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It probably wasn't the best introduction to all grain, what with all the different boliers going tits up, but I suppose it shows some of the pitfalls that can be encountered. I think a lot of it is down to doing brew in a bag, and using the elements while mashing, either for a step mash, or just to keep the temperature constant. I always scrub the element between the mash and the boil, and think that this makes the difference. Interesting to note that the DIY boilers seemed fine, while the burco/electrims caused problems. Maybe co-incidence, but just goes to show that there is nothing wrong with DIY equipment if it is done right.

Anthony, how did you boil your wort in the end? Did you borrow my bolier after rebel? Just wondering if you have the boiler of if it is at the well.

Cheers,
Billy.

You're not wrong with your analysis there, I've decided I'm just going to build my own (20 euro plus a few hours heartache is worth it in my opinion.) I managed to borrow a boiler that was having electrical problems and rewired the plug, I also borrowed a large 3 gallon stainless steel pot from Stewart so was able to boil up half in that and half in the electric boiler then combine the two in the boiler when they were both up to temperature. This cut down the time needed to boil just in the electrical boiler. Tasted it all before pitching the yeast and it tasted great. I'll be sure to give you a few bottles when it's all done!

"GoodForWhatAlesYou":1mcszto9 wrote: Had a great day, thanks to everyone who helped out. Big thanks to Peter for allowing us to be there and thanks to everyone else for putting up with me/helping me out. Thanks too to oconn for the boiler even though it turned out to be a dud. Hopefully i'll still get some good strong beer out ([b:1mcszto9]my OG was 1.09.... how did that happen?[/b:1mcszto9])

I'll put the photos up soon and draw together a shortish article about my experience as a first time all-grain brewer and maybe throw it up on the forums here.


Cheers,

Anthony[/quote:1mcszto9]

Hehehehe

Remember when you asked , " will I put the leftover grain in ? " and I said " Yerra ya lash it all in "

That might have contributed ...

In fairness though , you did have only the first runnings really and didn't get a huge sparge , so the volume was low but the concentration of sugars high .

Hope it turns out lovely for you

Photos available here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="picasaweb.google.com/anthony.tux/BBC?aut...1sRgCL_Qqf6nx7XAxwE#">picasaweb.google.com/anthony.tux ... 6nx7XAxwE#

great pics- it really looks like fun. We should attempt something like this in dublin sometime

We'd need somewhere with lots of outside space, handy parking and which doesn't worry unduly about the leccy bill or public liability implications of lots of open boiling vats of liquid.