new gear?

[Mike T]

So it looks like I'll come into a bit of money in the next wee while, and have been thinking about updating some of my gear!  Currently I have chilly bin mash tun, 50L converted keg kettle, plastic fermenter, some glass carboys, and I batch prime and bottle.  I'm tossing up on some corny kegs plus co2 gear or one of those shiny conical fermenters made by Farra Stainless... which I am told can be used as a pressure vessel. 

So any thoughts on where the best investment might be?  any advice would be welcome! 

 

[Brett Mason]

Looking at the stuff I've bought which has really paid off:

• Temperature controller for my fermentation cabinet.
• Decent immersion cooler - saves a lot of time on brew day particularly in summer when the water is warmer.
• Big ass gas burner + heat shroud - again saves time.
• Separate HLT and heat source - previously I used a single gas burner for the kettle and HLT so had to juggle  heavy pots while sparging. Also means you can get the main kettle heating up while you sparge to save time.
• Electric HLT with thermostat - So you can pre-heat your mash water on a timer to save time. Also great for making sure your sparge water is ready when you need it.
• A dedicated brew stand - avoids all the heavy lifting and working with things on the ground. I bet Farra could make something awesome.

Things I would like but don't have yet:

• Tap + trub filter in the kettle (currently use a siphon)
• Better burner stand/heat shroud for the kettle so less gas gets wasted up the sides.
• Bigger mash tun, something where I could control the temp and do step mashes.

 

[Vesku]

• Tap + trub filter in the kettle (currently use a siphon)

A tap is pretty easy to do with DIY-stuff, if you don't mind how it looks... I just used MAPP gas torch and silver to solder and a brass nibble to my kettle + cheap tap of course.

For a trub filter, just a piece of copper pipe that draws from the side of the kettle with 1.5mm holes. Add a whirlpool and you have almost trub free wort. Take a look of the picture attached. I use two cheap 17L kettles (from the warehouse) and gas at the moment. The nibble takes a copper L-piece in it tight enough to draw the kettle empty.

 

 

[bj]

Personally i would go for the Kegs and dispensing gear. The time and hassle it saves is great.

 no more collecting/storing/cleaning/sterilising/filling bottles (unless of course you want to bottle condition) and also, less time waiting for beer to carbonate and clear.

not to mention how cool it is to pour yourself (and mates) a pint of your own beer on draught!

 

[Vesku]

Just bought kegs my self, one more vote for that. No more guessing about the carbonation. I only do lagers and it has been a pain to try to get it right.

 

...I've a few Gorlsh bottles for sale, if anyone is interested....

 

HERMS/RIMS, is nice as well, but not worth of the money you have to spend. If you don't like spending on hobbies like I do ;)

 

An insulated electric kettle is my next move.

[Justin]

I'd be up for some grolsh bottles. PM me.

[Mike T]

Cheers fir the ideas guys, I'm shopping around for co2 bottles now for a keg set up.  Cylinder services has them for $400 for a 5kg bottle.  But hey it's for a good cause right?

[Vesku]

New CO2-bottles on Tarde Me

 

I started this hobby to save money, but I've ended up spending so much on equipment that I don't think that I can ever drink enough to start saving...

[Oliver]

once you start drinking down some beautiful all grain homebrewed beer you'll know its worth it, plus the equipment lasts ages.