvil 7 gal bucket. Much cheaper. Has a small concave bottom but no trub dump. I figure I have to start somewhere. Also, with 4 kegs I plan to buy a minimum of 3 fermenters. I plan to keep a rotating lager at minimum. I do have a side-by-side refrigerator I can use. I just need to measure the inside height to see if I can fit two. Doubtful if I can put a third on the freezer side.
I'm not planning on doing secondary. A lot of reading seems to point in the direction of this is not absolutely needed. I will finish with conditioning in the kegs.
Other issues I need to consider are ale fermentation cooling/heating. A GC just isn't happening yet. Maybe later.
Fermentation summary: 3 fermenters, one lager min at all times. The rest I'll keep different to try new flavors.

Now to figure out how to get the fermenters full! Common sense I know. But, I do plan to use electric system. I can't get past the number of positive reviews for Anvil 10.5. I also like the idea of using 110V first until I can get 220/240 going. Since I will probably be moving in a few years I am not sure I want to fit the bill of that install and have to do it over after the move. I doubt I would go less than 5 gal batches, and maybe once, if that, a 10 gal batch. BUT I do like the high octane so a bigger kettle is good. My next option is Grainfather G40. I lean toward this just because it has more video reviews posted so I can actually see what is going on. I'm a visual learner . I have thought about trying the Anvil and if needed sell and get the GF. May not come to that, but ya know...options!
Options I like to look for: warranty, what accessories are included, do I need to buy anything additional, ability to step mash, sparge, ease of cleaning, learning cure of setup using the interface. I have IT background.
I don't need anything WiFi or BT but might be nice to have if my laziness gets worse.

Again this is just a starting point and I have at minimum 7 months to learn what I may like and to figure out how off I am initially. I think black Friday is when I'll start looking for deals and get first purchases going. I already saw the regulators on sale for the 4th so holiday shopping should prove nice since I have to wait anyway.

Looking forward to advice and follow-up questions.
Brew on!

I've got a 7 and 10 gallon Avil kettles with ferment in a kettle option. Love them I use BIAB and sometimes extract kits. If doing BIAB skip the 7 and go right to 10 gallon kettles. The kettles are induction ready so I have a electric induction plate for mashing and boiling. Pre drilled for the fiak. I installed the blichman brew vision thermometer also. You can set up to alert you on everything to mash in, boil additions when how much and cooling. It's Bluetooth so I can do other things besides watch a kettle boil. Mash, pull buab, boil, add, aerate,

Long post so please bear with me.

I have about 7 months, maybe ~10, to plan my brew setup. I wanted to share my initial plan to see if anyone has done something similar and what other options I might be missing. I first thought about what my end goal was and to work backwards. Although I keep finding it hard to not keep looking at the actual brew equipment. So below is my plan. I appreciate any feedback. I am sure to miss some things since I have only done extracts. I do plan to go all grain using electric. Any links to good articles or reviews to keep responses short might help others as well.

End goal: No smaller than 4 tap system.

I like the idea of building my own keezer. I'll use build lightly as I would look at a 7-9 CuFt chest freezer. I have seen a few at Lowes for ~$350. Much lower than the Kegco 3 and 4 taps I saw. I have done bottles before and will never go back. 4 corney kegs and for the slight cost difference, a 10lb CO2 tank. I would like to keep the tank inside the keezer. I am looking at the Kegco reglator and secondary. I may try different pressures so a distributor isn't needed. I'm OK with the added cost when I can catch them on sale. I'll look at all the lines, couplers, dispensers, sink and drains in the coming months.

How to get 4 kegs of beer? Fermentation time. I am way up in the air on this one. I didn't mind my old glass carboys. Cleaning is a pain, but why not some plastics? I don't know. I don't have to go low cost but don't mind putting in more overhead. I liked the idea of conicals so I can dump the trub and yeast. I also like the transfer from bottom spigot. Some of the pricing is way beyond my understanding, but I have seen some reviews on the Anvil 7 gal bucket. Much cheaper. Has a small concave bottom but no trub dump. I figure I have to start somewhere. Also, with 4 kegs I plan to buy a minimum of 3 fermenters. I plan to keep a rotating lager at minimum. I do have a side-by-side refrigerator I can use. I just need to measure the inside height to see if I can fit two. Doubtful if I can put a third on the freezer side.
I'm not planning on doing secondary. A lot of reading seems to point in the direction of this is not absolutely needed. I will finish with conditioning in the kegs.
Other issues I need to consider are ale fermentation cooling/heating. A GC just isn't happening yet. Maybe later.
Fermentation summary: 3 fermenters, one lager min at all times. The rest I'll keep different to try new flavors.

Now to figure out how to get the fermenters full! Common sense I know. But, I do plan to use electric system. I can't get past the number of positive reviews for Anvil 10.5. I also like the idea of using 110V first until I can get 220/240 going. Since I will probably be moving in a few years I am not sure I want to fit the bill of that install and have to do it over after the move. I doubt I would go less than 5 gal batches, and maybe once, if that, a 10 gal batch. BUT I do like the high octane so a bigger kettle is good. My next option is Grainfather G40. I lean toward this just because it has more video reviews posted so I can actually see what is going on. I'm a visual learner . I have thought about trying the Anvil and if needed sell and get the GF. May not come to that, but ya know...options!
Options I like to look for: warranty, what accessories are included, do I need to buy anything additional, ability to step mash, sparge, ease of cleaning, learning cure of setup using the interface. I have IT background.
I don't need anything WiFi or BT but might be nice to have if my laziness gets worse.

Again this is just a starting point and I have at minimum 7 months to learn what I may like and to figure out how off I am initially. I think black Friday is when I'll start looking for deals and get first purchases going. I already saw the regulators on sale for the 4th so holiday shopping should prove nice since I have to wait anyway.

Looking forward to advice and follow-up questions.
Brew on!

I have Anvil kettles, 7 and 10 gallon with ferment in a kettle option. I absolutely love them. Mash, boil, aerate, pitch yeast, sealnlid and wait. They are induction ready so I have an induction hot plate to brew on on my basement. I use biab . I have everything on wheels sov i can push to side and on brew day push out to pulley system and floor drain. Literrally my whole system take up a 2x6 area. I have a utility sink so I can wash, a outlet to hook cooling coil and hoses up to. Those kettles are space savers and money savers. I leave the kettle on the hot plate, or if brewing b4 two weeks and keeping I have a table to set kettle on. I unless I'm doing back to backs I never move the kettle, I have it high enough to keg from kettles. So once I throw the empty kettle up I never lift again until I put keg in keezer. I would watch market place as I have bought 7 cu foot freezers for 100 or so and recently bought keezer, 3 taps, co2 and manifold for 300 . Easily 500 to 600 set up. You have time I'd look for sales and people exiting.

 

[JAReeves]

I started on the stove, moved to propane on the porch, and now use induction burners in the garage. Went from extract to BIAB to the 3V system I have now. Other than the cooling coils I use in my SS fermenters (using a homemade AC-based glycol chiller) and my first brew kettle and the keezer, everything I use is used from someone who downsized or quit homebrewing. As I have upgraded my system, I have parted out the bits I didn't need to other homebrewers.

While you may have the cash to drop on a new system, don't be afraid to start out with used equipment to make sure you like the time spent homebrewing and the process of learning to make beer that beats what you can buy in the store. If the hobby grabs you, upgrade for what works in your space and/or your method. I plan on going wild and upgrading in the next few years to a 5BBL system attached to a small pub/restaurant ; in the meantime, it's just practice-practice-practice (and drink).

 

[Broken Crow]

reconditioned kegs from places like MoreBeer

Thanks for mentioning that! I didn't even think of it because I've never even seen actual reconditioned ones available in Canada and I'm also maybe a bit biased because after the last time I had to return a used keg to my LHBS, the owner went ballistic over the trash that he'd been supplied with by one of our country's biggest and best dealers in what's left of the available used kegs in bulk. He won't be selling used ones anymore, as he can't reliably source them, and being a smaller market than the US, the labour/parts cost on reconditioning make in non-viable.

 

[treacheroustexan]

Here's a good deal on a 7 cu ft chest freezer if you're still looking:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Frigidai...03-White/1343755292?athbdg=L1200&from=/search

 

[hilljack13]

Here's a good deal on a 7 cu ft chest freezer if you're still looking:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Frigidai...03-White/1343755292?athbdg=L1200&from=/search

Dang! I'll be looking but can't purchase until after Christmas. I am hoping there will be some after holiday sales.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

I've seen chest freezers "on sale" throughout the year. Just watch what you buy. Others here have some good suggestions on models.

Not to sway you but I bought a new GE and it died right after the warranty ended. Purchasing an appliance these days is a gamble. Do your research.

 

[hilljack13]

So I have learned a lot from the members here and wanted to say thanks for all the knowledge shared.

I have finally made it back to US! And I had my own little Christmas opening up all the boxes I have ordered over the past few months.

Let see what we have!

GF G40

TWO @SpikeBrewing Flex+ with all the trimmings. PRVs in second pic. The blue cooler is 2 gal for test batches!

4 Kegs, along with regulator and 4 connect secondary. Two Inkbirds. I only ordered one but whos complaining!

About 5 all grain kits. And 3 10lb bags for testing.

Enough yeast to save the world. Good exp dates on these! ('25 & '26). Plus 7lbs of more grain to test.

What looks like a random pic is my 3x 55lb sacks I ordered while a bit tipsy (Fun thread on that here!)

Still awaiting the @SpikeBrewing mill and glycol. Need the hoses for kegs setup. Also more fridge space or a kegerator. Small things here and there!

 

[Yesfan]

........Need the hoses for kegs setup. Also more fridge space or a kegerator. Small things here and there!

EVA Barrier for the hoses and either Duotight or John Guest (both push to connect style) for the fittings. One of the best upgrades I made for my kegerator. William's Brewing, More Beer, and Brew Hardware (Bobby M) are your best sources for those.

 

[Bassman2003]

Glad to see you are set up! You have a lot of work/fun ahead of you.

I second the EVA Barrier tubing. Should be mandatory for all kegging etc...

 

[wepeeler]

Damn, that looked like a lot of fun opening! I see you're storing grain in your fridge? You definitely do not need to, and you could use that fridge space for something else. Grab a couple of Vittle Vaults or even some screw on lids for 5gal buckets.

You're gonna have so much fun using all that stuff. And yeah, you bought enough yeast to last 5 homebrew lifetimes lol.

 

[hilljack13]

Damn, that looked like a lot of fun opening! I see you're storing grain in your fridge? You definitely do not need to, and you could use that fridge space for something else. Grab a couple of Vittle Vaults or even some screw on lids for 5gal buckets.

You're gonna have so much fun using all that stuff. And yeah, you bought enough yeast to last 5 homebrew lifetimes lol.

Only doing this until storage containers arrive and I can get the area setup. Also to keep bugs out. Still cold but never know.

 

[hotbeer]

The cost for that first glass of beer is going to be a whopper!

Enjoy!

 

[Yesfan]

Only doing this until storage containers arrive and I can get the area setup. Also to keep bugs out. Still cold but never know.

Just a FYI, but since your grain is going to be colder than room temp, your strike water may need to be higher to keep your mash temps on target.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

So I have learned a lot from the members here and wanted to say thanks for all the knowledge shared.

I have finally made it back to US! And I had my own little Christmas opening up all the boxes I have ordered over the past few months.

Let see what we have!

GF G40
View attachment 838421

TWO @SpikeBrewing Flex+ with all the trimmings. PRVs in second pic. The blue cooler is 2 gal for test batches!
View attachment 838422
View attachment 838423

4 Kegs, along with regulator and 4 connect secondary. Two Inkbirds. I only ordered one but whos complaining!
View attachment 838424

About 5 all grain kits. And 3 10lb bags for testing.

View attachment 838425

Enough yeast to save the world. Good exp dates on these! ('25 & '26). Plus 7lbs of more grain to test.

View attachment 838426

What looks like a random pic is my 3x 55lb sacks I ordered while a bit tipsy (Fun thread on that here!)

View attachment 838427

Still awaiting the @SpikeBrewing mill and glycol. Need the hoses for kegs setup. Also more fridge space or a kegerator. Small things here and there!

Looks like Santa never made it anyone else's home in your neighborhood!

 

[hilljack13]

Just a FYI, but since your grain is going to be colder than room temp, your strike water may need to be higher to keep your mash temps on target.

I'll have it out well before brewing. Once I get my containers this won't be an issue. I didn't mention before, but another reason the grains are in the fridge is I just simply ran out of space to put anything else.

Next step is to being planning layout and setup.

 

[hilljack13]

The cost for that first glass of beer is going to be a whopper!

Enjoy!

Maybe, but the last one will be dirt cheap!