1K to spend

[rydia131]

Hey guys!!

So as the title suggests, i have a thousand bucks to spend to get into the all grain brewing game. The only other stipulation is i would like to be able to keg the beer to keep from bottling again. So i will need a base kegging setup minus the fridge for storage.

So if you had to start from scratch with your initial brewing setup what would you spend your money on?

Thanks so much for any and all help with this!!!

 

[murphyslaw]

I'd order a keg kit from keg connection for however many taps you want. I'd probably get the taprite regulator and the interap flow control taps.

Aside from that, I'd focus on fermentation. A fridge with a controller would be #1 on my list. Then things like stir plates, aeration.

If there was money left after that I'd get a grain mill.

 

[doug293cz]

Good suggestions from @murphyslaw . I would add that to help your budget, start with BIAB (brew in a bag) for your all grain brewing. All you need to make the wort is a pot (preferably 2.5 to 3 X the volume of the batch size you want to brew), a bag the size of the pot, and a heat source. A pulley and means to suspend it (I use a step ladder) makes handling the bag of wet grain much simpler.

You can find new 7 cu ft chest freezers (that make good fermentation chambers and keezers) for ~$200 on sale. Used equipment can be as low as free. Inkbird ITC308 (~$35) temp controllers are plug-n-play and work well for both keezers and fermentation chambers.

Brew on

 

[mikeschmidt69]

For kegging I would get a dual head regulator or a single head that can have a second head added later.

Fully agree about ensuring you can control fermentation temperature. Refrigerator/freezer+cheap heat source+inkbird

If you have enough money left over I recommend the electric all-n-one systems (grainfather, robobrew) to make your brew day easier.

 

[homebrewer_99]

What you should do first is put together a list of what you NEED to buy based on your method of brewing...then try to find it used (at least 50% off new).

You can end up with twice as much (or more) equipment for the same amount of money.

I've bought out (everything they had) several brewers equipment. I paid one guy $525. I itemized all the equipment, went through home brew supply catalogs and priced it out (new price) at over $1400.

When you buy out a brewer you always end up with more things than you want or ever need. These "leftovers" are good for gifting or selling to other brewers.

I found this right n the next page: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/complete-all-grain-setup-for-sale.650304/

I'm not recommending you should buy it, just make sure you take a look at all available deals.

 

[Sparkncode]

For kegging I would get a dual head regulator or a single head that can have a second head added later.

Better to get a standard single output regulator for the tank then multiple secondary regulators as needed.
You can add the secondary ones later and they are less bulkey and cheaper and just connect to a 50PSI feed from the main tank regulator.
I use micromatic secondaries. Very conveniant for different beer styles.


I would think carefully if considering the all on one grainfather, robobrew etc as they do have limitations on the anount of grain you can mash etc.
for me if you go bigger with BIAB and start needing pulleys to lift the bag its better to use a more tradational system.

 

[beernutz]

Keg Connection 4 faucet kegerator kit $200: https://www.kegconnection.com/4-faucet-basic-homebrew-kegerator-kit/

7 cf chest freezer at HD $230: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Frigidaire-7-2-cu-ft-Chest-Freezer-in-White-FFFC07M1TW/301611234

Keg Connection 4 pack ball lock corney kegs $190: https://www.kegconnection.com/four-...llon-ball-lock-pepsi-style-for-homebrew-soda/

Inkbird temp controller $35:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011296704/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

wood and hardware to build a collar for freezer $20 est

15 gallon Concord pot w/spigot $130: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3JTGET/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Bayou classic propane burner $50: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000291GBQ/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Grand Slam 4 piece package BIAB bag w/ double pulley, $40: http://biabbags.webs.com/

Total: $895

I am assuming you have some way now to control fermentation temps, something to ferment in, and some way chill your wort. You might want to invest in a grain mill like the cereal killer ($100 at https://www.homebrewing.org/Cereal-...MI_bCN5p-X2wIVF9tkCh1G-w4IEAQYASABEgKpEPD_BwE).

Total $995 for a 10 gallon BIAB setup including adjustable grain mill with 4 tap keezer. You can upgrade the cobra taps to Perlicks or equivalent later on. Since I didn't include a C02 tank I'd advise looking on Craigslist. I found a full 20# tank for $50 on Craigslist so those don't have to be budget busters. Pumps don't have to be a necessity with BIAB but are nice to have and come in a range of prices so consider that option as well.

What do I win?

 

[brew703]

I agree w/Doug- go BIAB- only one vessel is needed. Kettle plus bag prob $300 or so depending on size and where you get it.

The rest can be spent on your kegging equipment (taps, kegs, regulator, hoses, connections etc). Cost adds up quickly.

I also vote for the Intertap stainless flow controls. It's what i have and i like them alot. If you are going to run two taps, a dual regulator is helpful. I have one 10lb co2 tank for running my two taps and a 5 lb tank i use for closed transfers.

 

[day_trippr]

[...]i have a thousand bucks to spend to get into the all grain brewing game. [...]

"And so it begins"

 

[Bassman2003]

I would first decide how you want to brew All Grain. I used a cooler with electric elements for the boil for many years. I then tried BIAB but did not like it so I built a setup around an induction burner/electric heating element for hot liquor. The brew style determines the equipment needed.

 

[mongoose33]

If you know what you want as equipment, you might check out Craigslist. It sounds like you've brewed before, so you may be able to figure this out ahead of time.

I've seen some kegging equipment on sale on CL that is pretty cheap; it's all I can do to not buy it and try to resell at a profit. Don't know where you're from, but it's worth a gander, and maybe for a couple weeks or so.

As Doug notes above, it's not a lot to get into the BIAB approach. Let me suggest you also consider getting a grain mill so you can control the crush, as well as save money on bulk grain (which will end up paying for the mill). A good mill is the Cereal Killer which can be had for $99.

You can build a keezer with one faucet and leave room to expand as your needs/wants dictate. I started with 3 on my keezer, eventually expanded to 5.

 

[wilserbrewer]

I’m a big fan of electric brewing even in its most basic form. Perhaps save a couple hundred by searching a used refrigerator and eliminating a propane burner and tank.

A 20 amp 120v circuit is needed at a minimum, two 120 v circuits is better, and a 240v circuit is best.

Brew hardware sells a hot rod heat stick that is a handy device. You can start with cheaper manual control and expand in the future with a more complex system as you like.

Worth looking into imo.

 

[mikeschmidt69]

I would think carefully if considering the all on one grainfather, robobrew etc as they do have limitations on the anount of grain you can mash etc.
for me if you go bigger with BIAB and start needing pulleys to lift the bag its better to use a more tradational system.

This is partially true. I have a 20L Braumeister that is limited to 6kg of grain in the malt pipe but you can do multiple mashes. I recently made a 9% Imperial Stout by double mashing with 9kg (2x4.5kg) of grain. If I wanted more there was room for an additional 3kg before jumping to a 3rd mash. Multiple mashes do increase the length of the brew day but I can work on other stuff around the house while mashing.

With regards to pulley. I always use one to lift the malt pipe as I like the system up on a table for easier transfer to fermenter and it's easier to use a pulley than climb a later.

 

[Setsumi]

In my currency, assuming 1k us$ will be 12+k. I would start with 2 very large pots, 75 to 99lt and 3 or 4 20lt sankey kegs. (Yes about what I have). Plus a pump, mashtun can gravity feed to bk and pump. If there is some left of the 1k I would electrify with as much automation on strike water as possible.