Oof...going to go all-grain

[fRed Scare]

I've done quite a few extract batches, and have the full setup for that. What will I need to change out/build to go all-grain?

I'm going to build the same brew kettle that Howard did.  Howard, any advice on that one?  Should I go bigger?

[Tip Top]

You'll need to buy/build a mash tun as well.

[howardf]

Skip the thermometer, it was way off.  I wish my pot was just slightly bigger, because I'm frequently near the lip when my boil starts.  Building a mash tun is easy and should be under $100 for a manifold setup like I made.

[fRed Scare]

You'll need to buy/build a mash tun as well.

Building a mash tun is easy and should be under $100 for a manifold setup like I made.

Link?  Any lessons learned from when you did it?

[rhoadsrage]

You'll need to buy/build a mash tun as well.

Building a mash tun is easy and should be under $100 for a manifold setup like I made.

Link?  Any lessons learned from when you did it?

Homebrewtalk.com is pretty helpful.  Just search for your specific questions and the stickies in going A.G. is a good jump-off.  If you want to get started right away, the brew in a bag is not equipment intensive. 
Something like this.
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/entries/one-vessel-all-grain-brewing-system.html
 

[howardf]

You'll need to buy/build a mash tun as well.

Building a mash tun is easy and should be under $100 for a manifold setup like I made.

Link?  Any lessons learned from when you did it?

I didn't document any of it, but I'll run through it quickly.  I got a 10 gallon cooler from Lowe's.  Took the spigot off by unscrewing the nut on the inside of the cooler, kept the gasket.  Got one of these that was even shorter, it was just threaded ends with no smooth pipe in the middle.  1/2"



Also, a ball valve, (2) 1/2" nipples (one male, one female), some washers, and a rubber o-ring.

Male nipple->ball valve->pipe->gasket->cooler->o-ring->washer(s)->female nipple

From there I used press fit copper pieces and bought some straight copper plumbing pipe and made something that looks like this

Code: [Select]

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--T--
I cut all the copper to length so it fits snuggly in the bottom of the cooler, and used a couple inch piece of high temp tubing to connect the T at the bottom to the inside nipple.  I think took a dremmel and slotted all of the long pieces of copper.  I put all of the pieces together on brew day, put it in my mash tun, then feel the underneath to make sure the slots are pointing down.  Throw the grain in, add water, stir, mash out, then take it all apart for cleaning.

[Jaysus]

Fly or Batch sparge?

Turkey fryer?

[fRed Scare]

Fly or Batch sparge?

Turkey fryer?

Probably a turkey fryer. 

I don't know what language your other question is in.
Benefits/drawbacks to each?

[braconid]

Batch sparge is where you drain your first runnings off the mash, add hot sparge water (one or two more times), stir and drain those runnings.  Fly sparging is where you have hot sparge water trickling over top of the grains the whole time you slowly drain the wort off the grain bed.  Fly sparging is supposed to give better efficiency, but it takes an hour or more to do it properly.  Batch sparging is supposed to give lower efficiency but it is faster.  Most everyone here is a batch sparger from what I can gather. 

[fRed Scare]

Batch sparge is where you drain your first runnings off the mash, add hot sparge water (one or two more times), stir and drain those runnings.  Fly sparging is where you have hot sparge water trickling over top of the grains the whole time you slowly drain the wort off the grain bed.  Fly sparging is supposed to give better efficiency, but it takes an hour or more to do it properly.  Batch sparging is supposed to give lower efficiency but it is faster.  Most everyone here is a batch sparger from what I can gather. 

Batch it is. If it's good enough for you guys, it's good enough for me. I've tasted a lot of the beers you guys brew, and if I ever get to that level I will consider myself very lucky. 

[fRed Scare]

Skip the thermometer, it was way off.  I wish my pot was just slightly bigger, because I'm frequently near the lip when my boil starts.  Building a mash tun is easy and should be under $100 for a manifold setup like I made.

$70 for that pot seem like a decent price?

http://www.amazon.com/Vasconia-32-Quart-Aluminum-Steamer-Lid/dp/B00194DVJI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I'm leery of buying something that's used. I take that back.  Looks like a cosmetically damaged box.  w00t.

[Tip Top]

Skip the thermometer, it was way off.  I wish my pot was just slightly bigger, because I'm frequently near the lip when my boil starts.  Building a mash tun is easy and should be under $100 for a manifold setup like I made.

$70 for that pot seem like a decent price?

http://www.amazon.com/Vasconia-32-Quart-Aluminum-Steamer-Lid/dp/B00194DVJI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I'm leery of buying something that's used. I take that back.  Looks like a cosmetically damaged box.  w00t.

Note that there is a big aluminum vs. stainless steel argument.  I have an aluminum pot and haven't had any issues, but you have to be careful once you "condition" the pot not to scratch the film on the pot or you have to condition it again (boil water in it for a while).

[fRed Scare]

you have to be careful once you "condition" the pot not to scratch the film on the pot or you have to condition it again (boil water in it for a while).

Pretend I don't know what this means.  Is it something I can find reference to on Homebrewtalk?

[howardf]

Skip the thermometer, it was way off.  I wish my pot was just slightly bigger, because I'm frequently near the lip when my boil starts.  Building a mash tun is easy and should be under $100 for a manifold setup like I made.

$70 for that pot seem like a decent price?

http://www.amazon.com/Vasconia-32-Quart-Aluminum-Steamer-Lid/dp/B00194DVJI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I'm leery of buying something that's used. I take that back.  Looks like a cosmetically damaged box.  w00t.

I checked my Amazon purchase history and got that same pot for $38.99 with prime shipping.

[howardf]

you have to be careful once you "condition" the pot not to scratch the film on the pot or you have to condition it again (boil water in it for a while).

Pretend I don't know what this means.  Is it something I can find reference to on Homebrewtalk?

Fill it with water and boil for 10-20 minutes.

[fRed Scare]

you have to be careful once you "condition" the pot not to scratch the film on the pot or you have to condition it again (boil water in it for a while).

Pretend I don't know what this means.  Is it something I can find reference to on Homebrewtalk?

Fill it with water and boil for 10-20 minutes.

This is the kind of shit I can handle.  #RealTalk

[fRed Scare]

Reading through some of your threads, I realize that I know very little about the nomenclature of brewing.  Gonna need to do some studying before diving into this headlong. 

Shopping list is nearly done, though.  Couple of DIY projects to set up the kettle and mash tun, and hopefully by then I'll be ready to really spend some money!

[Jaysus]

8 gallon kettle is no where near big enough.  For 5 gallon batches, you want at least 10 gallons, especially if you are buying a new one. You want at least one valve in the kettle (to drain it). Keep an eye on this guys site, he often posts dented or dinged kettle for cheap: http://spikebrewing.com/collections/10-gallon-stainless-kettles  He is a HBT member.

Aluminum vs SS?  Go with SS if you can, but I used an enamel crab pot for years with no concerns. Aluminum is fine if you read up on it first.

You definitely want a turkey fryer of some sort, while more than vague, my question was intended to ask if you already had one.  Note: make sure your kettle fits on it. 

This is great, Denny rules: http://hbd.org/cascade/dennybrew/

I brew about as cheaply as possible, so if you are worried about costs, I may be able to share some ideas to save a few bucks here and there.

[Jaysus]

P.S. this seems stupid cheap: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/art/4109794895.html

[Jaysus]

PS2: you could easily add a weldless valve to this cheapo kettle: http://baltimore.craigslist.org/hsh/4062532736.html


Weldless valve: http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=91

[braconid]

PS2: you could easily add a weldless valve to this cheapo kettle: http://baltimore.craigslist.org/hsh/4062532736.html


Weldless valve: http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=91

Shit, I would buy that thing if I could get it to my house.

[Jaysus]

PS2: you could easily add a weldless valve to this cheapo kettle: http://baltimore.craigslist.org/hsh/4062532736.html


Weldless valve: http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=91

The more I think about this, the more I think you should jump all over that kettle, even if you wind up using something else, $20 is great for a second pot.  Pretty sure I'd grab it if I was close.

New one with some reviews: http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/brewing/brewing-equipment/brew-kettles/polar-ware-kettles/polar-ware-10-5-gallon-economy-kettle.html

Another: http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Ware-Stainless-Steel-Homebrewing/dp/B007TV22Q8

[JJ]

PS2: you could easily add a weldless valve to this cheapo kettle: http://baltimore.craigslist.org/hsh/4062532736.html


Weldless valve: http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=91

Shit, I would buy that thing if I could get it to my house.

You can't fit a 42 quart pot into your house?

[braconid]

PS2: you could easily add a weldless valve to this cheapo kettle: http://baltimore.craigslist.org/hsh/4062532736.html


Weldless valve: http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=91

Shit, I would buy that thing if I could get it to my house.

You can't fit a 42 quart pot into your house?

I need a guest house.

[fRed Scare]

PS2: you could easily add a weldless valve to this cheapo kettle: http://baltimore.craigslist.org/hsh/4062532736.html


Weldless valve: http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=91

The more I think about this, the more I think you should jump all over that kettle, even if you wind up using something else, $20 is great for a second pot.  Pretty sure I'd grab it if I was close.

New one with some reviews: http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/brewing/brewing-equipment/brew-kettles/polar-ware-kettles/polar-ware-10-5-gallon-economy-kettle.html

Another: http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Ware-Stainless-Steel-Homebrewing/dp/B007TV22Q8

Email sent.

[Jaysus]

[fRed Scare]

Also found a 12-gallon stainless pot that I'm trying to get for $50.

[Jaysus]

update?