Would you?

[wolverinebrewer]

I will stand in defense for malt extract until the cows come home. For the OP, just because its all grain doesn't mean its better. It potentially means there are more ways to mess it up, especially if you don't know what you are doing.[/QUOTE]

Wow, there's a vote of confidence! OP, don't let that get you down, it is easy!!
I did a few extract brews but was bored of the simpleness. I needed to step it up with a new challenge and I will never go back. Make that mash tun and chiller and get on with it. One thing I would suggest is to read everything you can. I have done 2 AG batches and both were to perfection and it all came down to spending a lot of time learning and planning.

Plus, there is nothing like the smell of a tun full of soaking hot barley!!:rockin:

 

[astropunk]

LOL!! No worries, that wont let me down. I already had my mind made up that I am going to try all grain...I just needed a little more rah-rah and assurance, which I got plenty of!

And In no way am I hinting that AG is better than extract. I just want the full experience and satisfaction! The longer the whole process takes, the better!

Gonna get my cooler and stuff this week, and order my grains tonight! With any luck I will be brewing by Sunday :rockin:

 

[SwampassJ]

Plus, there is nothing like the smell of a tun full of soaking hot barley!!:rockin:

Or discovering it two days later in high heat and humidity still in said cooler. Worst vomit smell imaginable.

 

[wolverinebrewer]

Gonna get my cooler and stuff this week, and order my grains tonight! With any luck I will be brewing by Sunday :rockin:

What cooler set-up are you going with: rectangle or round, manifold or stainless braid? I made mine back in Dec. I followed Keith Brown on youtube but used cpvc and made two cross pieces. Works wonderful.

Good luck it's a blast.

 

[EricT]

Do It! My first AG batch was BM's Centennial Blonde. I did a BIAB. It's a relatively light grain bill and is pretty forgiving. Stouts are pretty easy to do AG as well. Actually Ed Worts house Pale ale was easy too. Yah man just do it, once the hour of mashing is over and your sparge is over, you collect all your runnings and the rest of the process is the same. Also theres some good videos out there if you want to see it first. (I did)

 

[brewmadness]

I read through a lot of these threads and I see it all the time. "I will go all grain when I have more room". "I will go all grain when I can purchase all the extra equipment". I am very new to all of this as well but have read a lot and watched tons of videos from more experienced brewers doing everthing from extract brewing to all grain with full three burners systems with pumps everything. But I've come to the conclusions that
1. all graing brewing isn't that much more difficult than extract brewing, it's more understanding what the ingredients you put into it are going to contribute to your brew.
2. you can make the switch to all grain without a huge investment in equipment. a converted cooler and a diy wort chiller aren't going to break the bank.

I definately plan to go all grain....in small steps. and not going to build a full blown system. not necessary. it is what you want to make it.
Happy brewing!

 

[cuttsjp]

I think Don Osborn's YouTube video on cooler batch sparge all-grain brewing is excellent. Really puts it into real terms for people. It made me make the switch from over-complicated monitored brewpot and zap-zap lautering techniques to doing much more convenient cooler batches.

You can watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/donosborn#p/c/889C3A598247F3E5/0/JMHLqnWCNjE

 

[Mongrel]

Or discovering it two days later in high heat and humidity still in said cooler. Worst vomit smell imaginable.

this is why a blend up and freeze a couple of cups worth of grains for bread, and then empty the cooler every brew day.

 

[emetcalf]

My first batch ever (~2 weeks ago) was all-grain and I enjoyed every minute of it. It wasn't a perfect brewday, but I don't think I messed anything up too bad. I did A LOT of reading and research before I even bought anything so I felt completely comfortable with the whole process my first time. You should read as much as you can and if you feel like you can do it, then go for it.

 

[rycov]

Plus, there is nothing like the smell of a tun full of soaking hot barley!!:rockin:

YES!!:rockin:

 

[rycov]

Or discovering it two days later in high heat and humidity still in said cooler. Worst vomit smell imaginable.

also yes, but less excitement

 

[astropunk]

Woohoo!! Im rockin and rollin now! :rockin:

I got *most* of the parts needed for my MLT cooler. I just have to run back and pick up a couple washers to make up the gap between the ball valve and cooler walls, and then cut the slots in the manifold.

I went with the cpvc manifold over the braided hose. It was cheaper, and I thought the manifold would stay in place better while mashing. Plus its easy to take apart and clean.

I also bought a 50ft coil of copper and made a chiller. Dang, copper is STOOPID expensive! It cost $45, well over half my total cost of everything (I already had a spare cooler)

So, only thing I need now is my grain...but its looking less and less likely to arrive by this weekend, as I haven't received a shipping confirmation yet

 

[EricT]

Woohoo!! Im rockin and rollin now! :rockin:

I got *most* of the parts needed for my MLT cooler. I just have to run back and pick up a couple washers to make up the gap between the ball valve and cooler walls, and then cut the slots in the manifold.

I went with the cpvc manifold over the braided hose. It was cheaper, and I thought the manifold would stay in place better while mashing. Plus its easy to take apart and clean.

I also bought a 50ft coil of copper and made a chiller. Dang, copper is STOOPID expensive! It cost $45, well over half my total cost of everything (I already had a spare cooler)

So, only thing I need now is my grain...but its looking less and less likely to arrive by this weekend, as I haven't received a shipping confirmation yet

My first manifold was 1/2" copper with notches cut every 1/2 inch. After 3 stuck sparges I decided to throw a braided hose in its place and I havent taken it out. However many people have no problem with CPVC or copper as long as you add some some very hot water to your mash just before you sparge, you should be good to go. I have to admit, the copper looked better

 

[Golddiggie]

Going to the LHBS this afternoon to see if we can get the hardware fitted for my 70 quart cooler to make it a MLT (good to have options)... I talked with the guy last week and he thought that they would have what was needed to do the job. It didn't work last time due to the cooler walls being thicker than the valve assembly they have would work with. So if we can get it together, I'll be able to do either BIAB or use an MLT... Since both brew pots have 1/2" ball valves in them now, either option is viable.

As for grain, I pick up mine THIS afternoon... :rockin: BC arrives on Friday... Planning to mill some grain for a brew day on Saturday... :rockin:

 

[JacksSpleen]

You'll love it, I was in the same boat a few weeks ago. 1 extract batch in the fermenter and AG on my mind. I went for it and did my first AG batch last weekend! There were many more steps but in a good way. Good luck on getting your MLT together I'm sure you wont regret it.

 

[EricT]

HAHA,, I just picked up my grain today for a pale ale I am making tomorrow, I still get excited the night before brew day. Good luck on our first AG