Hi guys. I'm planning on a doing a minimash before making the step to full on AG. Looking at Daab's instructions I just want to check a couple of things before I start.
Is it ok to use 2 20L FVs for the lauter tun? I've got one that is scratched, so figured this would be fine for the top half, and have another with a tap in for the bottom.
Also, is there any problem with fermenting the 5L minimash in a 20L fermenter? Basically at this stage, when I'm so close to going full on AG I don't want to fork out for eqpt that I may never use again.
Prospective 1st minimash: questions.
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fivetide
Hi Ade. If you've got a boiler and a picnic box (or other MT) already, then a full-length all-grain is within easy reach if you use a batch-sparging calculator, like the one in DaaB's signature. It saves you worrying about a sparge arm or stuck grain bed and can get you on the way with little in the way of equipment.
In my very limited experience, decent ingredients, a sense of humour and plenty of time help a lot. I've always had the ingredients, but the other parts went missing occasionally.
In my very limited experience, decent ingredients, a sense of humour and plenty of time help a lot. I've always had the ingredients, but the other parts went missing occasionally.
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stevezx7r
I second what DaaB says, mini mashes are really only handy for those that already do AG i.e for trying a new recipe that they don't want to make into a full 5 gallon all day job.
Don't let me put you off though, if you have the gear then go ahead, otherwise I would say convert an FV to a boiler with a couple of heater elements, get a filter sorted for your grain/hops and either batch or fly sparge. The rest is the same as making kits etc. It is dead easy once you give it a go. Getting it spot on to what you aiming for and being consistant is the tricky bit
Don't let me put you off though, if you have the gear then go ahead, otherwise I would say convert an FV to a boiler with a couple of heater elements, get a filter sorted for your grain/hops and either batch or fly sparge. The rest is the same as making kits etc. It is dead easy once you give it a go. Getting it spot on to what you aiming for and being consistant is the tricky bit
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MightyMouth
Having done just 2 AG brews I think its definitely worth jumping straight in at the deep end and buy what you need to do a full size AG brew but I don't agree that a mini mash isn't useful for someone contemplating AG.
If you have limited funds and want to be absolutely sure that you will enjoy 5-7 hours of brewing, as opposed to maybe 2 hours as with kits and extract brews, it can give you the confidence you may need that AG is worth the initial extra outlay. Though once you taste the result if you are like me the time involved doesn't matter in the slightest as the final product is in a totally different league to kits and over time AG should pay for itself as the ingredients are cheaper.
If you have limited funds and want to be absolutely sure that you will enjoy 5-7 hours of brewing, as opposed to maybe 2 hours as with kits and extract brews, it can give you the confidence you may need that AG is worth the initial extra outlay. Though once you taste the result if you are like me the time involved doesn't matter in the slightest as the final product is in a totally different league to kits and over time AG should pay for itself as the ingredients are cheaper.