Question on chillers and kettles

Nice budget. I would go for biggest you can on all 3 items.
I have a 7.5g pot and it is barely big enough (thank you fermcap)
My Darkstar burner works great and is affordable.
I am also looking for a chiller but I dont think I can really save that much by buying the copper and farting around with it.

 

This is what I use, no spigot:

http://www.amazon.com/Winware-Profe...334760&sr=8-1&keywords=10+gallon+aluminum+pot

Generally the smaller wort chillers are around 25', so I should think more would be better.

 

Yea I agree to that. I am using a buddies 25' in my 30 quart full-boil and its not big enough....

 

I think you will need that spigot in your kettle, after boiling you will be able to connect it to a counterflow chilller.

 

If you're looking to not limit yourself down the road, then a kettle with a ball valve is 100% necessary. An 8 gallon kettle will normally be enough, but a 10 gallon would be better if your budget can take it. Making your own wort chiller is a good idea, but anything more than a 5 gallon batch and you will want more than 20' worth or at least use 1/2" copper.

That budget should easily handle what you're looking for. This kettle ships free and is high quality. Friends don't let friends buy cheap kettles. The one linked by Boonedog is good and I used one like that for years, but one with a valve is really needed for future-proofing your rig.

 

Depends on how you plan to chill (and move) your wort. If using an immersion chiller, you probably don't really need a valve.

A couple things...
- many people use kettles without ball valves
- they can be added to an existing kettle later if needed

 

I'm pretty sure I got a Shirron plate chiller and one of northern brewer's 10 gallon kettle (w/ spigot) for under 400. It is totally worth having the spigot, it makes draining your wort into your fermenter much easier. Everything in the kettle remains hot, so contamination isn't an issue, and it drains into the fermenter chiiled (although you may not be @ pitching temperature). The chiller works fine using gravity, but sooner or later you'll probably cave and get a pump.

 

I'm pretty sure I got a Shirron plate chiller and one of northern brewer's 10 gallon kettle (w/ spigot) for under 400. It is totally worth having the spigot, it makes draining your wort into your fermenter much easier. Everything in the kettle remains hot, so contamination isn't an issue, and it drains into the fermenter chiiled (although you may not be @ pitching temperature). The chiller works fine using gravity, but sooner or later you'll probably cave and get a pump.

 

I second VikeMan's recommendation about the kettle in regards to the chiller. I have a 10 gal brewpot with a ballvalve I started using a few months ago and absolutely love it. Previously I was using a stockpot. I use a counterflow chiller so the ballvalve is necessary. If you're set on an immersion chiller, there really isn't a need for the spigot. You could save yourself some money there.

 

Total cost of my 12 gallon Kettle, Ball Valve, and 50' pre-made immersion chiller is ~$190, including the bit I used to drill the hole for the ball valve. These aren't the exact items I don't think, but comparable. I like having a 12 gallon kettle because sometimes I'll do a larger batch and split it.

http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com...rce=googleps&gclid=CL6p8IfZ-LgCFWho7AodGUYAIg

http://www.amazon.com/Foot-Copper-Coil-Immersion-Chiller/dp/B004E22PIA/ref=pd_sbs_k_3

http://www.amazon.com/Weldless-Stainless-Steel-Valve-Spigot/dp/B0028ZLEE6/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1376337687&sr=1-2&keywords=stainless steel ball valve

I have brewed with and without a ball valve. Maybe you don't *need* a valve, but you need a valve.

 

If you go with an immersion chiller 20' of 1/2 tubing will work well for 5 gallons. If you want to do 10 gallon batches which you won't be able to do in a 10 gallon kettle then you would want something bigger like 50'.

The other thing to think about is how warm is the water you are going to be running through the chiller. Where I live I need a pre chiller or sub pump to get the wort down to pitching temps during the summer. During the winter I can get it to 60-65 in 15 minutes off of hose water. During the summer it stops at 75-80 but with the sub pump I can get it to 60-65 in 30 minutes.

 

Harder than with an aluminum one, but not too hard if you are handy. Lots of cutting oil, a step bit, and a steady hand and you'll be done pretty quick.

Also, I think less of you for buying a stainless kettle with no valve instead of an Aluminum kettle and ball valve. I'm judging you so hard.

 

Kettle, get 15 gallon minimum (considering the future) and a valve can be added later. I don't use a valve, and am not rushing to put one on. $53 Kettle
Can hardly build them for this anymore $71 Chiller
Don't skimp on the burner, especially if you want to do 10 gallon or high gravity batches I love my banjo burner

 

Not at all hard to add. Other than size, your kettle can be modified with DIY skills. Things like ball valves, sight gauges, integral thermometer, and quick disconnects (all useful) can be added.

I brew all-grain 5 gallon batches with an 8 gallon kettle. For extended/high-hop boils (90 min) there is no room for error (boiling 7'ish gallons). For medium length boils it is just fine. I have a ball valve and will never go back. Yes, you can auto-siphon out of the kettle, but just turning a valve is really nice.

A 20' x 3/8" immersion chiller is too short. Inlet water temp will influence size, but I would recommend 25' of 1/2" or 30-35' of 3/8" to chill 6 gallons of wort. I would error slightly on too much rather than too little. Also, don't make your chiller until you have the kettle and can study the geometry, you really don't want coils sticking above your brew.

 

Maybe not with a 20' or 25' chiller, but my top 2-3 coils stand above the liquid when I do five gallon batches with my 50' chiller.

 

That is a good price. One thing I liked about building my own is that I used a little extra length in the ends so it would clear the edge of the kettle by a couple inches and they are tilted at a downward angle. I had a slight leak once and the water just leaked downwards and onto the ground. A lot of the chillers available online the ends sit right above the edge of the kettle. If you have a leak you will probably get hose water in the wort.

 

Nah. I strain my wort and it's no big deal at all. I have manly wrists. Plus my system/recipes are already dialed in to my method. I would probably change my mind if I were making larger batches, but 5.1 gallons (my normal size) is easy.