Complete Joy of Homebrewing Bookhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060531053/ref=oss_product
Do I need an 8 gallon brew pot? I’m guessing for now I can use the 5 gallon and something else, but wondering if it’s worth getting a bigger one now. Just a plain one or something with a valve?
Also, I plan to do 5 gallon batches. Will the two 5 gallon rubbermaid coolers and conversion kit be fine for that? I’m still learning so not sure if it’s better to get two 10 gallon coolers or if that extra space is needed for doing 5 gallon batches? Also, if that is so, guessing the conversion kit which states for 5 gallons may not work?
I would suggest going with the bigger boil kettle (8 gal is good, 10 gal + is better). I routinely collect 7 gals of wort for a 5 gal batch for a 60 min boil. I have a 7.5 gal kettle and have to carefully watch the boil and feather the burner to prevent boil overs.
Thanks, that’s helpful to know. I’ll probably go for the 10 gallon then. I guess I’m confused on the process. I see a lot of methods online which all follow the basics but are done slightly differently depending on the equipment.
So, if I get the 10 gallon pot, I can start with that and then have the two 5 gallon coolers which act as a hot liquid tank and mash tun. Thinking that may be a problem, correct? Should I take those back and get 10 gallon ones instead? If so, that may be a problem with the conversion kit I got from Austin Brewing which says for 5 gallon. Austin Homebrewing & Winemaking Supplies
I’m confused. I know I sound like a complete newbie and I am. Thanks in advance for any help.
Well, since it looks like you’re throwing money around like candy, you must be independently wealthy :). The five gallon pot is too small for a brew kettle so definitely go for a ten gallon. You’ll be glad you did.
Wish I had money to throw around like candy If I’m doing this all wrong, I’d love the input. I thought the two coolers and conversion kit were the less costly option. Excuse my ignorance here. First time moving to all grain and the kit from before was always quite simple. I’d like to get what is needed, but not break the bank. I don’t mind spending to get something decent. But, being a beginner, I don’t need to go top of the line or anywhere close.
For a 5 gallon batch, a 10 gallon brew kettle is probably definitely best.
~~The 5 gallon coolers should also be fine for all grain 5 gallon batches, it depends on what mash technique you plan to use. The only thing that cooler would be too small for (I think) is a single infusion no sparge mash. ~~
Ignore this paragraph, see my next post for why.
Ok, after thinking on this one for a bit… let me quote John Palmer- " I often use a 15 gallon pot for mashing a five gallon batch."
He also reccomends using more water than some other homebrew gurus. So if you have Palmer’s book (get it if you don’t) and plan on following his guidelines on mashing, you will probably need to get a 10gallon cooler. I’ve been using a 10gal igloo (5-8 gallon batches) for a while and never had a problem with volume. I use Palmer’s book extensively when writing a recipe.
For a typical Americal Ale that you want to end up around 5%ABV your grain bill will be somehwere around 12-15lb. So if you end up with a 12lb grain bill and use 1.5qt/lb, it might be hard to fit 12lb of grain and 4.5gallons of water in a 5gallon cooler.
Get a 10gallon cooler, or bigger. You can get a conversion kit and coupling from bargainfittings.com for any round 10gallon cooler (different one for igloo and rubbermaid, igloo has a thin wall so a weldless kettle ball valve works), and a bazooka screen from several online brewshops or maybe your local homebrew store. If you want to use a less expensive square cooler there are several online homebrew stores that sell full kits to convert them to mash tuns.
You definitely want the biggest boil kettle you can afford. The extra space never hurts. I use a 10-gallon for 6-gallon batches and it’s just right. You can probably use that 5-gallon pot for your hot liquor tank. A bigger cooler is also probably in order. Here’s a couple sites you should check out: http://hbd.org/cascade/dennybrew/ and http://brewing.lustreking.com/gear/mashtun.html
Great advice! Wish I came here and posted before I started buying things. I can take back the two 5 gallon coolers and switch those to 10 gallon, but I’ve already ordered the conversion kit from Austin Homebrew. So, I’ll check into sending that back and trying one of the custom methods posted. Also, sounds like the bigger the pot the better. So, guessing that anywhere from 10 to 20 gallons would be best.
Great link on the 80qt kettles. I haven’t seen them that inexpensive for something that looks like decent quality. Probably get something from that site. Whether aluminum or stainless steel, I don’t know what the difference is than cost. Guess steel would be stronger. Any reason to not go with aluminum?
Aluminum vs Stainless is sort of a timeless argument but it basically comes down to your personal preference.
Aluminum: Cheaper and lighter. Transfers heat faster (which can be a plus and a minus). Needs to be “seasoned” and therefore you need to be a little more careful cleaning it.
Stainless: Expensive but more durable. For best heat transfer get one with the “sandwich” bottom (layer of stainless, layer of aluminum, layer of stainless). You can go to town cleaning it without risk of hurting anything.
Whichever you choose, get a good quality one of at least 10 gallons. Be wary of the ones that come with the turkey fryer kits as they (aluminum or stainless) tend to be really thin and therefore easy to ding and dent.
Here is a good link for pros and cons of the “disputes” of brewing. About half way down the page it list the pros and cons of stainless steel, enamel, and aluminum pots.
Making equipment purchases for going All-Grain can be intimidating. I admit I had a little case of the “analysis paralysis” before making the leap from Extract and Partial Grain batches, but I’m glad I did. I’m sure you’ll feel the same way once you get past the cost concerns. My recommendation is to definitely get a boil kettle that is 2x larger than your “batch size.” So get a 20 gallon SS kettle. You can do a 5 gallon batch or a 10 gallon batch with no worries about a boilover (no messes, no waste). Just get a banjo burner and propane tanks (2 or 3 full ones so you have no fear of running out during a brew day), and you’re golden. I’ve also got the 10 gallon round igloo coolers (x 2). But, I’m seriously considering switching to the rectangular coolers for mashing as there’s less grain bed compaction. You may want to give the rectangular mashtuns a shot and build your own manifold (denny braid or manifold or bazooka screen–they all work).
Great info and links, thanks for sharing. Sounds like the 20 gallon SS pot is the way to go. I should receive the conversion kit by tomorrow so I’ll see if that can be returned or if it will work with the two 10 gallon coolers. It’s meant for the round ones so I don’t have the option for the rectangular ones unless I can return that kit.
A couple other questions…
My local home brew shop ground the grain for my this weekend. I thought I’d have the equipment together sooner but it’s taking time. Is it okay to leave time between grinding it and using it?
I didn’t realize my liquid yeast was in the box, thought I had put in the fridge already, but just found it tonight. It’s expanded and I just threw it in the fridge. It’s been 1.5 days out in room temp. Is it usable? How long? I saw a kit on williams brewing for yeast starter or a stir starter - http://www.williamsbrewing.com/YEAST_STARTER_KIT_P2156C108.cfm - should I look at something like that or just get a new packet of yeast?
Equipment for all grain is much of a personal preference and the types of beers you brew. I am in 1/2 bbl converted kegs for my mash tun and boil kettle…and now have a super fancy HLT from Stout Tanks. I have never used a cooler. I do 10-12 gallon batches, but I don’t often do big beers (above 1.085), nor use a lot of sticky adjuncts, so I don’t have problems with stuck mashes and low efficiencies…I can direct fire any of my tanks and mostly interchange them if I ever needed (in case of failure).
I started with one keg kettle and a 5 gallon pot for my HLT and always needed extra water for sparging and was always transfering wort all around my brewery. Built my system one piece at a time (well after it was painfully evident that I needed the next piece of equipment). In this manner, I was able to save for good equipment and over buy (bigger and slightly better than I deserve) and look for deals…but it is as I said, a personal preference. Good beer can be made from the most simple of equipment…and really bad beer can be made anywhere.
Been saving all the links shared here. Some really great sites and equipment out there.
I was able to find out from Austin Homebrew Supply that the conversion kit will work with the 10 gallon coolers as well so I’m guessing that will be a less costly way to get into this. Although, I’d prefer to just get some of the awesome equipment you guys have shared.
I do still need to get that larger kettle. Other than that, I should be ready to go. Looking forward to starting my first all grain batch. Thanks for all the great advice.
If I’m doing this all wrong, I’d love the input. I thought the two coolers and conversion kit were the less costly option. Excuse my ignorance here. First time moving to all grain and the kit from before was always quite simple. I’d like to get what is needed, but not break the bank. I don’t mind spending to get something decent. But, being a beginner, I don’t need to go top of the line or anywhere close.