AG Noob....What should be on the shopping list?

[Hudson1984]

in 2021, i'd like to move to AG.

Never done it, Never seen it done.

I don't have limitless space, but happy to dedicate some of the garage to this.

I have a small brew fridge, temperature controlled, and the larder kegerator.

I only really want to brew Stout - maybe lager. Not really on the craft beer bandwagon i'm afraid and never been much of an ale drinker.

I like the idea of a grainfather unit, but perhaps there's a better option? any suggestions would be great.

 

[Clint]

What you got in terms of...
System preferences.
Budget
Time.

 

[Hudson1984]

preferences: none really, just don't want something that's untidy. I don't want a heater as i'll be brewing in the garage.
Budget: nothing particularly set, happy to spend what's necessary, but always like a bargain so i'm not against buying used. No point spending £10,000 for something that can be done with £1,000
Time: this one's limited. Really couldn't spend a whole day brewing even at weekends. So few hours at a time? I work from home, so can work around a brew to a certain extent.

 

[Pezza24]

Just in the throws of doing a 10L batch of Wheat Beer as a BIAB.

Huge Stock Pot
Straining Bag (Wilko)
Big Spoon
Muslin bag for hops

Have to use the kitchen but the kids are in bed and I've taken the opportunity.

 

[Clint]

Obviously you can do UP to 23 litres in a gf type system or with a 30 litre pot...what's your batch size?
I think I'd be looking at an all in one system as it's less equipment to clean and store and from the sounds of it quicker than pits and a tun...

 

[Hudson1984]

23 ltrs would be fine in all reality can only fit 19 in the corny anyway. I'll keep 1 for cider, and 1 for wine, so the stout keg would be the only space really.

have to look into a GF a bit more.

 

[Clint]

Have a look at the all in one at Brewkeg tap...

 

[Hudson1984]

So....

All in one thing:
https://www.angelhomebrew.co.uk/rob...BXzZGKZT-kjo-CIkQLvvsWwYTMfUhvZBoCf0YQAvD_BwE£349

Boiler:
https://www.angelhomebrew.co.uk/rob...-boiler-2400w.html#/152-add_biab_brew_bag-yes£148.50

Conical:
https://www.angelhomebrew.co.uk/bre...onical-fermenter.html#/83-cooling_option-none£169

So is that everything i'd need?
I assume the conical would need to fit in my brew fridge for temp controlled fermenting is that correct? As I said, i've only ever made kits. I assume I could use my plastic fermenters but then i'd rather keep them for kit duties.

have I missed anything?

£666.50

Certainly a whole bunch cheaper than grainfather.

 

[Hudson1984]

https://www.angelhomebrew.co.uk/bre...30l-brewdevil-ss-conical-cooling-lid-kit.html
with the cooling lid, I assume this is connected to a pumped, cooling water circuit. Can you get coolers for this job? something smaller than the Grainfather glycol thing... I'd really like to keep things out of the brew fridge if I can.

 

[Clint]

The conical is nice but....it won't make you better beer.
A plastic fv bucket will do the job and save you about £150 if you get 2.
You need some cleaner and sanitiser.
For cleaner go to BM BARGAINS get the 2kg of Astonish in the pink tub for £3.
For sanitiser either Starsan or Chemsan. Various sizes available but lasts ages!

 

[The Cat]

The conical is nice but....it won't make you better beer.
A plastic fv bucket will do the job and save you about £150 if you get 2.
You need some cleaner and sanitiser.
For cleaner go to BM BARGAINS get the 2kg of Astonish in the pink tub for £3.
For sanitiser either Starsan or Chemsan. Various sizes available but lasts ages!

This stuff Clint?

 

[Clint]

Yes that's it.

 

[Hudson1984]

Ah I've got cleaner and stuff, I do brew kits so I've got the "bits and pieces" it's just moving from that to AG is a daunting task.

I'm sure better gear doesn't make better bear, i'm more looking for better gear to make it easier to make any beer - good or bad :)

my main aim is to be as restrictive on space as I can be. I've already got 3 fridges in the garage and I'm reluctant to add a forth

 

[The Cat]

Ah I've got cleaner and stuff, I do brew kits so I've got the "bits and pieces" it's just moving from that to AG is a daunting task.

I'm sure better gear doesn't make better bear, i'm more looking for better gear to make it easier to make any beer - good or bad :)

my main aim is to be as restrictive on space as I can be. I've already got 3 fridges in the garage and I'm reluctant to add a forth

I've jumped in as well and ordered a Brewzilla. I've not even done an extract with grains yet that's this weekend so it does seen a bit daunting to me as well - the way I see it is early mistakes will be well remembered and worth it.

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

Waterproof socks.

 

[The Cat]

Waterproof socks.

And brewers' gauntlets - am very weary of boiling liquid.

 

[Hudson1984]

See I'd love a setup that's as "enclosed" as possible....if that's even possible!

be nice to have all transfers via pumps and pipe... but think that's beyond a reasonable budget

 

[Richard_H]

Those SS conical's are really tempting for me, the ability to remove the yeast trub without transferring to another vessel is a huge plus point for me, also gives you the option to use it as a secondary for bulk aging using the same method.

Having said that a plastic bucket FV with a tap for £15-20 can produce beer just as good, they are a fraction of the price and last longer than expected.(mine is 5 years old and still going strong)

 

[Crappyfish]

A

Waterproof socks.

And a mop

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

See I'd love a setup that's as "enclosed" as possible....if that's even possible!

be nice to have all transfers via pumps and pipe... but think that's beyond a reasonable budget

It’s not the transfers that are the problem: it’s the disassembly and cleaning that gets messy All part of the fun...