Upgrades with $500 budget - Suggestions welcome!

[GreenDragon]

Okay so I got approval from the wife to spend some extra funds we got recently. I have a very strict $500 limit (including tax, shipping, etc).

What I currently have:
Polarware 10 gallon pot with weldless fitting, spigot, and temp gage.
SP-10 propane burner
Magnetic Stir Plate
Igloo 10 gallon MLT (the DIY one with the braided SS hose)
Spare Generic 5 and 10 gallon pots
Tubing for everything
2 tap keggarator
Temp Controled Fermentation Chamber
Fish tank pump aeration system
Standard Issue Copper Wort Chiller (works great on 5 gallon batches)
Various sized and material carboys (6.5 & 5 gallon, PET, Glass, and bucket)
Misc required small stuff (hydro, tubing, paddle, etc)

Current Plans:
Rebel Grain Mill
March Pump
Sparge arm for MLT
Direct O2 setup with diffusion stone

The grain mill is not optional. I need one badly. My local brew club does mass grain buys and I'd love to start participating in that.

The pump and arm are just to make brew day easier. I'm tired of slowly pouring pitcher after pitcher of wort against the MLT wall.

The O2 setup is to cut down my time. Right now I run the fish tank for around 30 minutes. The O2 system says you only need to run it for about 40 seconds.

Anything I'm missing? Anything you would replace?

 

[cheezydemon3]

Nothing saves time like fermenting in kegs. Have at least 6?

 

[jhall4]

If your mash tun only has a braided SS filter you're going to need a false bottom to really take advantage of a sparge arm and do fly sparges...

 

[cooper]

Nothing saves time like fermenting in kegs. Have at least 6?

Do you do primary fermentation in the kegs or just secondary? I do all the lagers in the keg for the secondary.

 

[cooper]

If your mash tun only has a braided SS filter you're going to need a false bottom to really take advantage of a sparge arm and do fly sparges...

Is there a trick to making the false bottoms for the Rubbermaid cooler work? I'm still using the braid and want to move to the false bottom, but I've been reading a lot of reviews where people are saying don't waste your time. How has it been going with yours?

 

[bad67z]

I don't see a method of chilling listed in your equipment inventory.

 

[GreenDragon]

I don't see a method of chilling listed in your equipment inventory.

I have one I just accidentally left it off. Thanks for the catch, I added it.

 

[bad67z]

Are 5 gallon batches sufficient or are you looking to increase your thru put in the near future?

 

[GreenDragon]

Are 5 gallon batches sufficient or are you looking to increase your thru put in the near future?

I tried a 10 gallon batch (I also own a few keggles). Without a brew stand, 10 gallon batches SUCK!! I'm fine with doing 5 gallon batches for the next few years.

 

[AnchorBock]

If you're already getting a pump you could look into some whirlpool fittings. I noticed a significant improvement in my beers after getting an O2 tank/regulator (Williams Brewing with the stainless rod) so I'd leave that on your list of must haves.

 

[sidepart]

Dang...if I had a $500 budget, I wouldn't only be able to get to where you currently are. I'd probably grab a grain mill for sure. My LHBS's can't adjust the grit, and I hear tell they do a default average grind which gives a so-so efficiency.

Maybe save it until you get a bigger budget? Then get a conical? I can't imagine what else I'd grab that that point. I'd probably just start investing in the brew "kitchen" (sinks, lab equipment, racks, flooring, boiler, reclining leather chairs, plasma tv).

 

[cheezydemon3]

Do you do primary fermentation in the kegs or just secondary? I do all the lagers in the keg for the secondary.

Primary. I would secondary in them if I did secondary.

Primary filtered lightly to serving vessel.

 

[daksin]

I'd get a pump and plate chiller. If needed, you can make your IC into a prechiller for extra cooling awesomeness.

 

[jhall4]

Is there a trick to making the false bottoms for the Rubbermaid cooler work? I'm still using the braid and want to move to the false bottom, but I've been reading a lot of reviews where people are saying don't waste your time. How has it been going with yours?

No trick really. As long as it's properly fitted into the tank the grain will hold it down and do all the work for you. If you're getting a gap around the edges, just take some high temp tubing, cut it open along one side to make a gasket, and fit it around the FB - should seal up nice and tight!

I'm planning a new build soon (next 1-2 months) with a 10 gallon rubbermaid MLT. While planning I went back and forth between building a manifold and just getting a false bottom and I ultimately decided on the false bottom. Just less risk of channeling.

That said, I guess I'll go back on my original post and say that a sufficiently long braid might be adequate for a fly sparge but it's kinda risky, imo. At the very least you want a manifold if not FB.

 

[GreenDragon]

Primary. I would secondary in them if I did secondary.

Primary filtered lightly to serving vessel.

So you use one of those keg to keg filters? Is there a model you suggest?

I'd love to start fermenting in kegs. Carboys are a PIA.

 

[cheezydemon3]

So you use one of those keg to keg filters? Is there a model you suggest?

I'd love to start fermenting in kegs. Carboys are a PIA.

So far filter not perfected. I have a water filter that I fill slowly. It is a pain. I am still working on it.

 

[cooper]

No trick really. As long as it's properly fitted into the tank the grain will hold it down and do all the work for you. If you're getting a gap around the edges, just take some high temp tubing, cut it open along one side to make a gasket, and fit it around the FB - should seal up nice and tight!

I'm planning a new build soon (next 1-2 months) with a 10 gallon rubbermaid MLT. While planning I went back and forth between building a manifold and just getting a false bottom and I ultimately decided on the false bottom. Just less risk of channeling.

That said, I guess I'll go back on my original post and say that a sufficiently long braid might be adequate for a fly sparge but it's kinda risky, imo. At the very least you want a manifold if not FB.

Thanks for the awesome tip! I'll give that a go if I have issues when I get a false bottom.