All-In-One or seperate?

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McGrath1990
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All-In-One or seperate?

Post by McGrath1990 » Fri Nov 24, 2017 12:35 pm

Hey all!

I just pulled the trigger on equipment on the kegerator. Next step is to work my way towards an all grain brewing set up.

What are your thoughts on all in ones, or a more "standard setup."

Price point, convenience, etc.

Looking forward to your opinions and experience with both!

-Josh

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Jimmy
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Re: All-In-One or seperate?

Post by Jimmy » Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:25 pm

Personally, I'd recommend an all-in-one single vessel (ie: BIABag or BIABasket) system.

Less cleaning required
Less equipment required
Less investment required
Less space required
Brew day is generally shorter

Down the road if you think you'd prefer to go 2 (or 3) vessel, you can just add to the system.

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mckay75
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Re: All-In-One or seperate?

Post by mckay75 » Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:36 pm

That's exactly what i did. Started with a 19gal kettle doing BIAB on a propane burner. Over a year I collected bits and pieces to start building a 3 vessel electric brewery.

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Re: All-In-One or seperate?

Post by Yillis » Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:43 pm

Yeah I bought a 15 gallon kettle to do BIAB and did one batch, then remembered I had one of those 5gal round coolers so I was gonna do MIAB but before I even got a chance someone gave me an old 60L keg, 3 vessel ever since.

Do you have any equipment for brewing yet?

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Jimmy
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Re: All-In-One or seperate?

Post by Jimmy » Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:46 pm

mckay75 wrote:
Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:36 pm
That's exactly what i did. Started with a 19gal kettle doing BIAB on a propane burner. Over a year I collected bits and pieces to start building a 3 vessel electric brewery.
It's funny, I took the opposite route. For my first all-grain setup I built a single tier 3 vessel system, then switched to single vessel BIAB.

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jimboh
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Re: All-In-One or seperate?

Post by jimboh » Fri Nov 24, 2017 3:22 pm

I started with a grainfather, liked it a lot except wanted to do bigger batches. Went to 3 kettle electric and am now in process of building a single kettle electric craftbeerpi setup with a stainess grain colander in lieu of a bag.
Agree wholeheartedly with all Jimmy's points especially the length of the brew day. I am finding brew days with the 3 kettle system take at least twice as long as with GF.
Efficiency of the 3 Kettle was excellent but that is not of prime importance to me. Beers from both methods taste great!
Drinking: Best Coast IPA, Old Speckled Hen Clone, Northern Lights (NG),
Belgian Saison, Blonde Ale, Toy Soldier Stout(OBK) and 14G batch of ESB.
Fermenting: Taking a rest!
Scheduled: Another 10G of Toy Soldier Stout.

McGrath1990
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Re: All-In-One or seperate?

Post by McGrath1990 » Fri Nov 24, 2017 5:33 pm

Hey guys- FYI, I didn't mean to post in this group- I think my computer was freezing or something- sorry about that!

Reposting in general discussions!

Thanks for answers so far!

McGrath1990
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Re: All-In-One or seperate?

Post by McGrath1990 » Fri Nov 24, 2017 5:43 pm

I do have the equipment, but have been sticking to mostly extract kits. I just have anything for all grain purposes yet though.

I actually just bought everything for my kegerator conversion.

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Re: All-In-One or seperate?

Post by Yillis » Fri Nov 24, 2017 8:24 pm

if you have been making extract kits and want to go to allgrain, you just need a bag haha

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Re: All-In-One or seperate?

Post by Celiacbrew » Fri Nov 24, 2017 8:51 pm

I think both ways have their advantages. I have a grainfather, used to do cooler mash tun with batch sparging. The old set up was easier to learn but more hands on. The grainfather lets me brew inside and walk away if I want to go to the market with my kids. If you have the money and like DYI I would get the all in one system and enjoy geeking out with your toys. If you aren’t and want an easier setup go BIAB or cooler MIAB. Personally I would go with what Jimmy suggests.
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Re: All-In-One or seperate?

Post by jacinthebox » Sat Nov 25, 2017 9:26 am

I do both oddly...
My 10gal batches I mash in my 30gal tun...drain wort and boil in my 20gal pot.

When brewing 20gal...i mash in my 30gal tun...drain into buckets...dump grain and boil in the 30gal tun.

I'm going to get a false bottom for my 20gal pot so I can use one pot to brew in regardless of batch size.

Pros
One pot is easier to clean than two

Cons
I have to wait for the tun to finish draining before I can start my boil
Brathair Brewing



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