Gas or electric?

[HoppyG]

Hi,I'm starting to get my equipment together for BIAB after getting bored with kits.
I'm not sure which way to go as in electric or gas, I've got a double garage to brew in as I don't want to take over the kitchen for 3 hrs as SWMBO would keep tutting
Can anyone give me the + & - on both?
Is the temp more controllable on an electric heater than gas?Or does it not matter that much?
Was thinking of getting this 50 litre one http://www.homebrewbuilder.co.uk/hlts%2 ... ttles.html I understand that this can have a heating element added if I wanted to go electric?
I'm sure there'll be more questions as I get near to my first brew

[sbond10]

You want to also consider what your kitchien cooker can heat mines about 17 litres at most.

There's various pros n con s to both it's all down to personal choice.
If you go electric you couple it with a digital temp controller and then you set mash temp and it will do the rest.
Gas is less fancy throw it on your ring and control the temp your self. Can be cheaper if you don't have to buy a new ring and bottles etc.

As you've said your in a garage so I reckon electric would be better

[Dave-Leeds]

I have done both and find eletric works better for me. Dont need as much kit
even sold my 50ltr s/s pot and bought a cheap fv and fit 2 elements in

[bigchris]

I use a Buffalo 40L water boiler, very successfully, for BIAB brewing. Originally I was doing 3 vessels with a seperate mash TUN but now find BIAB much easier and beer is just as good. I bought the boiler on e-bay when Nisbetts were having a sale, for around ninety quid. I've just noticed there is a second hand one available on e-bay finishing today:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Homebrew-Buff ... 2a39298c52

Chris

[raiderman]

I'm quite happy with electric. I brew in the kitchen and its easier than on the stove. I can get charing on the elements when heating durring the mash and if I brewed more lager with stepped mashes I'd have to look at the clearance between grain bag and elements which if increased would probably solve the problem - as it is I tend to add grain at 75.c insulate the pot and then leave it! Seems to wiork.

[seanhibs]

Electric is far quicker as far as im concerned. We have a 35 l ss pot that we use on a standard 4 ring hob, and a plastic bucket I made with two kettle elements, and the electric boiler wins the race easily everytime.

It is also cheap as chips which is great!! 2 kettle elements for £5 each. do need to be careful not to get water into the electrics, but not too hard to avoid.

Give me a shout if you have any questions on building a boiler!!