Gear
Last updated 20110815
Big Stuff
For the MLT, I've got the simple tried and true 10 gallon rubbermaid with stainless hose braid. I've only got three all-grain batches down so far, but it seems to work as well as expected. I'm getting overall efficiencies near 75%.
I got a simple 30qt aluminum turkey fryer for my large volume heating/boils. I typically heat strike and infusion water in it. I've got a 16qt stainless stockpot for sparge water.
I _love_ glass fermenters. I've got four 5 gallon, a 3 gallon and 2 6 gallon carboys. I know they're expensive, prone to breaking and unsafe when not properly handled, but they are absolutely gorgeous! It's great to see what's happening with various brews too. Buckets are just boring.
I picked up a Barley Crusher(TM) for crushing grains. The LHBS doesn't have a mill for customer use. I've taken to buying grains in bulk to save money. I've only used the thing once so far, but it seems like it will stand up to many years of use.
Kegs, kegs, kegs! I bottled my first batch and decided that that was too much work. I've got 6 kegs and 2 CO2 tanks now.
I'm in the process of constructing a collar for my second keezer. I think the first one had a refrigerant leak (total n00b buying used). I just picked up an ancient 20 cubic foot chest freezer for $50 and I'm converting it now.
Not so Big Stuff
I've got some neat little tools that aren't extremely common. I built a magnetic stir plate out of a computer power supply fan and the neodymium magnets from some old hard drives. Also built a temperature controller with a single relay and the old bi-metallic thermostat from my house (replaced it with a 7 day programmable). One of the things I love about this hobby is that it gives me an excuse to do things like this!
I use a brix refractometer instead of a hydrometer. One of the best investments I've ever made!
One of my favorite tools that I don't see mentioned often is a 100mL syringe. It's great for starting siphons and pulling samples for testing
Future Stuff
I don't have any real plans for upgrading. I've been reading the HBT "no sparge" thread lately though and am really intrigued. I think I can build a simple RIMS system by simply adding a pump. I think I want to get some more "traditional" batches in first though.