Are you doing full grain or malt extract? I bet this thing requires cleaning on the order of brewing from extract.
Also if you're doing full grain and want to reduce headache and clean up and equipment costs, check out brew in a bag. (Not the cheesy thing they sell at Wal-Mart around Christmas.) I haven't done it yet but from the reviews I've read and videos I've watched it seems like a greatly simplified method.
Brew in a bag (BIAB) is a great way to start testing the all grain method with very little money investment. Grab a paint strainer bag from home depot pack of two for $5 and away you go.
I have always done full grain. The bags don't get good conversion yields in my opinion cause the grain really only gets good exposure around the outside.
I have seen/had a few of my friends' extract brews and I agree they are much simpler, in some cases the beers were about on par too.
BIAB does have lower efficiency, but having less stuff around the apartment makes it worthwhile. Using some extra grain is a bummer, but not a terrible tradeoff.
Also if you're doing full grain and want to reduce headache and clean up and equipment costs, check out brew in a bag. (Not the cheesy thing they sell at Wal-Mart around Christmas.) I haven't done it yet but from the reviews I've read and videos I've watched it seems like a greatly simplified method.