Posted: 6/21/2023 11:16:05 AM EDT
|
Just got back into homebrewing recently after a 10 year hiatus. Replaced the lines in my kegerator, cleaned the kegs, and brewed 2 batches (and made an apple cider) to fill them. My current setup is for extract brewing with specialty grains mashed in bag. I'd like to step up to all grain and the simplicity of BIAB appeals to me. Seems like BIAB is the same process that I am already doing (with steeping the bag of specialty grains) on a larger scale. I'm torn between getting a 15 gallon brew pot, bag, and propane burner vs an electric all-in-one system with malt tube. Both are appealing for different reasons. For ultimate simplicity (which I really like), the bag in a giant pot seems like the way to go. On the other hand, the all-in-one is more convenient for storage and just plugging into a wall outlet. Considering the lesser expensive systems like the Brewzilla 3.1.1 or the Anvil Foundry; limited to 110V, so I know that it will be slower than propane. Any opinions? |
|
No law says you have to do it all in one big bag. I think I'd rather split the grains up into a few small bags than one big one. But yeah, it looks fine. I've never done an all grain brew. All I ever did was mini-mash. |
Never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be. - Adm James Stockdale
Joined:
Dec 2022
Posts:
119
EE: 100% (42)
SC, USA
|
I bet you could kludge something together like this to thermostatically control a propane burner for a small fraction of the cost https://www.supplyhouse.com/Rheem-SP20170B-Natural-Gas-Combo-Control-Kit?utm_source=google_ad&utm_medium=shopping_neutral&utm_campaign=Shopping_Neutral_New_users&gclid=CjwKCAjw-vmkBhBMEiwAlrMeF84IOGiSmmajOYGQV8_7zCMb5-Y36MsJtTs8keQJseRLuKv-pf6EmRoCTTAQAvD_BwE |
Never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be. - Adm James Stockdale
|
I'll wrap the kettle with reflectix or a yoga mat while mashing. It shouldn't lose but a few of degrees over 30-45 minutes. With a fine crush, it doesn't need a full hour. Even if temp drops more than expected, I'm not going to lose sleep over it. The beer will still be fine. I'm pretty laid back when it comes to brewing. I don't even measure gravity anymore. |
|
Today I did my first brew with a grain/malt basket, instead of a bag. It was a game changer for me. I'll never go back to a bag. Being able to lift the basket and suspend it on hooks while it drains was awesome. I'm not sure I'll stick with my current hodge-podge setup or move over to electric all-in-one. I'm inclined to go electric but I'll make that decision further down the road. |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
| My Basket and kettle weren't designed together so fit isn't perfect, but I brew small, 2.5 or 3 gallon batches and I now know it will handle at least 9 pounds of grain. It seems flimsy, so I'll see how it holds up. |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
|
Originally Posted By frankiebagadonuts: Just got back into homebrewing recently after a 10 year hiatus. Replaced the lines in my kegerator, cleaned the kegs, and brewed 2 batches (and made an apple cider) to fill them. My current setup is for extract brewing with specialty grains mashed in bag. I'd like to step up to all grain and the simplicity of BIAB appeals to me. Seems like BIAB is the same process that I am already doing (with steeping the bag of specialty grains) on a larger scale. I'm torn between getting a 15 gallon brew pot, bag, and propane burner vs an electric all-in-one system with malt tube. Both are appealing for different reasons. For ultimate simplicity (which I really like), the bag in a giant pot seems like the way to go. On the other hand, the all-in-one is more convenient for storage and just plugging into a wall outlet. Considering the lesser expensive systems like the Brewzilla 3.1.1 or the Anvil Foundry; limited to 110V, so I know that it will be slower than propane. Any opinions? I'd go electric all in one. Since it's been a year I'm curious about what you picked and why. |
|
Originally Posted By frankiebagadonuts: Just got back into homebrewing recently after a 10 year hiatus. Replaced the lines in my kegerator, cleaned the kegs, and brewed 2 batches (and made an apple cider) to fill them. My current setup is for extract brewing with specialty grains mashed in bag. I'd like to step up to all grain and the simplicity of BIAB appeals to me. Seems like BIAB is the same process that I am already doing (with steeping the bag of specialty grains) on a larger scale. I'm torn between getting a 15 gallon brew pot, bag, and propane burner vs an electric all-in-one system with malt tube. Both are appealing for different reasons. For ultimate simplicity (which I really like), the bag in a giant pot seems like the way to go. On the other hand, the all-in-one is more convenient for storage and just plugging into a wall outlet. Considering the lesser expensive systems like the Brewzilla 3.1.1 or the Anvil Foundry; limited to 110V, so I know that it will be slower than propane. Any opinions? This is a tough choice. Both have pros and cons. If you were going 220V, I'd say once you go electric you never go back. But 110V is a big limitation. Propane pros: faster, easily to do larger batches. Propane cons: easy to scorch bag, need more equipment then expected (false bottom, propane tanks, burner), can only do outside or in garage, dangerous leave unattended. All in one pros: built in pump, no bag needed (basket included), set and forget (let you do other thing when brewing), built in temp gauges, can brew inside, smaller foot print. All in one cons: with more included more things to break during brew day, batch size limited, slower at 110V, could cost more depending. If you have a local brew club or brew shop. See if someone will let you watch them run their electric setup. |
| I was considering this as well recently after being away from brewing for 10+ years. I was looking around on Facebook and found a digiboil with digimash upgrade with pump, 2 carboys 2 kegs and some other misc stuff for $300 so I picked that up. Then since I have a burner am planning to get another propane setup with everything but the burner for $100 (biab). Then I will have flexibility depending on what I want to do. There is a unibrau setup that I have my eye on as well but it's a ways away from me for me to go get. |