Things I need.

[TxBigHops]

Honestly, with a $150 budget, Craigslist and used equipment would be your best bet. Lots of deals on C'list, just may take some time and patience. I have a collection of equipment, kettles, kegerators, fridges, freezer, CO2 tanks. Way more than I need, but I can't pass up a steal.

An old 15 gallon stainless kettle looks damn good after 30 minutes and $0.50 worth of BKF.

30 bucks for kettle, lid and paddle. Had years of filth and a couple little dings but polished up pretty...the bottom is just wet.

Great find! There is some truly helpful advice! Love that paddle.

 

[RM-MN]

For the amount I brew, the savings on bulk grain would not be material. Plus I would have to deal with storage. And yes, I have compared the crush I get currently to other crushes and also get over 80% efficiency. The LHBS I use is very conscious of his crush and responsive to his customers needs. But that's me. We have no idea whether the OP is in the same situation or not. He hasn't told us. And this thread is about him, not me.

What I asked you to do is justify a beginning all grain brewer spending 2/3 of his budget on a grain mill when he has many other things which I would think most brewers would prioritize higher. Not saying a grain mill isn't desireable and not saying that you personally might not prioritize it, but just asking for a bit more justification to recommend someone else prioritize it higher than an appropriate sized kettle.

You are so fortunate. The nearest LHBS that has a crusher is 150 miles away and if I buy grains I want to buy in bulk to save on transportation. I apologize for questioning you but so may have shown that the majority of LHBS's crush way too coarse so that people are asking here on how to improve their efficiency. Some have reported 50% and at that rate a cheap mill will pay for itself quickly.

 

[TxBigHops]

You are so fortunate. The nearest LHBS that has a crusher is 150 miles away and if I buy grains I want to buy in bulk to save on transportation. I apologize for questioning you but so may have shown that the majority of LHBS's crush way too coarse so that people are asking here on how to improve their efficiency. Some have reported 50% and at that rate a cheap mill will pay for itself quickly.

That's quite understandable. I am fortunate to be in a major metropolitan area and have two excellent Home brew stores that I drive past every day to and from work. Maybe OP will weigh in and let us know where he lives? Regardless, we have given him a lot of options, so he will have a difficult decision to make. He's soon going to learn that with this hobby, there is always another piece of shiny equipment that he just can't possibly live without!

 

[wilserbrewer]

Love that paddle.

Could have been yours I'm a wood paddle guy, so I sold it for 10 bucks in 10 minutes in the classifieds here...so I have $20 into a "made in USA" Volrath 15 gal SS kettle w/ lid...not bad

I find these boards kinda fun and funny...TxBigHops takes exception to a $100 mill being exceptionally expensive with regards to the $150 budget, yet posts links for $200 - $300 kettles several posts above...all good - we are all just trying to help.

Respectfully submitted,
cheers!
wilser

with a $150 budget, a good hard look at a corona mill for $26 is a good idea...

 

[Firewalker11]

15 gallon for sure! 60 quart kettles can be had for $60.00, aluminum of course but dont fear aluminum, its sealed once you boil in it for a while. I created the oxidizing coating by filling it with water and boiled it for two hours. EZPZ.

 

[JPicasso]

How can you justify him spending 2/3 of his limited budget on a grain mill, without knowing if he has any issues with his grain crush? I have thousands of dollars worth of equipment on my want list prioritized above a grain mill because I do not buy grain in bulk and I'm completely satisfied with the crush I get at my LHBS. He may or may not be in the same position. We don't know because he hasn't said. He has only asked about stuff he must have to make good beer. A mill seems to me to be a luxury or a nice to have, not a requirement. Especially when the trade-off is a less than ideal (small) kettle.

He was asking for opinions. I gave him one. Justfied!

I offered up a possibility and planted the seed that he might want to consider a mill. I brew in a 7.5 gallon pot and have no problems obtaining 5 -1/2 gallons in my fermentor. Especially with BIAB, since we tend to mill finer than traditional AG brewing, a mill at home would be dandy. Dandy I say!


I quite like wilser's suggestion that you start watching craigs list for supplies. But be picky in what you buy, or you'll end up with a bunch of useful items that you actually never use. (Ask me how I know!)

Honestly, none of us can tell you how "best" to spend your money. We could easily spend $150 on equipment, or more. (or pretend to spend) Honestly, maybe your 6.5 gallon pot will produce enough 4 or 4.5 gallon batches for you to enjoy some variety. Sounds like first thing, if you're going BIAB, is to get a decent bag, and a vessel that you can boil things in. Lots of questions: are you going to brew outside/inside? Electric/propane/stovetop? bottle/keg? Lots of good ideas in this thread so far.

 

[jcglezen]

So I'm trying to cost effectively switch to all grain and I want to know what all I need. I have everything that comes with a 5 gallon extract beer kit. I'm just wondering how many additional items I would need or should need to make good beer. Thanks!

A 44 quart Bayou Classic (with basket) will run you about $70. I find it a great size for most of my 5 gal batches, although I would likely top out doing a really strong DIPA or barleywine.

The basket has its advantages too. I keeps the bag off the bottom of the kettle if you need to hit it with heat and provides easy lifting after the mash-out.

 

[MaxStout]

If you want stainless, look at the Concord kettles on Amazon. Very reasonably priced and well-built. I think the 60 qt. version is around $100.

Otherwise, nothing wrong with aluminum if you want to save some $$$. Boil some water in it for an hour to create the protective passivation layer prior to first use.