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Hey, I'm looking for some equipment advice.

I've been extract brewing for about a year and a half, and I'm ready to make the big step into all-grain! I know you can get 10 gallon pots, propane burners, and igloo coolers etc. for reasonable prices at places like Kent. Is there any equipment that I shouldn't try and save cash on? What I mean is, will I be kicking myself later if I don't spend double on a Blichmann's burner, or a pot with a spout build it? Just curious what the general opinion is on spending extra on top of the line products. I'm on a budget, but I don't want to buy equipment just because its the cheapest.

Thanks!

Jeff

I think the burner and pot are the main pieces of gear you should not be too cheap with. And keep in mind the resale value should still be good on them if you need to sell later.

Hey Jeff,

Had you thought of doing BIAB, and doing it in the kitchen. That way all you need is a pot and a bag. And you will make very good beer that way.

I have always brewed in the kitchen. I thought I should get a burner and start brewing outside, but then revised my indoor method and I’m happy brewing in the kitchen. I ended up selling my burner.

Gets a bit steamy in there during the boil but I open the door a little and it seems to do the trick.

Just if you do BIAB make sure you get a big enough pot in case you want to do high gravity brews.

Someone was selling a keg with holes for an electric element.

Sandy

kent burner for 60$ works fine.

The $50 burner at home hardware works well for me, so does my canadian tire coleman cooler I use as a mashtun, they can be had quite cheap this time of year as both burners and coolers usually go on sale in the fall.

I would however spend a bit more on the kettle, as it is very convenient to have bulkheads for thermometer and ball valve. Both ontario beer kegs and everwood ave brewshop have these https://www.everwoodavebrewshop.com/cat ... w-kettles/ for good price. Are you planning to do 5 or 10 gal batches? An 8 or 9 gal kettle will do fine if you are content on doing 5 gal, but 15 gal kettle gives you the option to do 10 gal in the future.

This is also a decent deal if you are content on 5 gal batches
http://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/8_Gallon ... dless-.htm
but I am sure with the free shipping promotion everwood ave has at the moment, you could buy a 9 gal with thermometer and ball valve for around the same.

Good luck!

Thanks for the replies! I have looked into the BIAB method--it sounds like a decent way to do it, but we have a ceramic top stove--this is one of the big reasons I want to get outside to brew. I haven't had a boil over since my first kit, but the risk of it is reason enough to stop brewing stove top! I'll consider making more of an investment in the boiling pot.


I'm curious as well about the monthly meetings. I'd love to get more involved with other brewers. I live in Timberlea, so the Halifax meetings would be close. What does an average meeting consist of, and how many people typically attend?

There a few guys out hubley that brew together often. You are more than welcome to join us some time. Do a brew or two

I have a ceramic cooktop also. Once you pull the bag of grain out, that leaves quite a bit of headroom in the pot, making boilovers less likely. It may not be an option you want to go with, but it's possible to do.

GuingesRock wrote:I have a ceramic cooktop also. Once you pull the bag of grain out, that leaves quite a bit of headroom in the pot, making boilovers less likely. It may not be an option you want to go with, but it's possible to do.

Brewing in the kitchen... isn't it a luxury! wife finally let me.... aka I did it whole she wasn't home and walked in mid process. she was ok with it.