All Grain Advice

Sorry to say it but $100 is not that much in my opinion. You'll end up spending way more than that but it'll be worth it. I'd either focus on buying things from Northern Brewer that you can't get at your local homebrew shop, or things that are lighter in weight to keep shipping costs down.

 

If you think there is ever a chance of you brewing 10 gallon batches buy a 15 gallon kettle instead of a 10. The equipment that you need to convert a cooler can usually be bought most cheaply at a hardware store. That's really all you have to have to upgrade to all grain.

 

I do not have a thermometer or valvle in my kettle. 10 gallons of hot wort is as much as I can lift. For most the valve would be a no brainer. I wouldn't waste the money on a thermometer. Its easy enough to dip one in when you need to check.

 

With $100 total to spend, I wouldn't use any of it on a built in thermometer or a valve. If you don't already have one, you'll need a good thermometer, but get one that is multipurpose rather than part of your kettle.

FWIW, I have considerably more than $100 invested in my equipment, and my kettles are just kettles.

 

Welcome to the hobby, mtp81. I think you'll find a better price if you look for used equipment, so take the time to see what is on Craig's List, etc. before buying new stuff. If you find anything, hopefully it is close to you so that you can inspect it before purchase.

It sounds like you're just starting with this hobby, so other major items that you'll need are are a fermentor, and a bottling bucket (if bottling your beers) or kegging equipment (if you decide to keg). You could also find good prices on all kinds of peripheral things that you'll need too if someone is selling stuff as a package deal. Here is a link to a search that I did of this forum using 'equipment' as the search word in thread titles only. Read thru some of these posts to help you think about what you'll need. https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...t&t=post&o=date&g=1&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=8

Also, the suggestion above about checking your hardware store for equipment was probably meant for the fittings, etc. that would convert your cooler to a mash tun. You might find a large kettle in a hardware store that could be used for brewing, but fermentors, bottling buckets, etc., probably not. Good luck.

 

Skip the false bottom and get a bazooka tube for 1/5 of the price.

 

What does this mean? All-grain equipment/lauter tuns? ...or the whole enchilada? (fermenters, boiling kettles, bottling stuff, temp/measuring/control equip., hopping paraphernalia etc., etc.,)

 

Then I recommend this + a false bottom and bulkhead valve when you are ready...
https://www.northernbrewer.com/brew-share-enjoy-homebrew-starter-kit-ipa

Keep the 5 gal kettle for a hot liquor tank (HLT) and buy yourself a >8 gal. kettle for when you want to do full volume boils (soon hopefully) Good Luck!
almost forgot....howtobrew.com

 

have you thought about starting as Brew in a bag? Cheapest and easiest way to do all grain from an equipment standpoint.

 

Bags don't last forever...but false bottoms and bazooka screens do...pretty much

 

Yes but he could easily start with 2.5 gallon batches on his stove pot with a kettle from the kit you suggested and a paint strainer bag which are dirt cheap.

 

Local/regional classified publications like Thrifty Nickel, garage sales and Estate sales (one of my favorites).