One pot all grain set up

[Tanglefoot]

I'm planning on having a go at all grain this year.
After a little research into different options I like the idea of mashing,sparging and boiling in one pot.
Partly for the simplicity but also as I'd rather use a gas hob than an element, I also have a solid fuel stove which I could use part of the year.

Any advice would be welcome;

I have a small camping stove with double burners, rated at 5.65KW - is this suitable ? ( pic below, the top will push down flat )
I'm looking at this kit form the Malt Miller
50 Litre Stainless Boiler & Burner combination | The Malt Miller

the burner is rated at 7.5wk which doesnt seem a huge difference.

I've also seen similar pots with built on temperature gauge as below - will that make the process a lot easier ?
https://powellbrewing.co.uk/product/70ltr-stainless-stockpot-with-tap-and-temp-gauge/
If I'm going to mash then sparge will I need some way to hoist/hold the bag while I sparge ? What do other people do ?

I've got a basic Bulldog IPA kit that I've brewed before with DME and a dry hop. I thought a good way to dip my toes would
be to add a partial mash to this. Any suggestions for type of grain, quantity of water etc ?

Thanks !

 

[AnimatedGIF]

Hi @Tanglefoot
It may be worth having a go at the simple AG first, just to be sure it's for you(not suggesting it wouldn't be). That's what I did and it worked well, and simply made me realise I want to do the larger batches of AG.

 

[ksmith91]

Hi @Tanglefoot
It may be worth having a go at the simple AG first, just to be sure it's for you(not suggesting it wouldn't be). That's what I did and it worked well, and simply made me realise I want to do the larger batches of AG.

Thanks for the link - massively useful thread!

 

[Drunkula]

Get a cheap induction hotplate for £30 or under. Far more convenient than butane.

 

[NPi]

Second @Drunkula comments, I used to use my gas hob and it was painfully slow and inefficient. The whole room would warm up before I even approached mash temp.

I pitched for a 2.7kw induction, but the cheaper 2kw units are just as good.

From a standing start (20C), it would take 25l of water just over an hour to get to a boil. Bare in mind you'll rarely be going from cold to a boil, without first Mashing.

 

[Tanglefoot]

I have now got myself a 2kw induction hotplate for free and am about to buy a stainless steel pot to go with it.
Plan is to try partial mash initially with a view to mashing,sparging and boiling later.

How many litres could I reasonably expect to mash on a 2kw hotplate ?
I'd like to get at least a 33l or 50l pot so in then future I could do larger 5 gallon brews.
Is it best to get a pot with a spigot to drain, also is it worth spending a bit extra for built on thermostat ?
I'll also be getting a grain bag, any other bits and bobs I'll need ?

Grateful for any feedback - cheers !

 

[Drunkula]

How many litres could I reasonably expect to mash on a 2kw hotplate ?

30 possibly more. I boil 26 litres to the brim at 1000 watts. My boiler is insulated with foam from a setee held on with bungee cords which might help.

I mash in a plastic fermenter with a stainless pan lid at the bottom as a heater, one of those fold out steamer things on top as a false bottom and my grain bag rests on top of that. The steamer comes just over the bottom tap so it works great.

I've got the pan lid on a string so I can whip it out and put it in another fermenter that's then the boiler and I swap over the insulation to that and start the boil as I sparge.

I basically brew with junk.

 

[NPi]

I'd go for a 50l pot if you can, it's overkill, but my 25l boils would be at the upper limit of a 33l pot. 2kw is good, it may take a little longer, but not much at all. You'll need a false bottom, I'd suggest a "cooling tray" that you can get for baking and cutting to fit your pot. This should stop your bag scorching.

I'd recommend BIAB Brew Bag for Mashing grains during home brewing craft beer for your bag. I've had mine for a while and must have done 20 brews in it without issue.

I added my spigot myself without too much hassle. You'll need a QMAX to punch your hole to fit the tap. 16mm to 50 mm for your choice for Q.Max Sheet Metal Punch Hole Punch | eBay


If I were you I'd buy a 2nd hand stainless steel pot of ebay if you can. Or look local

 

[Tanglefoot]

Thanks for the replies.
Had a change of heart after adding up the cost to get a 50l kettle with spigot/thermometer,
wort chiller, grain bag etc and realising an all in one system isn't that much more expensive.

Found this Klarstein Mundschenk Mash Tun for £ 190 as B stock - return with slight signs of wear, 1yr warantee.
No idea how long it'll take to arrive though.

https://www.hifi-tower.co.uk/Home-L...r-1.html?force_sid=74gj9qa9k9vjgt66br21skuvm7

 

[Tanglefoot]

Picked up a 27l stainless steel pan with spigot, brass wort chiller and couple of bags off gumtree.

The Klarstein doesnt seem to come with a chiller and the pan might be handy for heating sparge water,
though I'm planning on cutting my teeth with a few partial mash kits - seen a few on Malt Miller I fancy trying.