1st All Grain Setup - Advice please....

[Squirrel]

Having done a few kit brews I decided to move to all grain a few weeks ago. I've since been scanning this site and getting some bits of kit together but wanted a bit of advice as I now can't decide the best way to go.

So....

I've got a 36L SS pan which I was thinking of adding a kettle element to and using as an HLT and Boiler.
On its way is a 2nd hand 25L Burco Boiler which I had planned on adding a temp controller and manifold or false bottom to and using as my Mash Tun. But I'm now thinking this will be to difficult with the element in the bottom although it would allow me to do various mashing temps.

The way I see it I have 3 options.
1. As above.
2. Use the pan as a mash tun with no element, and use the Burco as HLT and Boiler but this would reduce my batch size (I'm wanting to do about 23-25L batches).
3. Get a cool box and convert to a mash tun, convert pan to boiler and use Burco a HLT.

So having never used any of this type of kit before I wondered if anyone had any advice for me as the best way to go and point out what I've missed.

 

[pittsy]

Hi , your pot for boiling sounds ideal and the volume is good too for a 23 litre batch as you end up with boiling around 30/33 litres . The boiler would be good for a HLT but not so much for a mash tun unless you use a grain bag , and It would be difficult to get correct temps with It I would think .
A coolbox is a better choice but will cost at least £20 and could be more while the most ideal thing to use as mash tun is a stainless steel thermopot . Around £50 but will last years (coolboxes don't) and almost no temp drop over hours of mashing .
Btw welcome . :

 

[Hawks]

Welcome..

I agree with Pittsy, I'd use the Burco as an HLT, turn the pot into a boiler :thumb:

You then need a mashtun, good options from Pittsy again ( or you could go Brew in a Bag but I know next to nothing about that )

 

[evanvine]

Definitely pot for boiling, Burco for HLT and if you build yourself a little HERMS, you can use a plastic FV for your mash tun.
You will need a "hop stopper" in the pot and a "grain filter" in the mash tun.

 

[Fil]

+1 for a coldbox tun, using insulation to maintain a stable mash temp is much easier and cheaper than trying to maintain an uninsulated tun with active heating, the grain will overheat close to heating and cool down too much away from it, which is why rims or herms systems are used to maintain the mash liquor temp. £shop camping mats could turn the small burco int an insulated tun use the element to heat upto strike temp and turn off to add grain and for the mash..

enjoy the beer..

 

[Runwell-Steve]

I agree with the above.

I would use the Burco as your HLT.
Get a cool box and convert it into a Mash Tun, plenty of how to's around.
Use the pan as a boiler.

 

[Titch]

I used a burst as both for mine. Was selling it as have upgraded .
But burco and cool box is doable.

 

[marksa222]

the most ideal thing to use as mash tun is a stainless steel thermopot . Around £50 but will last years

£50 thermopot?? where, where?!

 

[pittsy]

the most ideal thing to use as mash tun is a stainless steel thermopot . Around £50 but will last years

£50 thermopot?? where, where?!

You got me there , was around 60 euro from german ebay but i've just remembered they no longer sell to uk
but a few still sell em here ( but for more cash ) http://www.ebay.de/itm/Edelstahl-Thermo ... 0777570033

 

[Squirrel]

Thanks for all the replies, they are much appreciated and thanks for the welcome.

I'm probs gonna go for a cool box or thermo pot. How long does a cool box normally last? Think I'm best off making my mistakes with something cheaper than the thermo pot.

Does anyone know where I can get a cheap stainless lid from for the pan?

Cheers

 

[Fil]

Does anyone know where I can get a cheap stainless lid from for the pan?

Cheers

ebay will probably sell u a lid but also look for a ss tray with a slightly larger diameter for a nice solid and perhaps cheaper alternative..