All-Grain

[tizzler]

Apologies ahead of time. I do realize that the info I'm looking for is probably scattered throughout various posts.

Quick background - I have a keezer with three taps currently with an American Wheat, a Sam Adams Clone, and a Raspberry Cider. All ids good, but my process is 100% extract for the beer. I have been happy with it but as you know it is difficult or close to impossible to create a nice light-colored beer with extract.

My question is, what do I need to start to brew all-grain? Is it a big undertaking and investment to start with a all-grain process?

Thanks in advance.
Tom

[Keith]

Probably best to post your current setup, the we can make recommendations on what you'd require. May just be as simple as getting a biab bag from mashed in.

[tizzler]

I currently make both the "Best Case" kits, and a few clones kits from Everwood. The Best Case kit "Northern Lights" was great but much darker than what was expected.

I use a large pot to boil the extract, a primary bucket, a secondary carboy, and finally the corny kegs.

[KB1138]

How big of a pot do you have? I'd it the 3 gallon from noble grape? A large pot and a brew in a bag set up is the simplest way to go.

[tizzler]

I'm not sure the size of the pot. It's one of the smallest ones from Noble Grape that you can use with the Best Case kits. A 5 gallon perhaps?

[darciandjenn]

We've recently made the jump from the BestCase Kits to partial mashes. The only piece of equipment we added to make the jump was a nylon bag from Everwood (http://www.everwoodavebrewshop.com/prod ... ag-grn.htm).

The idea was to try out the whole mashing process and get a feel for whether a) we minded the extra time commitment, b) we could handle the the extra steps and c) if it made an appreciable difference in our beer before we made a large monetary investment. Without a doubt, we are making the best beers we ever have, hands down, and the brew day hasn't become much more difficult.

If you wanted to test the waters before dropping a bunch of money, I'd highly recommend following that path.

Personally, I think we're ready to make the final leap into all grain pretty soon, but we haven't totally settled on what kind of gear best suits us. I'm thinking about a BIAC set up, perhaps. Anyway, good luck to you!

[mstead]

I've never done beer in a bag so I can only comment on my setup which is a 15 gal kettle, 10 gal mash tun (gatorade style cooler) with false bottom and a 5 gal cooler for the HLT when I fly sparge (which I don't do that often any more).

I should have gone with a 15 gal kettle and a 10 gal mash tun from the start. I started with a 5 gal (of each) and quickly upgraded. I started fly sparging, and after a couple of years I switched to batch sparging to save time and one less piece of equipment (HLT). For sparging, I have used a false bottom, copper manifold and bazooka screen in my mash tun. Each work well, but I must admit, the copper manifold has been my favorite. For me, it seems to allow for clearer wort when sparging and allows for a finer crush without getting a stuck sparge. I've been using my false bottom for the last year or so, but I am going back to copper (just built a new manifold).

I would suggest finding someone who does all grain brewing and do a brew day with them before making the investment -- it will no doubt be a good one. Your brew day will get a little longer but doughing in will no doubt be one of your favorite parts of your brew day.

Hope that helps some.

[KB1138]

You have a 3 gallon I believe. I have one of the same from NG. It has volume markings along the side, no?

You can do biab with that kettle. I did it myself for a while before upgrading to larger gear. You won't be making big batches by any means but if you can book two evenings back to back you can squeeze out 20l. The single kettle is really all you need for brewing, along with the fermentation equipment you already have.