Cost to move up from Partial Extract to Full Grain?

[SimonH]

I realise this is not an original question but hey.

I've done two brews, first full extract then partial. I've looked into all grain but i'm put off by the gear needed.I'm interested to see how cheaply i could enter into it??

Cheers.

[timmy]

Look into Brew In A Bag (BIAB for short). The only thing you really need for that is a big enough pot to do full boils but you probably already have that if you've done partials.. Oh - and you need a grain bag but that should only cost a couple of bucks from Spotlight if you know how to sew (or know someone who does). AHB (http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com) has a lot of info on it.

Cheers,

Tim

[SimonH]

nah the partial brew i did was in a pressure cooker, so enough for my little pac of grain but not enough for the full 23 litres, right? (i poured the grain soaked liquid into my 23L fermenter)

[Clean Brewer]

My advice, do some research on this Forum, AHB, You tube etc etc

I just took my first step and made a mash tun with an esky I had, cost about $30 for the fittings for it..

From the research ive done, I can see that I can do it quite cheaply to begin with and build from there, or as the above advice mentioned, BIAB, prob just need to get a bigger pot($100) and a bag??????????

[Chris]

You can mash in a bag inside a fermenter or big plastic bucket. The only drawback is that you can't apply direct heat, only add water.

[timmy]

If you need a big pot then check out your local markets. My local has 40L ali pots for $40.

I also got a 19L pot from Big W a while ago for about $20 and it's fine for doing 1/2 batches of BIAB

Cheers,

Tim

[drtom]

Are there any issues with common sanitizing chemicals and Al pots?

dT.

[Chris]

I wouldn't think so.

And let's face it, when do you ever need to sanitise your mash vessel?

[drsmurto]

You can mash in a bag inside a fermenter or big plastic bucket. The only drawback is that you can't apply direct heat, only add water.

No problem there. Simple single infusion beers. All you need is a big enough pot to do a full boil. A cheap Al pot would be the way to go.

[Ivesy]

I went from doing K&K brews with very little gear to a simple method of A.G for $105.00. Absolute Homebrew sell a starter pack with steel pot, thermometer, large plastic bucket with tap for mash tun, grain bag and your ingedients for your first brew. A simple instruction sheet makes it even easier.

[SimonH]

Cheers for the different strategies offered. Am liking the sound of the starter kit. Will check them out.

[Swifty]

timmy, what market are those cheap pots at? I have been looking and haven't found any at markets yet but have found cheap SS one's at an old Bunnings store that is now a discount place but they are pretty flimsy. Have they got anything bigger than 40L??

[Bizier]

I bought a large aluminium pot from an asian grocer in Marrickville for $40.
I know it said 40cm somewhere, but I have not calculated/measured the volume at all, I assume that it is about 40L. I plan to BIAB in this very soon.

[Ivesy]

oh yeah i got a 2 ring burner with regulator for $40 at bunnings. My normal inside stove took way too long, with this i reach a boil in about 15mins. Well worth it.

[Chris]

I thought vindaloo came with rice, not a regulator.

[Bizier]

I thought vindaloo came with rice, not a regulator.

Vindaloo does come with a regulator, that mint yoghurt stuff.

Edit I:
You get a nice controlled flame that way

Edit II:
And minimising the risk of liquidised gas being released.

Apologies for bringing the level straight to base...

[gregb]

We were doing really well staying on topic there for a while.

Vindaloo is not required for AG, therefore out of scope of this thread.

Cheers,
Greg

[Ivesy]

Well i was going to add that after bunnings i stopped in at the local indian joint for some vindaloo, so i did end up with a three ring burner after all

[Chris]

Back on topic...

what BTU output does your burner have Ivesy?

[Ivesy]

Sorry mate, not sure but will have a look next time i'm out there using it. Oh and i should add that i am doing the simplified method of A.G called brew in a bag (BIAB). Not much mention of it on this forum but plenty on Aussiehomebrewer. I dont know how much extra effort goes into the traditional way of brewing but for now 3.5 hours worth of effort will do me fine. I cant recommend this method enough, even after just three brews. Way better than kit beers (my view anyway)