Boiler to get into AG?

[kearnage]

Hello,

After several years break from brewing (albeit kit) I'm keen to get back into it. This time with both feet and go for an AG setup. I've been looking at the Buffalo 40L as I know a lot of people here use it (with a couple of small modifications). In my hunt I also found this though

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Commercial-Ca ... 48632a4a86

As I'm new to AG, I'm not sure if this looks OK and if it would be big enough to achieve a 5 gallon wort? I'm building a mash tun from a 25L cool box and a counterflow chiller from copper pipe and hose.

The reason I'm tempted is obviously the price, with two kids all of my money seems to get get swallowed up elsewhere!?!?!

But if you seasoned pro's think it will be a case of "buy cheap, buy twice" I'll take the plunge and get the 40L Buffalo.

Thanks for any help I can get

[poolking]

Hi mate , why not try BIAB. I was same as you kit brewed for years, just set up my BIAB system. Please see my post...First BIAB ~~ Fullers ESB (with pics). It`s in brewdays section. You don't need separate mash tun and can chill using cubes. Got my 40ltr Buffalo from ebay, guy I bought it off has always got boilers on. username is...benmax3 , currently has a 30ltr model ...eBay item number: 271662842033. Hope that helps, Dave.

[Fil]

I understand the dilema, fwiw my first few biab brews were in an old undersized 5 gallon to the brim burco which was TOO SMALL and resulted in spills and overboils ;( 35l tho should be OK as with a 23-5l brew you not likely to have much more than 31l to start the boil with unless you really oversparged

i would be tempted to take a punt on it.. its about 1/2 the price of a 40l buffalo from nesbits tho thats just an opinion ive not seen or used the boiler so cant say for sure..

[DeadFall]

It's only 30L usable. I have one. If you filled it to the brim it would be 35. For me it was a waste of money too, it wouldn't hold a boil and the element burned out when I bypassed the thermostat. So I ended up spending another £40 on a q-max and backer element. I think some people have used them successfully though.

[AnthonyUK]

Someone has tried that boiler and written a post about it. They were not impressed TBH.

[orlando]

Bigger is better. When you are banging up against the fill limit you are tempted to simmer rather than a roiling boil using both elements all the way. A good hot break improves so many things in your beer it's a no-brainer. You will buy twice if quality really matters.

[Dave S]

40 l is perfect for a 23 l brew IMO. From what I've seen all manufacturers volume quotes are up-to-the brim, so you can take about 5 l off their figures for usable volumes.. The boiler the OP points to looks a bit top heavy to me. Also Nisbets are selling the 40 l at the mo for £95 incl VAT. It's looking like they might be discontinuing it. I've had mine for coming up to 3 years so I guess if it falls over and there're no spares it won't really owe me anything. I've found it a good reliable boiler if properly looked after.

[kearnage]

Thanks for the replies.

I think on the balance of it I'll go for the Buffalo and do the modifications. Sounds like it's a tried and tested route and will be better value for money in the long run.

Time to spend some money on a shiny new boiler!!

[Dave S]

Thanks for the replies.

I think on the balance of it I'll go for the Buffalo and do the modifications. Sounds like it's a tried and tested route and will be better value for money in the long run.

Time to spend some money on a shiny new boiler!!

I wouldn't advise modifications. Safety features are there for a reason. Also, you shouldn't need to do any, just keep the element plate clean.

[vacant]

The 60 litre "Euro" buckets are only £23. Mine's done almost 70 brews with two budget kettle elements and a water butt tap (add £15). Making the holes in plastic is easy, finishing off with a file. You can do it even cheaper with a single element and a mango chutney barrel if cash is an issue.

http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/aca ... n_Lid.html

[jaroporter]

i'll second the euro buckets. would definitely go with two elements though for good strong boil - and insurance in case one cuts out (though with thermal cutouts removed it shouldn't be a problem). gives you room to upscale in the [probably near!] future also..

[kearnage]

OK, now you have got me thinking!

For that price I could get a full setup with a HLT and a boiler. I'm liking where this is going. I'm not afraid of a bit of DIY!!

Next question then.....the elements?? Anybody got a recommendation? I've read that normal kettle elements have the thermal cut-out which isn't good for brew purposes.
That would also lead me to needing (or should that be "wanting") a thermostat to control the temp in the HLT.

Good job I wasn't trigger happy on buying the shiny boiler.

Thanks

[vacant]

The thermal cut-outs are easily removed. The newest kettle element I used was from Asda though most of the budget kettles from other places will do, just make sure they have long prongs if you want to fit a C15 hot condition plug (doesn't matter if you are going to crimp the power cable).

[orlando]

The 60 litre "Euro" buckets are only £23. Mine's done almost 70 brews with two budget kettle elements and a water butt tap (add £15). Making the holes in plastic is easy, finishing off with a file. You can do it even cheaper with a single element and a mango chutney barrel if cash is an issue.

http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/aca ... n_Lid.html

What I used for a long time, cheap very effective and the right size. A hard boil can lose you 8 + litres and that's before any system losses. In my own system I could lose up to 20, this meant starting boil volumes of up to 35l. These buckets will deal with that and any foaming at the start with considerable ease and of course allows for making bigger brew lengths. You can go for budget element of course (ASDA kettles etc) but my experience with them was poor. I went for the sort you can get from Brewbuilder or the Heating Element Co., haven't blown any in over 2 years of use, just make sure you get the C15 hot leads for them.

[DaveSmith]

I don't think that the Buffalo is fit for purpose and it is more expensive than better options.
A mate of mine has had numerous problems with it as have others on this forum, if you do a search you might find mention of their problems, he now just uses it as a HLT . It is cheaper and way more reliable to get a pot from someone like brew builder and get a hole cut by them or yourself for the 2.75kw element like the Heating Element co supplies.