I've been brewing off/on for about 7-8 years now and finally moved into a house with more space (hell yeah). I want to start doing all-grain batches and was hoping for some advice on the best (cheapest, and most versatile) all-grain method. I don't want an all-in-one system like Grainfather, but I'm curious if people have thoughts on traditional 3-vessel vs. RIMS vs. HERMS vs. BIAB. I built a keezer years ago so everything already goes into kegs.
I want the future system to be able to:
Traditional 3-Vessel:
BIAB:
Personally, unless I'm missing an obvious synergy with RIMS (can't see how unless I give up sparging), it sounds like I should go for a 10 gal SS vessel for my MT, and then I could choose between traditional or HERMS. I'm confident others have gone through this same process so I'm curious to hear what you guys chose.
Last thought: I will also need to get a wort chiller regardless of whichever option I choose - anyone have thoughts on using it for double duty (HERMS exchanger + wort chiller)? Obviously there is a sanitation/cleaning risk but otherwise it seems pretty doable.
I want the future system to be able to:
- Brew 5 gal batches up to an ABV of say 10%
- Able to be automated w/out needing to purchase new vessels (this is a just-for-fun future project, and I don't want to pay for automation right now, just don't want to need to buy another mash tun if in the future I decide I want to add some temperature indicators/controllers etc.)
- Not crazy expensive
- I plan to fly sparge with all methods except BIAB
- No plans to ever upgrade to 10 gal batches, nor do things like partigyle brewing
- Don't want to weld anything
Traditional 3-Vessel:
- Have: a 5 gal SS brew pot that could become my HLT
- Purchase: a 10 gal vessel for my MT
- Purchase: an 8-10 gal SS brew pot
- Purchase: two burners (HLT & brew pot). Will likely choose nat. gas since I have a convenient hookup in my garage already
- Have: one MKII pump w/stainless head & plenty of hose/fittings
- Purchase: a 10 gal SS vessel for my MT, and would direct heat with a nat. gas burner
- Purchase: an 8-10 gal SS vessel for my brew pot
- Purchase: two nat. gas burners
- Frankly, I feel like I need a third burner otherwise I don't know how I would heat the sparge water
- Have: a 5 gal SS brew pot that could become my HLT/HERMS exchanger
- Purchase: Coil for HERMS exchanger
- Have: one MKII pump w/stainless head & plenty of hose/fittings
- Purchase: an 8-10 gal SS vessel for my brew pot
- Purchase: a 10 gal vessel for my MT
BIAB:
- Purchase: a 10 gal vessel for my MT/brew pot
- Purchase: the bag
Personally, unless I'm missing an obvious synergy with RIMS (can't see how unless I give up sparging), it sounds like I should go for a 10 gal SS vessel for my MT, and then I could choose between traditional or HERMS. I'm confident others have gone through this same process so I'm curious to hear what you guys chose.
Last thought: I will also need to get a wort chiller regardless of whichever option I choose - anyone have thoughts on using it for double duty (HERMS exchanger + wort chiller)? Obviously there is a sanitation/cleaning risk but otherwise it seems pretty doable.