Considering 2 vessels instead of 1

[sbond10]

I currently brew in the bag with a 100 litre pan and a 7.5kw burner and thinking about buying a separate a separate mash so I can brew larger batches and to save me lifting grain up.

I use around 40 litres of water as my evaporation is high due to my 100 litre pan.

Can anyone talk me through the pitfalls of this approx costs and size of vessel I might need

Thanks in advance sean

[serum]

I've got a 50l boiler and 33l cool box mash tun and use about 40l of water for a 22l batch. I could probably brew a bigger batch though. I guess you'd want to go for an insulated stock pot for a mash tun if you want more beer.

[DarrenSL]

I've been thinking exactly the same. I currently brew in one vessel. I used to do BIAB but hated lifting the bag out and more often than not dripping wort all over the floor. I bought a false bottom for my kettle to double it up as a mash tun. Only problem with this is that the wort is sat around cooling down in buckets waiting for the sparge to finish. I think this is causing me some over attenuation issues.

These look decent and a fair price. They also do the conversion as well to add a thermometer, bottom drain and tap. Takes the total cost up to just over £200.
http://www.angelhomebrew.co.uk/en/stock ... s-pot.html

[orlando]

I've been thinking exactly the same. I currently brew in one vessel. I used to do BIAB but hated lifting the bag out and more often than not dripping wort all over the floor. I bought a false bottom for my kettle to double it up as a mash tun. Only problem with this is that the wort is sat around cooling down in buckets waiting for the sparge to finish. I think this is causing me some over attenuation issues.

These look decent and a fair price. They also do the conversion as well to add a thermometer, bottom drain and tap. Takes the total cost up to just over £200.
http://www.angelhomebrew.co.uk/en/stock ... s-pot.html

Take a look here as well.

[BrannigansLove]

What size batches are you hoping to brew? Have you considered investing in a hoist? This would remove the pain of lifting a bag, and may allow you to sparge the bag whilst suspended over your existing 100L vessel.

[Kyle_T]

I recently bought a 50L stock pot and 35L thermo pot for £105 direct from Bergland inc shipping.

[DarrenSL]

Do you have a link to Bergland? Angelbrew Pots are Bergland and probably Brew Builders are as well.

Is it an easy job to cut the holes (neatly) with standard diy equipment i.e. a drill + metal bit?

[Kyle_T]

Catering-portal.bergland@msg.afterbuy.de

I would recommend using Qmax cutters as they leave a nice clean cut with no burrs.

[sbond10]

Only upto 40 litres that's the biggest I want to at the minute. I had a 7kg grain bill over weekend just about lifted the bloody thing when wet

[DarrenSL]

Done! Just ordered the 35L stockpot from Bergland. £69 inc delivery which is a bit higher then normal because of the exchange rate currently. £8.50 for a Qmax and get some bits and pieces from AHB and I should be brewing this weekend.

Sean - I haven't had the goods yet but from my dealings with them so far I would recommend. Very quick to get back and easy paypal transaction.

[serum]

Only problem with this is that the wort is sat around cooling down in buckets waiting for the sparge to finish. I think this is causing me some over attenuation issues.

I've been a bit worried about this with my 2 vessel system. I really don't have space for anything else but my beers do tend to finish a bit dry. Quite a few people have told me this isn't the problem and that I should just mash higher but I'm not sure.

I've been trying mashing higher and also gave a step mash a try to see if that works. I'm waiting to find out.