New Equipment Purchase

[Island Nation]

Greetings and Happy New Year To All

I have a fairly economical set up that has served me pretty well for the last 10 years or so. I've been brewing about 20 years in total. Right now I would like brewing to be a bit easier than it has been these past years. I presently mash in a converted Sanke, heat my sparge water in a 40 qt pot that I also use as my boil pot. I dump my sparge water into a Phil's, and fly sparge. Gravity is the way I do it and I'm on the kitchen stove. I'm going to be going outdoors because I'm in the process of ruining my wife's, ur uh our second stove. Plus with my sparge I'm not able to maintain a constant temp b/c I have to heat the H20 and them dump it into the Phil's. Even when I insulate it still isn't always sufficient. Then after the boil the wort is dumped back into plastic since my kettle does not have a drain valve. Hot side aeration has been an issue at times. I brew five gal batches.

I think since I have to go outside anyway it's time to trade up, but exactly how or tow what I'm not entirely sure. I was considering the B3 1500 with SMART but I don't know if I have to do that. The 1550 looks good too but it might be out of my price range. I wonder if there are other places I might look at. Besides More Beer I've only seen Sabco, and PICO. Now for budget. After consulting the Treasurer (guess who that is?) I'd say my budget is in the area of $2000, not more than $3000 (w/shipping). I'm really not sure what type of set up might be best (gravity vs. pumps, RIMS vs HERMS vs SMART, and any more bells and whistles that might make brewing more efficient). Plus I'm not sure if it's best for me to go with a tiered gravity set up, use pumps, or go with some hybrid version like the B3-1500. Pros and cons on that comparison would be greatfully appreciated as would any advice on what to do. I am not a handy DIY guy.

[Push Eject]

First of all, welcome!

Second: aw hell, that's Pandora herself you're whipping up there, Island!

Okay, I'm just going throw this out there because you have real money to spend: Put off your purchase for a little while... say a month or so. Then join a homebrew club.

Brew with them, talk to them, brew together and use as many different systems as you can. When I finally did that my eyes were opened to things that you just don't get looking at a webpage.

There are pluses and minuses to every system, so it comes down to you, the brewer. What makes the most sense to you, you know? If you make it to this coast you're more than welcome to come brew on the Push Eject household rig!

Good luck!

Push Eject

[Island Nation]

Hey "Push", Thanks for the instant feedback. Much appreciated. As it happens I am a member of my local club-Secretary in fact-Homebrewers of Staten Island (HOSI). Have been for almost as many years as I've brewed. I have goten advice from the guys in the past and as it happens am re-opening the topic again with them. You are absolutely spot on with the advice to do so. Thanks. Where's Lancaster Northern Cali or Southern? My Sis-In-Law lives in Marin so if you're not too far from her ya never know. I appreciate the invite at any rate. In the meantime any armchair advice in response to my questions might help to keep me thinking. Thanks man.

If it ain't beer don't drink it.

Island

[Homegrown Hops]

I am gunna have to go ahead and disagree with mr cautious (Push Eject) on this one. I would grab for that brass ring since your "boss" has cleared you up to $3K. I suggest celebrating 20 years of homebrewing on a new 20g system. Of course adding anything that you will possibly need like:

1) Wort CHiller
2) SMART option
3) No pants

http://morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=15256

Definitely do all the rest of the stuff that Push suggests like talk to others about brewing and brew with them. Lastly drink plenty of homebrew and be happy that your wife is cool with you cuttiing down the duckets for brew goodies.

Get out to this coast so you can see what the Binford 6000 can do, just dont drop the mash paddle at Push's place.


CHeers,
HH

[Push Eject]

"Island", you're in with good company out there!

Okay, I'll take a position; two in fact.
1. Build your own HERMS. I know, I know... you don't wanna. Cool. I don't blame you -- it's a pant-load of work.
2. A B3 sculpture will serve you well. Really well. Get the SMART upgrades (in fact get all the upgrades) and you'll thank yourself as your back and knees get weaker and your mind more feeble (or more pickled, like mine). Although I've never used a Sabco, I know many from the greenboard who do and they swear by it.

The next question, however, is how "not DIY" are you? Could you hammer together a stand? Or do you have a welder friend (perhaps from the club) who would put one together for you...? If so your horizons (and budget) can expand considerably!

#1 recommendation: get a pump (or two!). When I moved from gravity-fed to a pump-driven system I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. EVERYTHING about brewing just got so much easier (and probably safer too).

Finally, I promise you... you're not going to believe me... but I promise you, whatever you do... prepare to go to 10 gallon batches. Once you have the ease of automation at your hop-stained fingertips you will want the ability to brew 10 gallons. Maybe not all the time, but still...

Cheers,
Push Eject

[Push Eject]

Get out to this coast so you can see what the Binford 6000 can do, just dont drop the mash paddle at Push's place.

Oh damn! It's just no fun when someone responds while you're responding and then you have to re-respond to say, "Oh damn!"

Hugs and Kisses, HH
Push Eject

[bub]

I say even though you aren't diy get the pots (or converted kegs) build your own stand (gravity or pump) and buy a conical with all that cash!
BUB

[Island Nation]

Wow Push and HH thanks again for your help. Hey Homegrown the wife said okay but she never said break the bank, which unfortunately a 2050 would do especially with shipping. Push man I'm soooo not DIY it's not even funny. Seriously I can hammer and nail and do small shit but when it comes to bigger stuff, well let's just say that even after reading the directions I still get it wrong sometimes. It's a wonder I can brew decent beer. Getting something welded is definitely a consideration and after consulting some of my local guys I may just do that. Brewing indoors with low ceilings is a maybe but I'd have to vent real well and protect the ceilings. Propane is simplest but indoors in my basement it's a real concern, so I'd have to do the needed plumbing for nat gas. Ive ruled it out in the past and I'll take another look see at the basement option but I think outdoors will give me some more flexibility. Downsides are protecting the stuff from the crappy NY weather and pollution. Also at 47 even though I'm in good shape and all I'm not wild about lugging stuff up a step ladder. I may go for 10 gallon batches. It's been a dream. Even if I don't always do 10 gals it would be nice to do them occasionally. Nice thing about the B3's come with their backing which is important but I'd like other options before I make my move. Thanks for the advice guys. The Binford 6000 control panel looks postively fantastic. Beam me up Mr. Sulu!