Going All Grain for ~$200

[Goldberg]

Alright, so I'm sick of extract after 5 batches, it feels like learning to ride a bike with oval training wheels. After buying my first set of equipment I noticed that I made several poor decisions based on inexperience with the process and I'm in the same spot now, so instead of jumping the gun, I'm going to ask: What would you guys consider "optimal" for that price range.

Relevant equipment that I already have: 30Q Italian kettle, King Kooker burner (these were both regrettable mistakes, in hindsight, I would have gone for a NB Kettle and a more efficient burner.)

Also, how helpful is a refractometer in comparison to a hydrometer for AG brewing?

Thanks in advance.

[Petedadink]

The Cooler mashtun HLt would be reasonable choice. All stainless setup is nice but not needed. Plus later on you can sell the coolers to someone just getting into A/G . Refracometers are nice. I love using mine. The only benifit is insted of needing 6 oz to take a reading you only need a few drops.

[Steelers&Beer]

for $200, i would buy a cooler mash tun and a kegging system. you have a big pot and a burner...how much more do you need?

[foomench]

The refractometer is one of my favorite gadgets, but I made good beer for years without it. Ditto what S&B et al said.-Eric

[Goldberg]

Awesome, so it is that simple.
Thanks guys.

[Mylo]

Alright, so I'm sick of extract after 5 batches, it feels like learning to ride a bike with oval training wheels.

I understand the desire to go to all grain. A large portion of us do eventually go there. However, if you are not ready, you are just going to trade in your oval wheels for some triangular ones. Are you happy with the extract brews that you have been making? If not, then you should spend a little more time on some basics, like sanitation and ferm temp control. If you don't have them down, then you are just going to find yourself as frustrated as ever, with a few more pieces of gear.

You can already do the full boil - that's good. Get (or make) yourself a nice JZ chiller. You will need it later. +1 on the cooler as the next purchase.

I'm not trying to piss on your parade. I'm just of the opinion that with good fundementals - you can make make really good beer with extract. Make sure your process is dialed in first, for the best chance at success.

I see the real benefits of AG are 1) additional options for grains that you cannot find extract for, 2) additional control over fermentibilty, and 3) because it's cool and we can. That's right. We can.


Mylo

[foomench]

I see the real benefits of AG are 1) additional options for grains that you cannot find extract for, 2) additional control over fermentibilty, and 3) because it's cool and we can. That's right. We can.

I agree with all of those, and emphatically agree with #3. My favorite part of the brewing process is the magic of the mash, and drawing out that sweet wort.

If you can spread out the equipment cost (which I can't because I'm always buying more), all grain is cheaper too. I get in on a Denver area group buy and 55# sacks of grain run $35-45, shipped.

-Eric

[Mylo]

Oh, yeah, the reduced cost per batch. Good catch, foomench. I forgot about that one. The savings is significant - even if you don't buy in bulk. My AG batches cost half of what they used to. If I ever finally pull the trigger on a mill, I will buy my grain in bulk and further reduce the cost per batch.

But as it has been pointed out in several threads - the ROI is several years once you factor in all the additional brewing toys you are going to buy.


Mylo