Ready to start researching AG

MountainBrothers · Jan 7, 2014

I am new to brewing, and I am ready to start doing some research on all-grain brewing. I still want to get some extract brewing under my belt, and I am going to start buying ingredients (extract included) in bulk to start adding my own twists to brews. In the meantime, I want to start seeing some DIY set ups for AG. There is enough info out there for me to figure what I need, and how to do it, but I would like to start getting some ideas on how I am going to set up my brewing area (my garage). My plan is to use half of my garage as a stationary brewing station. I plan on building a table with stainless steel top and shelves and what not, and a stainless steel sink. I also plan on finding an upright freezer for an efficient temp control box. I would like to see some set ups so I know how much extra room I will have for the table and freezer. Keep in mind, eventually, I will be kegging (hopefully sooner than later). AG tips are definitely helpful, but again, this is just the start of my research, and I will not be doing AG for at least a couple months, so I am more just looking for some set ups. Thanks!

tootal · Jan 7, 2014

I think it's a good idea to get your sanatation down along with procedures with extract brewing. Once you have that experience then I would suggest something I've never done because nobody had invented it yet and that's Brew in a bag. Just one pot and a heat source. That would have been so much easier than what we use to do!! Once you have that down you may be happy. If you want to step mash then I would move to a RIMS type system. It's all an addiction!!

gozarca2 · Jan 9, 2014

Whats RIMS?

bajaedition · Jan 9, 2014

gozarca2 said:
Whats RIMS?

recirculating infusion mash system

it is a system that takes wort from the mash and sends it through a heater to either hold temp or raise temp and send it back into the mash

acidrain · Jan 9, 2014

May I suggest for your first pot, get one big enough that you won't be kicking yourself later wondering why you got too small of a pot.
10 gal. boil kettle (BK) is as small as you want to go in my opinion. If you have the skills and tools, a 1/2 bbl keg (15.5 gal.) makes a great boil kettle.

bajaedition · Jan 9, 2014

acidrain said:
May I suggest for your first pot, get one big enough that you won't be kicking yourself later wondering why you got too small of a pot.
10 gal. boil kettle (BK) is as small as you want to go in my opinion. If you have the skills and tools, a 1/2 bbl keg (15.5 gal.) makes a great boil kettle.

Sage words of advice
a lot of us started with small brew pots and have bought a few just because we tried to save money and actually ended up spending more.

funny, I started small, ramped up twice, and now am down to small again, maybe I should reread my own advice.

MountainBrothers · Jan 10, 2014

When I first started (extract), I got a 5 gallon boil pot. This was OK, because I was splitting kits, in experimentation, but I quickly learned that I was not happy with how small it was, and would have to upgrade to do full kits. Luckily, a friend of mine, and I have been brewing together, so he went out and got an 8 gallon pot. With all grain, I have heard this same advice. I found a 30 gallon SS mash tun on craigslist for $75. We emailed the guy, and we are waiting on a response. I figured, for $75, we HAVE to pick this up. Even if we only do 5 or 10 gallons in it at a time, or even if we dont use it until we are doing larger batches, it seems too good to pass up. I have been watching a lot of YouTube videos to get a feel for everything I will need, and am slowly picking up equiptment. Thanks for advice, and wish me luck!