Equipment

friedcircuits

Hi,

I've been thinking of brewing beer for awhile and more recently getting ideas and looking at equipment etc.

I'm going to make a controller based on this http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/control-panel-part-1 with some modifications coming in at around €800.

My question is then what kettles etc do people use here? DIY'ed or buy purpose built electric kettles? I can't for the life of me see anywhere in Ireland that sells something like 20 gallon Blichmann BoilerMaker kettles. I think I'd prefer something like that instead of making my own and trying to source elements and fixings etc, or maybe people have made them?

randomname2005

That looks pretty hard core. Are you looking at going commercial?

friedcircuits

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119316522#Comment_119316522

Nope just home brew for myself! My interest would be electronics/electrics so I'd enjoy making that as much as the beer! The controller is handy its everything after I'm stuck for!

randomname2005

People starting out will use something like this to get the feel for it.

https://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/superior-beer-cider-starter-kit-includes-33lt-fermenters-p-968.html?cPath=4

Not a huge amount needed to get going and see if you like it

friedcircuits

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119316740#Comment_119316740

I got a similar kit a few years ago for wine - wasn't bad at all. I don't like wine but I made a good bit! I made gorse wine and elderflower wine. I'm definitely on for beer making!!

randomname2005

I just use equipment like that, and a big stock pot for boiling so hopefully someone will be along with more info on hardcore equipment.

basskebab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058253839/equipment

Most homebrew setups will be 30-40L, so getting a 70L kettle won't be that easy. There's some 70L AllinOne systems out there but they have built in controllers

Brouwland seem to do some kettles big enough

https://brouwland.com/en/non-electric-brew-kettles/11874-brewferm-homebrew-kettle-sst-70-l-with-ball-valve-45-x-45-cm.html

GetErBrewed are a Irish distributor for them, so maybe get in touch with them and see what they can source

https://www.geterbrewed.ie/brewferm-brewing-kettles/

friedcircuits

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119322119#Comment_119322119

Nice one basskebab, thanks. I'm thinking of a 3 kettle setup like on the guide from https://shop.theelectricbrewery.com/pages/building-your-brewery - so is that overkill then? Do you brew yourself, what do you use?

basskebab

Your overkill may differ from my overkill!

I have a 30L AIO similar to this

https://www.geterbrewed.ie/brew-monk-all-in-one-brewing-system/

That coupled with a temp controlled fermentation chamber gives me a setup I'm happy with and haven't changed in several years. I have good temp control for mashing and fermentation and this has made a big difference to the quality and consistency of beers I brew. I might at some stage move up to the 45L version of the AIO as the 30L limits the strength of beers I can brew. Anything above 8-9% has too much malt for a 30L vessel.

For me the hassle and space needed for a 3 vessel setup was too much. Don't have a shed and brew in my conservatory. Built a brewing trolley on wheels and can move my kit out there whenever I need to brew. Fermentation chamber is also easily movable and can be packed away when I'm not using it. So my major concerns when building my setup was space and portability. If you have a shed or dedicated space then you don't have these constraints.

I suppose it comes down to hobbies and where you want to spend your money. My main money burner is hi-fi separates and speakers. If you saw my setup there you'd probably say it was overkill! I'd rather spend money on that then brewing, so I have a decent mid-range brewing setup that doesn't change much and instead keep buying speakers I don't really need😜

Bogwoppit

No harm in being ambitious OP, fair play!

The scale of the setup you’re proposing is way bigger than the vast majority of home brewers use, either you’ll have to drink a lot of beer very quick or you’ll have to really think about what you’re brewing so that it has a long shelf life.

The upside of a large system is having to do less brews, the downside is that it’s a lot of beer to keep, you’ll be less likely to try different recipes as you will struggle for storage.

Why not build a smaller system? The equipment will be easier to source and the build process will be the same. You’ll have more manageable volumes and you can experiment.

I have a 50 litre pot and a 45 litre mash tun, I generally brew 24 litre batches, all low tech but I like to keep it simple. It easily produces more beer than I ever need.

friedcircuits

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119333829#Comment_119333829

All points noted and with the other comments over the last couple of days I've reviewed the size/idea!

basskebab pointed out space requirements - my setup will be in a corner of an insulated/heated shed.

Now I like beer but perhaps on reflection my original idea may have been a bit much!

Going with your 50l idea - I could get 3 of these https://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/50l-stainless-steel-stock-pot-p-4963.html and convert for electric brewing etc. So they'd be good for 25l batches with plenty of room for over boil etc?

A good portion of this build is my desire to build the control panel and therefore have the process semi automated.

Bogwoppit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119342692#Comment_119342692

I have one of those, I boil on the kitchen gas hob so I just put a tap and a bazooka screen on it, still looks like new after 100+ brews.