What all grain set up is better?

[wushurichard]

hi

I want to get into all grain but want a decent set up and i already have a brupacks boiler but need a mash tun.

What would you advise?

HLT and tun with sparge thing on the lid : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-gal-Mash-La ... 1e7727deef

or

stainless tun

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/homebrew-stai ... 461184bf2f

both are approx £160 (delivery to the UK on number 1)

any suggestions, many thanks

[Lars]

BIAB if the boiler is big enough

[wushurichard]

why BIAB instead of all grain? is their a benefit other than cost?

[Normski]

Of your two options,
The 32.5L Stainless Steel Thermopot is far better than two 19L coolboxes.

Norm

[far9410]

why BIAB instead of all grain? is their a benefit other than cost?

Well actually BIAB is all grain, just another way of doing it. Never tried it myself, but many swear by it, may be the set up you are looking for?

[oakwell]

have a look at the coleman extreme coolbox. holds the mash temperature well and easy to convert.

[Twistedfinger]

why BIAB instead of all grain? is their a benefit other than cost?

As said BIAB is all grain and has produced medal winning beers, the main benefit is in equipment needed. One pot and a bag, easy to set up,easy to do,minimal initial outlay so cheap to get started.

check out Biabrewer.info or Aussiehomebrewer.com

[Lars]

@Wush as said BIAB is full all grain, it just uses a single vessel rather than 2 or 3v. I love it. I brew in the kitchen with a 40L buffalo. Raise to strike temp, dough in and cover with lagging and a duvet or jacket. After about 60~90mins mash out, pull bag and proceed to boil. With this system it also means that its easy to apply heat if the mash temp is dropping although I've never had to.

[Matt12398]

BIAB is all grain as said but if your ultimate aim is three vessel brewing you go straight to that. I did BIAB first but having switched to a separate mash tun I much prefer it.

[vacant]

I brew in the car port. I do find that adding extra equipment to my bench (especially shiny stuff) makes neighbours and passers-by look in awe, thus increasing my "wizard" credentials.

So that's one good reason why I do more "mash tun" than BIAB brews.

[Rick_UK]

I brew in the car port. I do find that adding extra equipment to my bench (especially shiny stuff) makes neighbours and passers-by look in awe, thus increasing my "wizard" credentials.

So that's one good reason why I do more "mash tun" than BIAB brews.

I would love some wizard credentials! Might have to replace the old plastic cool box with a thermopot now - do they hold the temp just as well?

Any white beard growing tips Gandalf?!

[vacant]

I would love some wizard credentials! Might have to replace the old plastic cool box with a thermopot now - do they hold the temp just as well?

I've got one of Mr Lard's/homebrewbuilder's 32.5L mash tuns (early experimental version) and they hold temperature brilliantly.

[Rick_UK]

Is that a DIY conversion or off the shelf vacant? Got any pics or links?

[vacant]

Is that a DIY conversion or off the shelf vacant? Got any pics or links?

It was a well-used stockpot holding a brass centre drain with silicone hose to the side (on the way back from collecting it, I bought a cheapo ballvalve from Wickes). It had a circle of silicone hose propping up an Ikea splatter guard. It also had a hole in the top at the side I had to block off from HERMS.

So, it was a Mr Lard DIY. the commercial ones have all the "jaggies" under the base taken care off. Also, I worked out the deadspace 0.7L (then found that figure scrawled on the tun) whereas it's 0.4L with a steel drain. Price doesn't include a falsebottom. <- the monster stainless mash spoon on that page is tempting.