Proposed AG setup - along the right lines?

[Hudson1984]

So taking on board advice from you lot on one of my other threads, Wondered if you could vet my thinking and initial foray into AG.

I think BIAB seems a decent way to start

so - digiboil
https://www.angelhomebrew.co.uk/rob...3-1499-digiboil-35l-digital-boiler-2400w.html
from here - into a fermenter, as much as I like the look of the SS Ones, I really like the idea of seeing what’s going on, so thinking of a fermzilla
https://www.angelhomebrew.co.uk/fer...e_kit-add_pressure_kit/88-spunding_valve-none
Although, I like the idea of pressurised transfers - I see on the brewzilla I can use the pump to transfer into a pressure fermenter/conical so not sure if this will work for me?

ideally I can pressure transfer from the boiler or whatever I’m using to do the brew, into fermenter, then from there into a corny - mainly as I’d prefer to condition in a corny to free up the fermenter.

is all that correct? Have I overlooked something?

 

[chopps]

Both nice items there.
If it were my preference, I’d move some expense out of that fermenter and use it for a system with more features. eg recirculation and PID controller.

Brewdevil, Klarstein Mundschenk, Brewmonk - basically all the same and a touch over £300 usually. Plus a tenner for a nice bucket and lid to ferment in, or £25 for a clear one you can see into

 

[Hudson1984]

See I’m keen on the brewdevil, but from what I’ve seen, I still need a boiler, so thought it a good place to start I.e start with the boiler allowing me to do BIAB, then I can add the brewdevil down the line if I want to expand.

but if it’s best to change that up and start with the brewzilla then so be it

 

[Seghes]

As a relative beginner, I have exact same set up; Brewzilla, digiboil and Fermzilla. Have done several brews with great success. It’s a budget set up but hail to Kegland for making decent affordable gear. Other items you might consider: a fridge (free to £30 on Gumtree) you can turn into a warm/cool fermenting chamber - with an Inkbird (eg. ITC 308, £21 at Amazon today) and tube heater (c£20).

 

[Hudson1984]

Ah I have a brew fridge, and kegerator so it’s really just the brew gear

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

One thing’s for sure, there are as many different ways of brewing as there are brewers, and we are all convinced our own way is best

I think it’s highly likely that unless you are very lucky, you will end up adapting your setup somewhat as you find what process works best for you. So it might make sense to not spend too much on the bits of kit most likely to change.

One option I think you should seriously consider from the sound of your preferences, is to look seriously at an all-in-one solution like the Grainfather. It’s a big lump of cash, for sure, but it is a very ‘sorted’ system that works extremely well, looks the business, and is the antithesis of the ‘garage full of bits and bobs’ approach. You might even be able to pick one up second hand.

Otherwise, my advice is initially to focus your investment on getting the ‘big ticket’ items right: a decent boiler (as you are) and a decent solution for storing the finished beer (e.g. a pressure barrel; ideally a Corny and a gas cylinder with a regulator). For the bits in between, I’d say for now just get yourself a set of at least three large (30L) food grade plastic buckets with lids off Amazon or eBay. The yeast will be perfectly at home fermenting in one of those, and the others will be invaluable for storage and washing up.

As for pumps and whatnot, they are really pretty easy to fit afterwards if you’ve got even a moderate DIY capability.

As I say, just my opinion :-)

 

[chopps]

See I’m keen on the brewdevil, but from what I’ve seen, I still need a boiler

The all-in-ones mash and then boil. Same unit. Not sure what you mean? Do you mean something seperate for sparge water? Buy a cheap Igenix 18L - it’s the same as the GF sparge heater.

 

[chopps]

Watch Sarah’s vid

 

[dave_77]

Im currently using the brewzilla and I have a fermzilla all-rounder as I wasn't fussed about the extra valve at the bottom.
I think your plan is sound for a simple electric BIAB, similar to doing a BIAB on a hob as you won't be able to control the mash temp as closely without the pump recirculating over the top of the grain bed. If you can get the digiboil for £150 you could get a pump to attach to the tap and then you could recirculate and would be able to transfer to the fermenter. Then you would be looking at another £80-120 for a pump putting you in the £250 range, £100 quid cheaper than buying the Brewzilla/Robobrew. If you put the digiboil on a stand or work bench then you could just drain the wort into the fermenter from the tap and then you wouldn't need the pump for transferring to the fermzilla. Sleeping bag or Brewzilla jacket and some stirring you could probably keep the mash temp steady without recirculation.

 

[Hudson1984]

Yep digiboil purely for sparge if I go brewzilla so thought by starting with the digiboil, it allows me to do BIAB, the. When I add the brewzilla down the line, the boiler will be left for sparge duties alone...unless I’m missing something which is certainly possible

I like that with the digiboil I can connect to the pump, then pressure transfer into a fermzilla.

i have cornies so once fermentation is complete I’d like to then transfer to keg for condition I know the fermzilla allows for conditioning in it but then I’m without the fermenter so would rather free it up ASAP so I can do another brew.

I’m not against going for brewzilla straight away or digiboil to get started. I’m totally against getting something I’ll want to replace in 6 months, would rather get the right stuff and get brewing

 

[chopps]

You’ve done your homework now, and as you can see, lots of varying opinons. There’s no right or wrong, just beer.

I think you are ready to make a decision :)

 

[Benfleet Brewery]

I did BIAB with a plastic Peco boiler until moving to a Brewzilla about a month ago. The Digiboil is really just a SS Peco and will work perfect for BIAB. It does make for an expensive sparge heater though. I’ll dig out the notes I made once detailing my Peco brew day which might be helpful.

 

[Hudson1984]

But I’m scared hahaha

I think I need to watch that video a few dozen times lol

I think I’ll end up going for a brewzilla in all reality, just a shame I can’t fit a conical in my brew fridge so will need to change something there.

probably go for this:
https://www.geterbrewed.com/ferminator-basic/
which will fit on my worktop. Which also has easy access to plugs etc - well in fact it would fit in the gap where my brew fridge is, but better internal dimensions. The brew fridge can take 2 cornies so could always be moved and used for conditioning

 

[Benfleet Brewery]

Here you go

My Peco brew day





The method below worked well for me using around 5kg grain making a 23 litre batch with a 60 minute boil. I have an Ikea pan splash guard in the bottom of the Peco which keeps the brew bag off the element in case I need to turn it on to maintain mash temperature. This is removed before the boil though. I brew outside so this is only required occasionally on particularly cold days.

1. Fill the Peco to the brim with mains hot water from the combi boiler. This gives 35l of water at about 55 degrees
2. Add all calculated water additions for brew except for lactic acid and stir to dissolve and blend everything in
3. Draw off 10 litres of this water from the tap into a Tea Urn. This will be my treated Sparge Water. The remaining 25 litres is my treated Mash Water.
4. Add calculated amount of Lactic acid to the Mash water in the Peco and heat to mash temperature.
5. Add the brew bag and grist, put the lid on and cover with a blanket.
6. Whilst this is mashing, heat the sparge water to 75 degrees
7. Keep and eye on temperature. Remove blanket and lid and stir three times during the mash.
8. After 60 minutes tie and lift the bag on a pulley rope suspending it above the Peco to drain. Turn the heating element on and sparge the bag slowly with enough sparge water to make up to 28 litres.
9. Squeeze the hell out of the bag to get a final 1 litre making a total of 29 l Pre boil
10. Bring to Boil and boil for 60 minutes with hop additions along the way.
11. Insert chiller and add half protofloc tablet with 10 minutes to go.
12. Chill.
13. Leave with lid on for 30-40 minutes for the crud to sink to the bottom
14. Transfer clear wort to FV from the tap

This gave me exactly 23 litres wort in the FV

 

[chopps]

You should do a socially distanced brewday with a willing member when this lockdown ends. If you’re anywhere near Cheshire, I’d gladly help you work out what you really want

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

I agree with Dave, although from what you've said before I think one of the 'all-in-one' systems might suit you very well if it's in your price range.

I would say that I don't think you need to spend "£80-120" on a pump though. Whilst I'm sure pumps costing that much are great, i use these little 12v ones for recirculating (12V 1/2'' Thread Brushless Water Pump Solar Power Hot Circulation Motor 480L/H | eBay). They are cracking little pumps: never had a blockage (although I do have a decent mesh filter in my mash tun) and the performance is very good indeed. I've also run them for days on end, controlling the temp of my FV

 

[chopps]

@Markk .... why have I never thought to treat all the water then drain out the sparge amount for later? Here’s me fiddling with two sets of water additions every brew. Genius :) Thanks!

 

[The Cat]

But I’m scared hahaha

I think I need to watch that video a few dozen times lol

I think I’ll end up going for a brewzilla in all reality, just a shame I can’t fit a conical in my brew fridge so will need to change something there.

probably go for this:
https://www.geterbrewed.com/ferminator-basic/
which will fit on my worktop. Which also has easy access to plugs etc - well in fact it would fit in the gap where my brew fridge is, but better internal dimensions. The brew fridge can take 2 cornies so could always be moved and used for conditioning

You are doing exactly what I did - I bought a Buffalo 40l and now have a Brewzilla arriving this week. I am still apprehensive about starting out but ask me again in January and I should know what I'm doing by then. I'm doing my first BIAB tomorrow and after that will use the Buffalo for sparge water heating.

I'm content enough for now with plastic fermenter buckets maybe next year might think about trying something else but no rush at all for that they've served me well so far.

Good luck. I will be spending a lot of my free time next week watching videos and reading.

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

shame I can’t fit a conical in my brew fridge

Any old bucket will do! just pick one that fits in your fridge

 

[chopps]

Any old bucket will do! just pick one that fits in your fridge

Yep. These will fit in the smaller fridges. Very airtight. 4 quid each plus postage. Drill a hole for an airlock and tap if required. 27 litres. Food grade.

Diameter x Height

37.5 x 33.1 cm

https://www.auer-packaging.com/gb/en/Pails-round/ER-27-375D.html?color=9016