[a10t2]

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

Clearly you don't have an account at Northern Brewer.

[beerocd]

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

Clearly you don't have an account at Northern Brewer.

Nope. I only went when the other boards would cross post links to show what was going on over there. Pumps, rigs, chillers, burners seem to get the most attention. I put a poll in the Fermentation section to see what most people do here.

[dannyj621]

i actually dont have a basement, and i do struggle with temp control my house gets very cold and i worry about my beer i mean i have some loot to play with no worries

[beerocd]

i actually dont have a basement, and i do struggle with temp control my house gets very cold and i worry about my beer i mean i have some loot to play with no worries

I guess a chest freezer is cheaper than a new house.

[dannyj621]

haha i guess so

[yugamrap]

With $500, you should be able to go all grain AND get a handle on temperature control.  A Denny-style MLT can be built for under $50.  A temperature controller can be had for $50-$100, and you should be able to find a good used freezer or fridge on Craig's List for well under the $350 you'd have left.

[Thirsty_Monk]

...and you should be able to find a good used freezer or fridge on Craig's List for well under the $350 you'd have left.

I bought new dent and scratch fridge from Sears for $320. You can buy new chest freezer from $150.
So if you would be buying anything "pre-owned" for more than $150, give it a second thought.

[theDarkSide]

I bought my 2 chest freezers at Lowes.  A 5 cu ft for fermentation ( $168 I think ) and 7.2 cu ft for $229 ( kegerator ).  I also went to the post office and got one of the moving packets, because there was a 10% off Lowes coupon in there.

I believe fermenation control was the most important upgrade to my process.  Being able to dial in the exact temp I want, being able to raise for D-rest and crash for dropping the yeast all with a touch of a button is great.  My fermentation chamber is the 5 cu ft chest freezer ( I typically only have one going at a time ), Ranco Dual-stage Temp Controller I got prewired from Morebeer.com and the Fermwarp taped to the inside of the freezer with electrical tape.  Works like a charm.

[dean]

I'd look on  http://craigslist.org/  select your state in the right hand column and go from there.  Look (search) for a chest freezer, I wouldn't spend more than $50 to $100 on that, then put "brewing" in the search and see what you find... maybe you'll find more stuff you want.  Go to a department store and pick up a cooler for your mashtun... about $16 to $50 depending on size and make etc.  Buy some tubing, an 8 to 15 gallon stockpot... $100 to $200.  Get a stainless steel canestick for siphoning... ~ $12.  Get some Starsan... ~ $17.  Get some LME (so you can still brew that if you want), get 10 to 20 pounds of base grain, a pound or two of crystal, and maybe another pound of specialty malt.  Get some yeast while you're at it.  As has been said... valves etc. are "not" required unless you want them.  Get a turkey frier... if you buy a turkey frier kit, you don't need to buy another brewkettle (stockpot) for a while and that will save you more because you also get the burner with the kit.  Get at least one 20 pound propane tank.  Get some whirlflock tablets.  Don't forget the Temperature Control.

Hmmm... thats about it off the top of my head, and you should have money leftover even.  Oh.... one more thing... get a Water Report... another ~$22 to $25 by the time you include shipping.     Once you run out of those ingredients you'll probably know exactly what malts you want anyway. 

[euge]

I like the idea of a freezer and a controller Danny. If you shop/look around for used or new you should have enough left over for a kettle and a burner. Or you might get lucky on Craigs list. I believe Ferm control is right up there with sanitation. You can do everything right and ruin it with improper or swinging fermentation temps

A keg setup without a kegerator will still run ya $150 more or less new. 

My suggestion is to not jump the gun on anything. Plan very carefully. How much you want to normally brew and serve at one time etc.

If you get lucky and buy with discretion- you might be able to get everything you need for $500. Unlikely- but I've heard stories.

Best of luck.