I’m sure this has been asked before on this forum,but I moved into a new place and have a sweet spot in the basement to create a home brewery from scratch…I have been brewing for over 20+ years using my Gott cooler and ceramic pots and turkey burner…now thinking of a new brewery with new equipment…with so many different choices, how can you choose a decent, reliable system? I am open to ideas that are reasonable in price and will make my brew day easy and fun…thinking about a 10 gal RIMS system…
Frankly, if you are going with 10 gallon batches, I would consider a 240 volt all in one system, like the bigger Grainfather, the Brewzilla or one of the new component built systems like SS Brewtech or Spike Brewing or similar. Add a game hoist for pulling up the grain basket and you are pretty well set.
I have the Anvil Foundry for 5 gallon batches and really like it on 240V…my larger set up is a 9 gallon HERMS liquor tank with immersion coil (3500W element), 20 gallon InfuSSion Mash Tun, with an 18 gallon Stout Tank (all in one using only the main kettle anymore). I use 400 micron Brew Bags for all of my brewing to eliminate grain pushing through on recirculation.
I’ve never been a fan of heating anything with electricity, but in a basement, short of doling out the cash for a hood and exhaust system the turkey fryer thing isn’t a good plan, electric’s probably the easiest way to go.
I am another vote for electric. I used to use propane but now that I can control the exact wattage for the boil and the RIMS tube I can more precisely predict results.
if i was you i’d go electric if you have the ability, i’m friggn lucky cause my stove is powerful enough to boil 7.5-8 gallon boils no problem if your stove can handle use that and save a few G’s
Also, I forgot to mention that I would consider the use of the steam condensers now being used by many homebrewers - a great way to minimize steam issues indoors. I haven’t gone that route yet, but I am looking into it.
I built and use a steam condenser and heat with a 240V commercial induction burner- was able to move my brewing indoors during a renovation of my own. These two pieces are all I changed to my set-up; I’d rather spend my funds on ingredients than on equipment.
