[chargerssb]

I have a b-day coming up and my wife is asking me what I may want.  I was thinking of some new piece of equipment, but I am not sure what might be the best thing to get.  Right now I have a 5 gallon carboy, 6.5 gallon carboy, 6.5 plastic fermenter, bottling bucket, immersion chiller, 5 gallon brew kettle, and all the basics (hydrometer, thermometer etc.)  As of now I do extract brews, steeping specialty grains.  I want to move up to all grain, but don't quite have the room for the extra equipment (cooler mash/lauter tun).  Any suggestions?

[tschmidlin]

Start with a big boil kettle and a burner, something around 15+ gallons.  That will let you do 10 gallons at a time with a full boil, and you can keep doing extract until you decide you have the space for all-grain.

Or since space is a concern, an 8+ gallon pot so you can do full boils on 5 gallons.  You'll probably want a burner for that too unless you have a serious stove.  You'll need a bigger pot when you move to all grain anyway, but it's not wasted with your current setup.

Either that or fermentation temperature control would be my picks.

[Norm!]

+1 on the temp control for fermentation, actually I would start there, and then go to a bigger boil.

[tygo]

If you decide on the new pot definitely try to go for at least a 10 gallon one.  Like Tom said 15 gallons would be better.  Just gives you more flexibility down the road.

[Hokerer]

Something to take care of fermentation temperature control would be my first place to start

[maxieboy]

+1 on the temp control for fermentation, actually I would start there, and then go to a bigger boil.

+1 Then a good roller mill. A little cheap 'n easy later, you're an all grainer!

[Beer Monger]

So... how do you guys control your fermentation temperature? 

I currently use the method of putting my carboys in a water bath w/ an aquarium heater. 

[tygo]

So... how do you guys control your fermentation temperature? 

I currently use the method of putting my carboys in a water bath w/ an aquarium heater. 

I have a 7.5 cubic foot chest freezer equipped with a digital temp controller.

[denny]

So... how do you guys control your fermentation temperature? 

I currently use the method of putting my carboys in a water bath w/ an aquarium heater. 

Exactly what I do.

[Hokerer]

So... how do you guys control your fermentation temperature? 

I currently use the method of putting my carboys in a water bath w/ an aquarium heater. 

Mine never seem to need warming but rather cooling down.  I do that with a variation on the "son of fermentation chiller" thingy

[Beer Monger]

So... how do you guys control your fermentation temperature? 

I currently use the method of putting my carboys in a water bath w/ an aquarium heater. 

Exactly what I do.

OK.  I figured that was a somewhat common method.   

[maxieboy]

Dedicated fermenting fridge with Ranco controller and fabbed thermowell utilizing a carboy cap. One port for the thermowell, one for the airlock.

[tschmidlin]

Dedicated fermenting fridge with Ranco controller and fabbed thermowell utilizing a carboy cap. One port for the thermowell, one for the airlock.

don't quite have the room for the extra equipment (cooler mash/lauter tun).  Any suggestions?

No room for a cooler, but room for a fermenting fridge?

[maxieboy]

Looks like I was answering Beer Monger's question. You know, thread drift, stream of consciousness posting, etc. ... Also looks like I replied to the OP earlier on. So,     

[tschmidlin]

Looks like I was answering Beer Monger's question. You know, thread drift, stream of consciousness posting, etc. ... Also looks like I replied to the OP earlier on. So,     

Sticking to your story?