New All-Grain Brewer
Hi everyone!
I have been brewing 5 gallon extract beers periodically over the last couple of years. I am interested in transitioning to all-grain brewing and increasing the frquency of my brewing so I want to ask you experts for tips and your opinions.
I have been doing a lot of research on the internet but I think all-in-all this has just raised more questions for me.
I don't have an endless supply of money to just go out and buy a complete top of the line brewing system so I'm looking for inexpensive yet quality ways to upgrade my brewing operation.
Some of my basic questions are:
What does everyone use as a hot liquor tank?
What does everyone use as a mash tun?
How big of a hot liquor tank do I need?
How big of a brew pot do I need?
I should add that I am also considering doing batches bigger than 5 gallons.
Any input that you guys might have would be greatly appreciated.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Robert Dodge on -
So of the people using keggles how many of you converted your own or did you buy them already converted?
I have located some empty keg shells and I am thinking about converting them myself versus paying out a couple of hundred bucks.
Again, I've researched this and watched the videos of others converting them and it doesn't look that difficult.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Beswick on -
I use converted kegs and love them. If you have access to a plasma cutter, it makes the conversion job a walk in the park.
On a separate note, I am considering selling my all-grain rig. It's a pretty nice setup. If you were at the brewout this past Saturday, I had it there. I'm thinking of selling the complete operation for about $1500. I have some pictures on my page if you want to see it.
Robert Dodge said:So of the people using keggles how many of you converted your own or did you buy them already converted?
I have located some empty keg shells and I am thinking about converting them myself versus paying out a couple of hundred bucks.
Again, I've researched this and watched the videos of others converting them and it doesn't look that difficult.
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Permalink Reply by Robert Dodge on
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I just picked up my first keg a couple of days ago and I am picking up two more tomorrow so I will have 3 empty kegs. Ready to begin converting to keggles!
I know I need to put a false bottom in the mash tun, do you guys recommend putting one in the HLT and/or the brew pot?
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Permalink Reply by Robert Dodge on
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Chris,
Do you have a burner under your mash tun since it is a keggle?
Do you experience a lot of heat loss or does the keggle hold the temperature fairly well. I know thaey say the coolers hold the temps real well but I haven't heard much about the keggles.
Chris Beswick said:I use converted kegs and love them. If you have access to a plasma cutter, it makes the conversion job a walk in the park.
On a separate note, I am considering selling my all-grain rig. It's a pretty nice setup. If you were at the brewout this past Saturday, I had it there. I'm thinking of selling the complete operation for about $1500. I have some pictures on my page if you want to see it.
Robert Dodge said:So of the people using keggles how many of you converted your own or did you buy them already converted?
I have located some empty keg shells and I am thinking about converting them myself versus paying out a couple of hundred bucks.
Again, I've researched this and watched the videos of others converting them and it doesn't look that difficult.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Beswick on
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I do. In a one-hour mash, I may have to fire it up once or twice in the last 30 minutes or so. I highly recommend recirculating your mash when you have the heat on in order to prevent scalding and to have more even heating. In my first system, which was a gravity system, I just ran it into a pitcher and poured it back on top. Now I have a recirculating pump.
By the way, there is no need for a false bottom in your HLT or your boil pot. The false bottom simply keeps your grain bed from fouling your pick-up tube and to prevent scorching if you heat your mash tun. The hot break in your boil pot would go right through a false bottom. I simply keep my pickup tube about one inch above the bottom center and I have no issues.
Robert Dodge said:Chris,
Do you have a burner under your mash tun since it is a keggle?
Do you experience a lot of heat loss or does the keggle hold the temperature fairly well. I know thaey say the coolers hold the temps real well but I haven't heard much about the keggles.
Chris Beswick said:I use converted kegs and love them. If you have access to a plasma cutter, it makes the conversion job a walk in the park.
On a separate note, I am considering selling my all-grain rig. It's a pretty nice setup. If you were at the brewout this past Saturday, I had it there. I'm thinking of selling the complete operation for about $1500. I have some pictures on my page if you want to see it.
Robert Dodge said:So of the people using keggles how many of you converted your own or did you buy them already converted?
I have located some empty keg shells and I am thinking about converting them myself versus paying out a couple of hundred bucks.
Again, I've researched this and watched the videos of others converting them and it doesn't look that difficult.
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