what do i need for ag

[tamloz]

hi can any 1 give me a shoping list for a diy ag set up or what do i need premade set up wise :drink:

 

[31bb3]

2 fv's I'd go for 60L ones 4cheapo kettles for the elements a coolbox for a mash tun copper pipe and 90 degree bends 2 ball valves a hole saw 15m 10mm copper coil for wort chiller

 

[TRXnMe]

How much do you want to spend?

You can go for several options, ranging from a 100 litre stainless setup, with a 80 litre stainless thermopot, 100 litre hot liquor tank and 100 litre boiler, to a simple plastic setup using a 30 litre fermenting vessel converted to a boiler using value kettle elements and a coolbox mash tun, or any where in between.

I stopped at the 100 litre option as going over that is getting pricey and probably bigger than most are interested in.

My setup is a 50 litre stainless pot with two value kettle elements as heaters, a coolbox mashtun and a plastic pot with two value kettle elements in as a hot liquor tank, this is controlled using a home made PID controller driving two solid state relays to manage the elements output.

How you heat is up to you, but the minimum kit list is: -

Something to heat the water up in, nice if it ccan control to a set temperature so you get 'strike temperature' right for your mash, must also be able to maintain a rolling boil once the wort is added from the mash tun.

Mash tun, can be a coolbox with a tap and filter in the bottom.

Fermenting vat.

For the simplest method you could brew in the bag, needs one vessel with heating elements and temperature control, plus a huge bag for the grain.

Some way of cooling the wort (wort chiller) is a good idea as well so you can get the yeast pitched nice and quickly.

Do some reading around on here to get a feel for which method will suit you.

Also, beware, it looks cheap, but it's fun and can be addicitive, since March I've spent close to £600 on homebrew (including a shed to store the stuff in before it took the house over) equipment, however, my actual AG kit probably only cost me around £150 quid, including the temperature controller for my brew fridge :)

 

[tamloz]

i have a coopers home brew kit at the moment an was wondering what id need 2 go ag so if i use my coopers fermenter and got this as my boiler http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/aca ... ylene.html
and this for a mash tun http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/aca ... ylene.html
and a wort chiller will that be all i need 2 get started

 

[wilsoa1111]

i would buy a premade wort chiller(if i did it again) but the for the other stuff the DIY made kit tends to last longer and is far superior IMHO (people seem to have issues with them boilers-not nearly enough exposed electricals i reckon) :lol:
not to mention cheaper- only spent a few hours on it- tbh if u cant be bothered spending 5hrs building stuff u probs cant be bothered brewing for 5hrs per batch either- if so try extract- where a big pot or premade boiler should suit fine and flexibility is there-also reasonably cheap if buy in bulk and freeze up-also probs easier for high abv ales

 

[tamloz]

so what will i need material wise for a diy boiler i see its 2 value kettels a ballvalve an a pot anything else and any suggestions of pot plus any liks 2 a how 2 will be helpfull lol

 

[TRXnMe]

All the how toos are on the how to forum :)

Berglands are the ones to contact about stainless pots, but the fermenters are cheaper again.

DIY boiler: -

Big pot, plastic or stainless, stainless is better in my view as it's more solid when you've got wort at 100 degrees bubbling about.

1/2" Ball Valve, again stainless is good.
Bulkhead fitting, to fit to the ball valve
Bazooka hop filter (stainless steel braid attached to the inside of the bulkhead)
Two off value kettle elements
Two off Maplin 'hot plugs' to allow you to safely connect to the kettle elements.

DIY Mash tun

Coolbox, 20 plus litres to allow for grain and 2.5 litres of water per kilo of grain.
1/2" ball valve
bulkhead fitting
Grain filter

You will also need a thermometer, a hydrometer and a stainless spoon to stir stuff with.

 

[tamloz]

thank you very much m8 sounds aot cheaper than spending 400 or so got hhoked with my cooper kit an just want 2 progress lol just one question with the kettel ellemants how do you controll temp like keep it on the boil wil it not just cut out at boiling point like a kettel im sorry if this sounds a stupid question

 

[bobsbeer]

If you check out Bigyin's how to it will explain, but basically you take out the cut off switch so it stays on the boil.

 

[TRXnMe]

Here are a few hot tos

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3104

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=9899

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=1709

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=31987

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=10534

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=15083

That lot should answer all your questions, and create a few hundred more

 

[TRXnMe]

thank you very much m8 sounds aot cheaper than spending 400 or so got hhoked with my cooper kit an just want 2 progress lol just one question with the kettel ellemants how do you controll temp like keep it on the boil wil it not just cut out at boiling point like a kettel im sorry if this sounds a stupid question

See BigYin's PID how to in my list of links above

 

[tamloz]

a huge thak you for all this info im gonna start gathering all my gear an make the jump to ag

 

[bobsbeer]

See you on the other side. It's fun, if not a bit more time consuming, but well worth the effort.

 

[TRXnMe]

Where abouts are you? One of our members (caerlon) in North London is selling is boiler and mash tun, asking price is £40...

 

[tamloz]

hey trxnme iv sent a pm

 

[TRXnMe]

hey trxnme iv sent a pm

Replied, with link to the thread in question :)