Jacob Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 Hi all, After several extract beers I think I'm looking at getting into the real stuff. Don't get me wrong some extract/kit beers are nice but I feel like they're all very similar tasting and would like to be able to make my own beer from scratch. So where I would like some help is whether to invest in something like a Robobrew or a full 3V setup OR a single vessel setup for BIAB. Keep in mind I'm a battling uni student... Any help appreciated! Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smash Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 My next purchase https://nationalhomebrew.com.au/beer/brewing-equipment-pots-and-hardware/crown-urn-40l-with-concealed-element Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacob Posted March 8, 2019 Author Share Posted March 8, 2019 7 minutes ago, Smash said: My next purchase https://nationalhomebrew.com.au/beer/brewing-equipment-pots-and-hardware/crown-urn-40l-with-concealed-element Pardon my ignorance but how would you use this? BIAB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 Yes, urns are used for BIAB. That's what I started with and still using it now. They're a good quality unit, the only reason I'd change to 3V is if I wanted more stuff to clean... Nah it does have its advantages but not enough for me to switch. I'm happy with what I'm producing from BIAB. BIAB is at a disadvantage if you are making high gravity beers, even with normal strength beers the efficiency can be a bit less than 3V but high efficiency doesn't necessarily mean the beer is better. It just means you use a little less grain to hit the same OG. Not a big deal to me personally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenyinthewestofsydney Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 Just to echo kelsey i little bit. A single vessel urn or robobrew will make you beers which just as good as a 3V system. I recommend it as a first step. Have used a robobrew for 2 and a bit years with great success. But. Im going to move eventually to a 3V for a few reasons. First being a bigger batch size. I can brew double or even triple in the same time. Second being able to sparge thoroughly will give you better efficency. Plus your urn or robobrew can be a vessel in that 3V system. My recommendation is go the urn first up. Learn all grain brewing. Then make up your mind whether you wat to go further. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Ruddager Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 Crown Urn if you want to do it on the cheap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty_G Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 I was watching some BIAB clips and thought all one needed as a heat source/vessel was a good old school 40 litre hot water urn ... can pick them up from around $130 on Gumtree or less than $300 new .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 That's all I use. One thing I'd suggest with an urn and BIAB is that a pulley system makes things a lot easier in terms of lifting the bag out. Used to be a right pain but with this setup it's really easy I also have a stainless wire brush on a long handle for cleaning the element cover when required during the brew day and a false bottom so I can apply heat without lifting the bag. Neither of these are required items but they do make the brew day a bit easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty_G Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 3 hours ago, Otto Von Blotto said: One thing I'd suggest with an urn and BIAB is that a pulley system makes things a lot easier in terms of lifting the bag out My physics is not great but I do know those gang pulleys sure do give you some great mechanical advantage .... that wet grain would be as light as a feather with that system ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titan Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 Kelsey how do you keep the mechanicals clean. I would suspect a build up of dust and crap up there that might be dropping into the wort? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 26 minutes ago, MartyG1525230263 said: My physics is not great but I do know those gang pulleys sure do give you some great mechanical advantage .... that wet grain would be as light as a feather with that system ... It does, it's like lifting nothing. Dad gave it to me a while back when I was still living there but the clearance above was too low where I brewed there. 23 minutes ago, Titan said: Kelsey how do you keep the mechanicals clean. I would suspect a build up of dust and crap up there that might be dropping into the wort? I don't leave it up there, there are clasps on each end that both come apart so I just put it up at the start of the day and take it down at the end. I haven't noticed any crap in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtman Dan Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 Crown is nice easy and cheap once you dial everything in. Can get away with gettin 23liters of quality 5%ish beer for under 40 bucks and thats buying grain from lhbs. Im lazy and havent setup a pulley system yet, but ikea sells a strainer that fits perfectly on the top of the urn to drain the bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Ruddager Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 1 hour ago, Dirtman Dan said: ikea sells a strainer that fits perfectly on the top of the urn to drain the bag I think it's some kind of chicken roasting contraption actually Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 I make 25 litre batches in mine, although some have been up around 26. Probably could get more if using a chiller instead of cubes. The urns actually have a capacity of around 43 litres to the brim, which I worked out from the radius and height of the inner wall. Explains why I can start with 36/37 litres of strike water and not overflow it when the grain is added. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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