Switching to all grain

[donking]

I am planning to switch to all grain. I am seeking advice since a lot of you guys are into all grain and I could probably avoid making mistakes or bad choices by asking for your feedback.

Gear that I have:
fermentors, carboys, airlocks, etc everything for extract brewing.
Coleman 45 liters rectangular cooler(not converted to mash tun yet)
20qt stock pot

I would like to be able to make 2 or 3, 5G batches at a time. I am cost conscious, so not looking for the Cadillac of brewing just something that works good.

[GAM]

For 5g (20l) the pot is too small. But you can do 2 boils.

You will need a chiller.

S

[jacinthebox]

I'd advise getting a keggle or even a larger 19-20gal pot...I sailed quickly past 5gal batches and started 10gal batches...only a little bit of extra time during a brew day.

chiller is also a must.

maybe borrow a brew buddys gear first...to make sure you want to invest in all grain gear

[donking]

Thanks for the replies guys. I would like more details in terms of equipment required.

I want to make at least 10 gallons batches. Anybody here make 10g batches with "Brew in a bag" method or is it to big of a batch for "BIAB"?

Could I just buy this:
https://www.everwoodavebrewshop.com/pro ... 15-gallon/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ,a large Nylon mesh bag, wort chiller and a propane burner that's it?

[gm-]

Pretty sure you would need a 19 gal kettle for a 10 gal BIAB. My 15 gal kettle is very full when I am boiling a 10 gal batch. You could pick up one of these 15 gallon kettles, change your cooler to a mash tun with a bazooka screen and ball valve, get a chiller and you are all set for 10 gal 2 vessel

[jacinthebox]

for 10gal id get the 19gal pot...no boil-overs
Lots of folks on here do biab...Jimmy's wife (Becky) can make you a custom bag...or get a larger cooler to make your mash tun

https://www.everwoodavebrewshop.com/pro ... 19-gallon/

[jacinthebox]

do you already have a propane burner?

[donking]

I forgot to add that, I have edited my reply.

[donking]

https://www.everwoodavebrewshop.com/pro ... abric-bag/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is that big enough?

[CorneliusAlphonse]

https://www.everwoodavebrewshop.com/pro ... abric-bag/ is that big enough?

No, that bad would work only for a small batch of all grain, maybe 5gallons at absolute most. You want a bag the same size as whatever pot you get. I dont know if anyone here does 10gallons BIAB, and if they do, they may have a metal basket that they put the bag in to help support the weight. I sometimes feel my 5 gallon batches are pushing the weight limit on the stitching.

Alternatively, you could get the bulkhead conversion thingy with the screen, and install it in your cooler. The two options would be about the same price

[jeffsmith]

for 10gal id get the 19gal pot...no boil-overs
Lots of folks on here do biab...Jimmy's wife (Becky) can make you a custom bag...or get a larger cooler to make your mash tun

https://www.everwoodavebrewshop.com/pro ... 19-gallon/

A bag from Jimmy and Becky would definitely be the way to go: http://www.biab-brewing.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[spickup]

I have a bag from Becky, and we have consistently done high gravity 10 gal BIAB in a 19 gal pot with no bag issues. No need for metal baskets.

[CorneliusAlphonse]

I have a bag from Becky, and we have consistently done high gravity 10 gal BIAB in a 19 gal pot with no bag issues. No need for metal baskets.

cool. thanks for correcting my faulty guess.

[donking]

What would be the best option, brew in a bag with 19g kettle or 44qt mash tun BIAB?

[CorneliusAlphonse]

44qt would be tight for a ten gallon batch, so i'd say the BIAB in 19gallon kettle.

[Keith]

20141230_123117.jpg

you will want a 19 gal pot, this is my 15 gal after every brew day. As you can imagine it goes all over the Burner and ground too. If you are doing bias get a pulley system setup to lift the bag. I have a 75qt cooler and I can almost do a 6% and 10 gal no sparge. I'd recommend 100qt for a big beer no spare.

[CorneliusAlphonse]

keith get some fermcap in that and turn your burner down as you hit a boil! i do 10 gal batches in my 15gal pot from dave and i never get boil overs.

[jeffsmith]

keith get some fermcap in that and turn your burner down as you hit a boil! i do 10 gal batches in my 15gal pot from dave and i never get boil overs.

Same here. Fermcap is the key.

[Keith]

I use ferm cap and dial the boil down, just likes to jump

[donking]

Thanks guys. I just noticed my cooler is 45 Liters, a little more then I thought. I might go the mash tun way and use this https://www.everwoodavebrewshop.com/pro ... -long-kit/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Do I need anything else to convert the cooler?

Is the cooler still too small?

[jacinthebox]

Thanks guys. I just noticed my cooler is 45 Liters, a little more then I thought. I might go the mash tun way and use this https://www.everwoodavebrewshop.com/pro ... -long-kit/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Do I need anything else to convert the cooler?

Is the cooler still too small?

I prefer the SS braid to the tube...I find my eff was better with the braid (not sure why that is)

[jacinthebox]

Here is my 100q tun

full volume-no sparge

[CorneliusAlphonse]

Thanks guys. I just noticed my cooler is 45 Liters, a little more then I thought. I might go the mash tun way and use this https://www.everwoodavebrewshop.com/pro ... -long-kit/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Do I need anything else to convert the cooler?

Is the cooler still too small?

45L is the same one I use when doing 10 gallon batches. Works fine up to about 25lb of grain or so, fitting much more than that in would be quite difficult. The good news is, if you buy that bulkhead thing and decide later you want more space, you could just upgrade to a larger cooler.

I havent had any problems with that setup.

[donking]

Thanks guys. I just noticed my cooler is 45 Liters, a little more then I thought. I might go the mash tun way and use this https://www.everwoodavebrewshop.com/pro ... -long-kit/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Do I need anything else to convert the cooler?

Is the cooler still too small?

45L is the same one I use when doing 10 gallon batches. Works fine up to about 25lb of grain or so, fitting much more than that in would be quite difficult. The good news is, if you buy that bulkhead thing and decide later you want more space, you could just upgrade to a larger cooler.

I havent had any problems with that setup.

What would be the og you would get with 25lbs of grains in that 45L cooler?

[CorneliusAlphonse]

Actually just checked, my last batch of IPA had 29lb. Anyway that would get you somewhere around 1.060