[bluesman]

Mill?  I thought you just used two rocks and an oversized right arm.   

ROTFLMAO! 

[denny]

Mill?  I thought you just used two rocks and an oversized right arm.   

Back in the days of rcb, we used to talk about having your grains crushed by vestal virgins...

Actually, I put the grains in a bag on the driveway and drive my car over it. 

[gordonstrong]

Actually, I put the grains in a bag on the driveway and drive my car over it. 

That's funny.  About 20 years ago, I remember a local Chinese restaurant getting closed down by the health inspectors because that's how they were shredding their cabbage.  Yeah, you could do all this chopping and boiling and whatnot, or you could put it in a duffel bag and run it over with your Buick.  That's pretty much how it was reported on the news.

[thomasbarnes]

You guys should start a new thread. "Show us your ghetto brewery" 

It would add a whole new dimension to the term "Pimp your system . . . "

[thomasbarnes]

Should I be looking at temp control, regardless of basement good fortune? 

For most ales, it sounds like you've already got good temperature control. As long as the temperature doesn't swing too much and you're happy with the beers you're brewing, why change things?

If you're worried about temperature rising too much you can use a swamp cooler. If you're worried about temperature swings, you can created an insulated box to put over your carboy.

The only reason I see for going to the expense of extra appliances and temperature controls is if you're wanting to go beyond ales and brew styles where you need either a chilly fermentation temperature and/or a period of cold conditioning.

[timberati]

Actually, I put the grains in a bag on the driveway and drive my car over it. 

That's funny.  About 20 years ago, I remember a local Chinese restaurant getting closed down by the health inspectors because that's how they were shredding their cabbage.  Yeah, you could do all this chopping and boiling and whatnot, or you could put it in a duffel bag and run it over with your Buick.  That's pretty much how it was reported on the news.

Love it. Pragmatic? No, Buick with automatic.

[dmtaylor]

Let's talk mills - Denny, you've got a JSP right?  What about you Dave?

JSP?  What's that?

I absolutely refused to buy a grain mill due to the cost, but I did accept one as a gift for Christmas a couple years ago.  I am now the very happy owner of a BarleyCrusher malt mill, with premium aluminium body and 7-lb hopper.  But before that, I sincerely used a blender to "crush" all of my grains -- and I did this successfully for about 30 batches.  Works great, if you're super cheap like me.

I win.