[dannyj621]

i currently have a kit from more beer bottling deluxe is what it was comes with bottling bucket 5 gallon boil pot spoon syphon steeping bags capper and some bottles.  But like i mentioned before in my post about all grain im trying to make a switch so what would be some cool things to get with my return.  I was thinking about buying a chest freezer and buying a temp controller and turning into a nice temp controlled enviornment or maybe a mash tun

[tygo]

If you want to spend some of those bucks to help you with an all grain setup the mashtun would be a good first step and then maybe a bigger brewpot so it's less of a hassle to do your boils.  Also, with a bigger boil you'd want to think about a wort chiller.  Out of those the pot is probably going to be the most expensive.

[dannyj621]

If you want to spend some of those bucks to help you with an all grain setup the mashtun would be a good first step and then maybe a bigger brewpot so it's less of a hassle to do your boils.  Also, with a bigger boil you'd want to think about a wort chiller.  Out of those the pot is probably going to be the most expensive.

thanks tygo i have the wort chiller already i was just thinking more a less of healthy fermentation so should i just use denny's setup for building a mash or do you have any sugestions

[homebrewgamecock]

I agree with the mashtun.  I would also check Craig's list for a freezer or even brewing equipment. 

[beerocd]

I think it's early in your brewing career for a fermentation chamber - KEGERATOR is the way to go.
How much are you letting us spend? Pumps, stainless steel rigs, pids, burners...

[dannyj621]

.How much are you letting us spend?

haha i mean $500

[tygo]

Denny's setup is the way to go.  Maybe add a fancy ball valve into the mix 

I got a 70 qt coleman xtreme on amazon for $36.  I  just checked that site and they don't currently have a good deal on them but I'm sure they will again.

I used these instructions to convert it, which were posted in another thread:

http://brewing.lustreking.com/gear/mashtun.html

Works great.

[bendbrew]

Denny's setup is the way to go.  Maybe add a fancy ball valve into the mix 

I got a 70 qt coleman xtreme on amazon for $36.  I  just checked that site and they don't currently have a good deal on them but I'm sure they will again.

I used these instructions to convert it, which were posted in another thread:

http://brewing.lustreking.com/gear/mashtun.html

Works great.

I just bought the same cooler.  Thanks for the link regarding how to convert it!

[majorvices]

Temp control will make the biggest impact and improvement on your beer. Full boil and outdoor burner are probably next. Then all grain. FTR you can make a MT on the cheap - http://hbd.org/cascade/dennybrew/

[Thirsty_Monk]

I would go keging before going all grain.

[denny]

thanks tygo i have the wort chiller already i was just thinking more a less of healthy fermentation so should i just use denny's setup for building a mash or do you have any sugestions

I agree with you.  Whether you brew extract or AG, your beers will improve if you can control their fermentation environment.

[denny]

Denny's setup is the way to go.  Maybe add a fancy ball valve into the mix 

FWIW, I found that in my setup a ball valve actually made it perform worse.

[beerocd]

I agree with you.  Whether you brew extract or AG, your beers will improve if you can control their fermentation environment.

What if he's got a basement that holds fairly steady temps already? Granted you're not "controlling" it; but if you're already at suitable temps down there, wouldn't a different purchase be in order, maybe? If he's fermenting next to the couch while watching TV then I would agree; but we don't know his whole process.

[denny]

What if he's got a basement that holds fairly steady temps already? Granted you're not "controlling" it; but if you're already at suitable temps down there, wouldn't a different purchase be in order, maybe? If he's fermenting next to the couch while watching TV then I would agree; but we don't know his whole process.

And what if he doesn't?  Neither of us knows the answer to that.  In any case, I still think that fermentation control is the single biggest improvement you can make to beer quality...bigger even that switching to AG.  And when you do switch to AG, you already have the temp control covered.

[beerocd]

What if .....; but we don't know his whole process......

And what if he doesn't?  Neither of us knows the answer to that.

Ah, you're just trolling for a fight now.   

I'll start another thread on Ferm Temp. It's interesting, and seemingly underdiscussed.