It's time to go all-grain

So you've been brewing for a while and saving a little money and are ready to go all-grain.  If you're like me, you are a bit picky about using quality parts and prefer to get the exact parts you want not the ones included in kits sold by stores.

If you are unable to find used or free equipment, like the cooler, I am going to tell you where to get the parts brand new at the best price.

With that said you just can't go wrong with the following mash tun:

$51 (includes shipping) for a 400 series Industrial Igloo cooler from Zoro Tools.

$36 (flat shipping rate at $5) for all stainless steel plumbing from Bargain Fittings.

Select "cooler bulk head"

- Cooler type ROUND COOLER extra shim washer

- Inside fitting Female NPT x 1/2" Hose barb- Valve Stainless 3 piece valve- Hose Barb - (for valve outlet) 1/2" Hose - SS

Note the 3-piece stainless valve.  Nice for cleaning easily.  Upgrade over the brass mash tun plumbing readily available.  Don't forget Teflon tape for plumbing.

$27-31 (includes shipping) for a 12" false bottom from Amazon.  Search Amazon for best deal of the day.  You won't pay more than $31 if you check back daily for a few days.

$29 (flat rate shipping at $6 so order your sanitizer and a few other things since you are paying for shipping any ways) for a fly sparge from Williams Brewing.

Grand total: $155

Go price that against anything you can find online and you will see even at $130-150 on sale the parts are lower quality.  A lot lower.  And the price is likely higher.

If you can swing it I strongly suggest buying a cheaper 5-gallon cooler (maybe Home Depot or Lowes for $20) and adding plumbing on it from Bargain Fittings to feed your sparge via gravity   Select:

- Cooler type ROUND COOLER extra shim washer

- Inside fitting No coupling

- Valve Brass ball valve

- Hose Barb - (for valve outlet) 1/2" Hose - SS

You will need 12" of 3/8" high temp silicon tubing to connect your false bottom to the valve in your mash tun and about 4-5' of 1/2" high temp silicon tubing for your sparge connection.  The hose provided will over heat and burn you.  This can be bought at Bargain Fittings since you are already paying for the shipping any ways.

For the $200 range you now have a really nice set-up which should yield you near 80% efficiency with your all-grain brewing.  You won't find better quality for the price and you will likely not find poorer quality for the price either.  I have used this set-up and it works very well and stress free  -  Relax.  Have a home brew!

Now if you are in need of a wort chiller you can buy a kit and make one for 1/2 price by ordering through Copper Tubing Sales.  Consider buying the spring feeder for $3 to shape the copper well.