To go all grain, or not?

[inhousebrew]

It doesn't cost anything to go BIAB. Why not do that first? I did it once and have never felt the need to pay any more money. I totally get the gadget-side of the hobby, but just as a matter of preference, I don't need to get into that.

There is always room for gadgets with BIAB later on too so it's not like you're pigeonholing yourself into some primitive method. Plenty of people with lifts for the grain bag, recirculating pumps, electric temp regulation, ect. It can be as easy as 1+1=2 or it can be as complicated as X times the trigonometry of y plus the radius of your kettle equals beer.

I guess what I'm saying is anything can be as simple or complicated as you want it to be and sometimes it doesn't even need to really make sense if it works for you.

 

[bovineblitz]

There's so much great and complicated engineering on these forums (that I'm often jealous of)... but it's important to point out that it doesn't necessarily make the beer any better. You can have a really complicated great system, and you can brew very simply via BIAB and dump all the trub directly into your fermenters, and you can win blue ribbons either way. AG is AG, whether or not you use a mash tun.

As I've said, I prefer using a mash tun, but it's not any better or worse than any other way of doing it. I've brewed with friends on 3 burner systems with pumps, and I've done many a BIAB. The chemistry of brewing is the same regardless.

 

[wags13]

Thanks everyone for the input. Extremely helpful. It sounds like it may be best to start with an all grain BIAB brew or two then go from there.

Again thanks and cheers..

 

[Cellarbrau]

The only pertinent question hasn't been asked. What kind of beers do you want to make?

 

[pjj2ba]

So I have 10 or so extract only recipes under the belt. Ready for the next step. I have an 8 gallon kettle so I could easily go the biab route, I understand there are reasons to skip it and go right for an all grain with mash tun technique. I need to people to speak up and help me make up my mind!!!! BIAB or go for the gold????

Ultimately follow your gut. I'm a firm believer in doing what feels right to you. If the traditional all-grain is what intrigues you more, then go for it. You may have some problems with a new technique at first, but if this is truly what you want to do, you will figure out what it takes to make it a smooth process for YOU. If it seems too $$$ or a bit overwhelming, then BIAB