Torn.....freaking TORN!!!

[ZmannR2]

So here's my dilemma and I'm looking for folks who have gone both routes and see what you think is better.

I've been full grain BIAB brewing for over a year now. Just brewed my 17th batch last night. I'm ready to go 10 gal batches and build a keezer to replace my single kegerator to accommodate.

My options:

1. build or buy an all electric BIAB system utilizing 240V in my garage. I RREEAALLLYY like this set up from High Gravity. And I even have a chugger already so that system will only cost me about $890.

2. I recently purchased a Blichmann Hellfire and am IN LOVE with it. My city has natural gas lines freshly installed in my backyard so I can get a real nice set up using natural gas lines to feed two burners going full grain the traditional way using mash tun method.

I love the simplicity of BIAB but is it more rewarding and detail oriented to go traditional?

Or I guess option 3 is BIAB using gas?

Thoughts?

 

[Murphys_Law]

I'd love to have a nice ebiab setup! I do propane fired now using the original Blichmann burner.

 

[RedlegEd]

So here's my dilemma and I'm looking for folks who have gone both routes and see what you think is better.

I've been full grain BIAB brewing for over a year now. Just brewed my 17th batch last night. I'm ready to go 10 gal batches and build a keezer to replace my single kegerator to accommodate.

My options:

1. build or buy an all electric BIAB system utilizing 240V in my garage. I RREEAALLLYY like this set up from High Gravity. And I even have a chugger already so that system will only cost me about $890.

2. I recently purchased a Blichmann Hellfire and am IN LOVE with it. My city has natural gas lines freshly installed in my backyard so I can get a real nice set up using natural gas lines to feed two burners going full grain the traditional way using mash tun method.

I love the simplicity of BIAB but is it more rewarding and detail oriented to go traditional?

Or I guess option 3 is BIAB using gas?

Thoughts?

Hi. Since you asked, here are my thoughts. I've done propane BIAB, EBIAB and am now using Grainfather (even though I still have my old EBIAB rig.) I recommend you go with the 240V system in your garage, even though brewing outdoors in the "cold" months is not an issue (because you live in a really mild, temperate climate.) I see two major benefits to the EBIAB system vs the other two options.
#1 - Precision & control of your mash process, especially managing the mash temperature for multi-step mashes. The controller and recirculation pump are really great for that.
#2 - Flexibility and ease of brewing. By that, I mean you can brew regardless of the weather in a nice, dry place. You don't have to drag a bunch of stuff out to the back porch (which means you don't have to drag a bunch of stuff back in (to include full buckets/carboys, etc.) Clean up is also a whole lot easier with a (E)BIAB system than with a two or 3 vessel system.
Now, as far as rewarding, I find what I do plenty rewarding because if done right, you still have flexibility, control, and good (hopefully) results in the end. I personally don't find any reward in a longer clean up. Them's my $0.02. Ed

 

[brick_haus]

My 3/4" natural gas line doesnt supply enough juice to boil my 15g of wort using the original bilchmann burner. Be sure that you have the gas supply before making your decision.
I had the gas company come out to upgrade to an2" meter and assure 11iwc and still not good enough. And yes, I installed the NG oriface.

 

[Stillraining]

Sounds like you are already really wanting to go electric so my opinion is probably pointless..but here you go.

Here is a 4.5 hour 30 gallon brew day kit including set up,clean up and tear down..Clean up of 90% of everything is preformed during the boil only thing left is the 3 pots but that time is included in total brew day . Your fermenter clean up will be the same regardless of electric or gas system and will only very by what fermenters used or their number..I have moved from 5 gal to 10 gal fermenters for all but split batches which for me are few, so I have cut clean up of those in half as well for the most part.
My coldest outside brew day has been 19 degrees, I just brought the mash tons in the house for the hour needed everything else was done out in my garage.
Lots of people seem to like the gadgets and pumps and so called versatility of an all electric rig and its associated exhaust hood, fans and paraphernalia, and or a three vessel system. I like it simple and I like not dedicating or modifying real estate to a hobby I may some day decide to walk away from.
Pretty shiny stuff doesn't make any better beer then scruffy looking stuff. And from all reading I have done automation is another word for adding time to your brew day. It may add enjoyment to yours however and there in lies why other peoples opinions mean very little in the end.

My Vote Go Gas...you can still brew beer and cook chili when the power goes out..
PS: Total investment less then your quoted figure.

 

[bkboiler]

Pretty shiny stuff doesn't make any better beer then scruffy looking stuff.

Here-here!

That 30g setup is pretty BA, tho!

I love my setup, the only thing it needs is some more organization and a sink. Having access to a sink and running water is worth spending $$ on before doing automation, imho. A fancy control panel wont do ALL the cleaning for you.

 

[Stillraining]

My 3/4" natural gas line doesnt supply enough juice to boil my 15g of wort using the original bilchmann burner. Be sure that you have the gas supply before making your decision.
I had the gas company come out to upgrade to an2" meter and assure 11iwc and still not good enough. And yes, I installed the NG oriface.

Interesting information..If this is across the board regardless of provider and a standard limitation to NG delivery then Id stay with propane as my gas choice.

 

[kh54s10]

If your main consideration is between BIAB and traditional, think of the weight of up to 40 pounds of grain when dry, then think of how heavy that is going to be when the grain is wet for your 10 gallon batch. If you go with BIAB you are going to have to have some sort of hoist.

 

[MaryB]

I went traditional 3 vessel all gravity flow so no pumps to clean/harbor bacterial nasties. Stand was $50 in materials and paint(base was an old A/V stand I got for $5 at an auction, I added the uprights and left extension using unirail), total cost of everything $600... and I do 10 gallon batches.

 

[Horseflesh]

I recently went from the usual starter AG system, Igloo coolers + propane-powered kettle, to a 240V BIAB system. I've never used a 3 vessel system but I really like my one-pot electric rig. No regrets! I don't miss gas at all.

 

[ZmannR2]

Thanks a lot for the posts guys! I think I'm going to take my time and continue to research more about what to do. The natural gas drop in BTU's is alarming. That really dampens my urge to have all gas set up. I'm freaking sick of propane bottles

 

[passedpawn]

Electric is nice. Really nice. I started brewing over propane an eternity ago and, after an "aha" moment in 2009, built an electric system. It's the tops. If you have that option, I think you should. 240V 30A is future proof.

 

[ZmannR2]

Bought the High Gravity eBIAB set up......stoked!

 

[2doorsdown]

I started out with a 3 vessel gravity system, but the 5 hour brew days were not in my schedule and setup/ tear down was making me not want to brew. Sold my keggles and enourmous Coleman cooler, chopped up the gravity stand I had for other projects and picked up a 15 gal stainless kettle. I can do no chill biab brew days in the garage or patio for 1.050 5 gal batches in 3 hours, slightly longer for higher abv ipas and stouts. I can still do lower gravity 10 gal batches in about the same amount of time (My version of Biermunchers Centnnial blonde 4.7%)

 

[brick_haus]

Bought the High Gravity eBIAB set up......stoked!

Congrats on the new baby! Any Pictures?

 

[kh54s10]

Post some pictures when you get it up and running.

 

[ZmannR2]

She comes in tomorrow!! I spent all day yesterday reconfiguring my garage and running a 240V outlet as you can see in the pic. To the left of my new stainless table that my pot will sit on. You can see the cable coming down thru the Coors light neon.....Also mounted a pulley.