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Trying to calculate the costs of going all grain from Coopers and Festabrew. Am I far off?
I know that all grain will lead to cheaper and better brews, but there is a significant initial investment and a time investment.

Brew Kettle: $60
Wort Chiller: $50 (DIY)
Mesh Bag: $10
Propane Burner: $40-$60 (plus tank, no bbq right now)
Thermometer: $10-$20?


Total around: $180-$200

Sorry guys, long day. Just read the intro to this sub-forum. Seems I'm pretty close.

I think your numbers sound pretty right on to me. A properly fitting BIAB can be had for less than $30, custom to your exact pot size.

Hydrometer is a good idea too.

(Though you may already have one)

If you're doing a small batch the paint strainer bags work fine, if you're doing 5g batches, you'll want something bigger.

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There are cheaper ways to do a 5gallon all grain batch (2x20L pot on stove top, cuts out burner and propane) but it is pretty frustrating and you don't get anywhere near the same precision. I did it for a few batches then got the big pot and burner. No regrets and that's coming from someone who moves a lot!

I think you can do 5 gal BIAB on the stove. Depends what kind of stove. If you have a small stove with those coil elements I think you can get a pot with a big enough base to sit on more than one ring ...might be worth investigating. I've seen pictures on the net of that being done. I did many many 10 gal batches on a single burner of a ceramic hot plate. That burner is 2700W.

I did one batch on stove top with a large pot, before getting a propane burner. Took crazy long to heat up - like put a blanket over it and it took 45 minutes to go from sparge temp to boil.

Liam, so what's the time saving getting a burner vs. using the stove? 20 - 30 mins? then once you have a burner, you are committed to brewing outside, all weathers, unless you have a garage with a door you can open.

honestly, for a 5 gallon batch, each of the heating steps is about 15 minutes (tap to mash temp, mash temp to boil), vs 45 each on the stove top. so you save an hour of sitting around waiting for stuff to heat. the other disadvantage of doing it inside is wiping condensation off your ceiling.

not trying to pooh-pooh the stovetop brewing, it is certainly an option and that's why i brought it up. but i have not done it even a single time since getting my burner 2 years ago, even though i use the same equipment. brewing outside isn't a problem, just set it up whereever. you only have to attend to it during heating so that it doesnt boil over.

That sounds like an accurate account. I got used to the time. I now have an boil coil element in my big pot and use that in conjunction with the stove and it speeds things up nicely. I leave the kitchen door open to the outside to avoid steaming up. Even on the coldest winter days, although I don't leave it wide open. Lets some of the heat out from the boiling pot as well as the steam.

If you are handy you could build a heat stick for around 60$ and stick with brewing inside.

I use stove top + 1500W heat stick for my batches because i like to brew inside. I find it works great. I will add that the propane burner is definitely a more traditional route to go.. i just love the heat stick approach.

I brewed inside once without proper ventilation. First and last time

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Jimmy wrote:I brewed inside once without proper ventilation. First and last time

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Good point!

If you have a range hood that is vented outside it goes a long way. A recirculation range hood won't cut it though.

mcgster wrote:

Jimmy wrote:I brewed inside once without proper ventilation. First and last time

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Good point!

If you have a range hood that is vented outside it goes a long way. A recirculation range hood won't cut it though.

Not that you *can't* brew without proper ventilation, but after seeing the amount of steam floating around inside I said I would never do it again!

Yes.. and the consequences can be bad with the significant other lol .

Towel off the ceiling is always fun.

Mcgster I am actually intending to put together a heat stick soon. Any suggestions on where to look for a how to type of thing? Just want to make a 1500W one or whatever will work on a typical 15A circuit without tripping the breaker.

I went a bit overboard on my heat stick because i didn't like the designs that required sealing of the element with an epoxy.

I built mine out of parts ordered from Still Dragon. Its basically just the element guard kit that he sells with a 2" TC 90 degree elbow and a 2" piece of straight TC pipe.

I plan on building another one soon, the heat transfer of the submerged element is so much better than you get on a Stovetop. I am going to change my design somewhat for the next one and reduce the pipe down. You have to use 2" pipe to get the element to fit but after the 90 you could go to any pipe size you want.

I originally built this to supplement the 5500W element on my 100L setup at home but now i use it for my stovetop brews in NFLD.