@drtablet,
Hope you found the pics.
It's pretty easy to piece together. The biggest expense is probably the kettle - big pots aren't cheap. See if you can find someone who uses GNS 9grain neutral spirits) - it comes in nice SS drums with a spring clamp lid ;-) if you find some let me know.
definitely get a decent burner & adjustable reg - that way you can start with a smaller system & upgrade components as they become available / affordable. i started out by modifying a 70l esky & a borrowed 100l kettle - using the same burner & reg I use today. i originally used an old 40l laundry copper as my HLT - a mate gave it to me when he bought an old house. I replaced the pipework & rewired it for a minimal amount. As i say - keep your eyes open & consider how things can be re-purposed
I could probably get away with a mash tun half the size & still fill my kettle, but then big brew days wouldn't be the same ;-)
As you're on a budget, Instead of armaflex, buy camp mats from vinnies or the salvo's to use as insulation. The silver backed bubblewrap I used was $5 a roll at Reverse Garbage.
In relation to the HWS, before getting mine, I was going to build a monotube / flash boiler to achieve the same thing. I think I still have the basic gas instant HWS i picked up at a garage sale that i was going to modify. When I looked at it I realised how inefficient it is. By simply adding some more copper piping in the direct heat path & adjusting the water flow based on the temp on the output, 70*c would be easily achieved. not as fancy as a propper unit - but lots cheaper.
As I was working away from home for 18 months, my rig hasn't been used in anger for a while. That said I have been developing further enhancements eg a HERMS using a 19l keg and a grain mill using a paper shredder cabinet & motor to chain drive a schmiddling malt mill. I have some wood working to finish up before I can get it out again.
beers
croz
