Starter Kit???

[Brew_Novice]

Hi all,
OK I have decided to start brewing and would like to take the plung straight for the All Grain.
I have no equipment as yet. Happy to buy 2nd hand.
GrainMaster looks good but it is a more than I was looking to spend and there doesn't appear to be many available 2nd hand.
I have seen posts on here about a BIAB kit.
What would people recommend?
All advice greatly received.
Many thanks

 

[Budgie]

Welcome to the forum! :

If you haven't already, have a read of this thread http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=51779
That's how I, and quite a few others made the plunge into all gran.

You'll want a stock pot - about 15 litres will do the trick to do 10L batches.
A mashing/sparging bag - I used one of these https://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/mashing-sparging-bag-ritchies.html

Then you'll need the following basic brewing gear:
fermenting vessel & airlock
Hydrometer and trail jar
A big spoon
Thermometer
Some bottles or a barrel to put your finished product into. You can find all of those things in any Homebrew store or in Wilko.

One word of warning, once you start you'll become addicted. Welcome to the club, there's no going back! :grin:

 

[chewie]

All grain is certainly the way to go, I'd lean towards getting the basic equipment first though that Budgie recommends and getting a basic 1 can coopers kits on the go first. This allows you to get a run thru done of cleaning/sanitising/fermentation/bottling whilst you look about for the extras that all grain needs and decide on what equipment/method you want to plump for.

I did see a shop damaged Grainfather (cosmetic only) on ebay a few weeks ago for around £300 so there are some that come up for sale now and again. If you only plan on consuming small amounts though a smallish stock pot would be a better alternative.

 

[Brew_Novice]

Thanks both for your valued advice.
Perhaps I will start with a coupe of BIAB and keep my eye open for a Grainfather as £300 would have been ok.

 

[johnnyboy1965]

Woooo, Slow down there Brew-Novice. Start with a few kits and progress.
I cant see the point in spending hundreds of pounds and then find out that you dont actually like brewing.
Research and ask questions, no one will laugh at you.
P.S.....Welcome

 

[Sandimas]

I cant see the point in spending hundreds of pounds and then find out that you dont actually like brewing.

+1

There are some very strong advocates for All Grain but it's not the nirvana nor for everyone, there are cons as well as pros e.g. can you find a spare 5 hours to do a brew? If you're really determined to start with AG then small-volume 10L BIAB is a good way to go because you've probably already got a lot of the kit you need, and if not it's cheap and re-usable e.g. 15L stock pot.

 

[Clint]

I'm new to brewing and have started with kits. I'm a stickler for detail and getting things right;researching everything to death and boring the liver out of anyone who'll listen! After 7 kits I'm finally getting my regime sorted...as easy as it all seems on YouTube! Along the way,having decided brewing is for me,I've been looking at what AG entails....a lot more reading for one...and more money to get kitted out as there are a few options. I'm glad I started where I did.

Cheers

Clint

 

[LarryF]

Getting a few kits under your belt will let you get your sanitation and bottling/kegging routines down pat. You can work on things like yeast starters, re-pitching from trub, start looking at adding extra fermentables and hop additions. All of this is invaluable experience and gives you a great basis for moving onto AG brewing. And....you get some great beer to drink while you're doing it. The Tesco sale can't be that far away, stock up on kits and brew enhancer it's well worth stocking up on either the Tesco or Wilko sale if it's kits you're after.