Do you need a thermostat?

[Shoit]

Try to get a list of things to get started with all grain. Looking at the 10 gallon kit from H&G. Going for the twin element - do i need a thermostat?

Kev

[Parva]

Try to get a list of things to get started with all grain. Looking at the 10 gallon kit from H&G. Going for the twin element - do i need a thermostat?

Kev

Nope, save your money and go for the twin-element setup instead. I never bothered with a thermostat when I got mine, it just wouldn't get used.

[alefric]

I have a stat on mine but rarely use it.....as Parva says save your money, a 5 gallon brew won't boil over in a 10 G bin running at full tilt and if you're using it as an HLT just turn off one or both elements when you reach you're chosen temperature.

[Horden Hillbilly]

Try to get a list of things to get started with all grain. Looking at the 10 gallon kit from H&G. Going for the twin element - do i need a thermostat?

Kev

For the boil no. However a thermostat is handy, but not essential for maintaining the sparge water temp. I have a 5 gallon bucket with a thermostat fitted as a hlt.

[Shoit]

Thanks for the advice - I'm thinking of getting the following kit:

33l container with element and thermostat as a HLT
10 gallon boiler with double element
Brupaks mash tun
Immersion chiller adapted for use with 10 gallon boiler.

I already have all the gear for kit brews. Anything else I should be thinking about?

Kev

[Parva]

Sounds like you have it all sewn up to me.

[Flaming Barrel]

Why not build the kit yourself? Should save yourself money, and have satisfaction of DIY. There are plenty of threads in the equipment section. Also when it goes wrong on a brewday(my boiler packed up recently), you'll know how to fix it.

[Kristoff]

Thanks for the advice - I'm thinking of getting the following kit:
33l container with element and thermostat as a HLT
10 gallon boiler with double element
Brupaks mash tun
Immersion chiller adapted for use with 10 gallon boiler.
Kev

Good compromise, I think a thermostat on a HLT is very sensible, going to fit one to mine eventually

[Shoit]

Why not build the kit yourself? Should save yourself money, and have satisfaction of DIY. There are plenty of threads in the equipment section. Also when it goes wrong on a brewday(my boiler packed up recently), you'll know how to fix it.

I'd love to build it myself but I'm seriously no good with diy and water and electricity are 2 of the things I wouldn't like to get wrong. I think if i get this kit, i can do a few extract kits first and then build up to the all grain experience.

Kev

[Scooby]

I have twin elements in a 50l hlt/boiler, one element has a thermostat, it's from my
original Bruheat circa 1977. I find it useful set to about 80C and put that on a timer
so that I can come down in the morning and be all set to go, but knowing that it is safe
if I oversleep.

Also useful to maintain sparge temp as HH said, once the mash is under way and the
thermostat is set I can walk the dog

[Flaming Barrel]

Just an idea, H&G stuff is good, get set go.....make sure you get 10+ gal boiler to stop boil overs, makes life alot easier.
On the thermostat front im in the 'you dont need one school' especially with a big boiler , no boil over and a great rolling boil.
All the best, go straight in at the deep(ag) end, i did & cocked it up quite a bit to start off but im pretty good now(after 10 months) hitting OG & volume every time. The best teacher is practice / trial & error so dive in.........

[Shoit]

Thanks for the advice - I'm going to go for a thermostat on the HLT and not bother on the boiler. I'm certainly going to give it a go and see what happens!

Kev