[Will's Swill]

OK, perhaps something that will fit.  I can't recommend more highly getting a bottle tree with a sulfiter on top.  Makes bottling fun.

[Beer Monger]

OK, perhaps something that will fit.  I can't recommend more highly getting a bottle tree with a sulfiter on top.  Makes bottling fun.

I couldn't imagine bottling without one.  After power-spray cleaning my bottles, that tree & santizer sprayer make it so easy.  Just pull it over next to you and grab each bottle as you need it. 

[euge]

Earlier I was going to suggest a kegging setup, but didn't because this might involve a small fridge. However, bottling would largely become a thing of the past.

[Bret]

Earlier I was going to suggest a kegging setup, but didn't because this might involve a small fridge. However, bottling would largely become a thing of the past.

I truly believe that kegging saved my home brewing career.  I hate bottling.

[JKL]

Earlier I was going to suggest a kegging setup, but didn't because this might involve a small fridge. However, bottling would largely become a thing of the past.

I truly believe that kegging saved my home brewing career.  I hate bottling.

I bottled a batch last December.  1st time in 4 years. I guess I'd forgotten how hard it was?  It took almost 2 hrs just to clean/sanitize the bottles before I even started to bottle.  Plus, I didn't wear gloves and between the water, sanitizer, and cold weather my skin cracked so bad they almost bled.  Never again! 
-J.K.L.

[bluesman]

Do you have a stir plate?

There was a recent article I think in BYO about apartment all-grain brewing. I'll look it up and get back to you.

[chargerssb]

Tons of great suggestions.  I like the idea of a bigger pot and burner.  I saw this on Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-1195-Stainless-Steel-Turkey-Fryer/dp/B000291GCU/ref=dp_cp_ob_ol_title_1  Would this be something I could drill a hole in and add a weldless spigot to?

However, even that might be a bit pricey right now.  What temperature controls would you all recommend (Ranco, Johnson)?  I could at least use that in the time being to monitor what temp it is fermenting at (as of now I don't have anything, not even one of those sticker things).  A stir plate is also a good idea.  I really do want to move to all grain soon though.  We'll see if I can talk her into the turkey fryer above and I could do the brew in a bag method since I wouldn't have a mash/lauter tun.  

[bluesman]

If you have or can get BYO's November 2009 addition there's a great article on Small-Space Brewing Tips plus Build a Countertop All-Grain System.

http://www.byo.com/component/resource/article/Issues/266-November%202009/1987-countertop-brewing-system

[jamminbrew]

Do you have a stir plate?

There was a recent article I think in BYO about apartment all-grain brewing. I'll look it up and get back to you.

I kind of rather enjoy the bottling process. Turn on some good tunes (loud as you can), pour a glass or three of your favorite brew, and just think of how good it's all gonna taste afterwards! For me, it's a labor of love.

[beveragebob]

Being it is your b'day.....and she asked.... I would look at all the responses of equipment upgrades, search around for the best prices....add it all up and put a "wish package" together with a bottom line price she is willing to spend. Of course I'd shmooze her and ask/tell her that I would brew any type of beverage that she so desired(be prepared to throw a bunch of stuff at her like "Honey Wheat, Chocolate Raspberry Stout, Honey Mead....etc....you get my drift

[Kirk]

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

Along that train of thought, for me, one of the biggest helps is having a place to store beer in interim stages of development, so that I can keep brewing fairly often, and have the patience to let beers develop like they should.  So, a keezer, or fermenteezer, comes to mind.

[maxieboy]

No room for a cooler? Is this your house? 

[Will's Swill]

Earlier I was going to suggest a kegging setup, but didn't because this might involve a small fridge. However, bottling would largely become a thing of the past.

I truly believe that kegging saved my home brewing career.  I hate bottling.

I bottled a batch last December.  1st time in 4 years. I guess I'd forgotten how hard it was?  It took almost 2 hrs just to clean/sanitize the bottles before I even started to bottle.  Plus, I didn't wear gloves and between the water, sanitizer, and cold weather my skin cracked so bad they almost bled.  Never again! 
-J.K.L.

You must not have been using a bottle tree and sulfiter!  Last weekend I sanitized well over 100 bottles in about 10 minutes.

I actually keg and bottle, but I understand the bottling angst.  I gave up bottling after my second or third batch and switched to kegging because I hated the bottling so much.  But my nasty avocado green brewing fridge was sacrificed when moving in with SWMBO and I had to switch back to bottles.  She banished me from my tried and untrue bleach-and-bottles-in-the-bathtub-then-rinse-forever method of sanitizing, so I was dragged kicking and screaming into the world of Star San.  A new brewing buddy (i.e. he was new to brewing) helps out occasionally at a winery and he suggested we borrow their bottle tree and sulfiter.  We also used his capper and a bottling bucket that doubles as my MLT.

Holy frijoles, Batman!    Bottling is a snap now!  Turned out my capper sucked (his was great), Star San is the greatest thing since sliced bread, and a bottling bucket is a hell of a lot easier than trying to maintain a siphon whilst filling bottles.  I have since purchased a True kegorator and some additional kegs, but I still actually enjoy bottling.  So I do both. YMMV.

[chargerssb]

No room for a cooler? Is this your house? 

Ha ha, that is my house.  How did you get that picture..lol.  No, we live in a condo with a tiny one car garage (the car barely fits).  The closet I keep my brewing equipment is pretty small and already getting full.  Not to mention all the stuff we have around for our 5 month old son, I need to attempt to keep the brewing equipment to a somewhat manageable size.  If I get the 32 quart turkey fryer w/burner I can get rid of my old pot.  So the only equipment I would be adding on would be the burner which I could store outside.

[Pinski]

 What temperature controls would you all recommend (Ranco, Johnson)?  I could at least use that in the time being to monitor what temp it is fermenting at (as of now I don't have anything, not even one of those sticker things).

I have the Johnson Controls digital, found it on Amazon for about $70. Love it. Easy to set up and works like a champ.