Beer Forum

As I've stated before, I am new to brewing. I was looking at all the different kits out there, I've noticed they vary greatly in both price and what they include. Any recommendations for what is needed vs not needed, and which kits are the "best bang for the buck"?

archi77 wrote:As I've stated before, I am new to brewing. I was looking at all the different kits out there, I've noticed they vary greatly in both price and what they include. Any recommendations for what is needed vs not needed, and which kits are the "best bang for the buck"?

I'm sure others may chime in with more or less of what I'd recommend but for a basic starter kit I'd say:

-A minimum 10 gallon pot for 5-6 gallon batches- You may already have one
-A few primary buckets/bottles wtih stoppers- At least 6 gallons each
-A hydrometer
-An auto siphon with siphon hose
-A sanitizer such as idophor or Star San
-Airlock(s) or extra hose for blow off hoses(my preference)
-A spoon or paddle for stirring

Chances are the sanitizer won't be included in most of the kits and you don't need the cleaner that usually comes in them. Just buy PBW or a product like Oxiclean Free for a cleaner.

Other than the equipment I'd suggest that you hang out on this forum or others and read read read. Most questions you'll have can be answered with a simple google search and don't be afraid to ask if that doesn't work.

Cheers!

EllisTX wrote:

archi77 wrote:As I've stated before, I am new to brewing. I was looking at all the different kits out there, I've noticed they vary greatly in both price and what they include. Any recommendations for what is needed vs not needed, and which kits are the "best bang for the buck"?

I'm sure others may chime in with more or less of what I"d recommend but for a basic starter kit I'd say:

-A minimum 10 gallon pot for 5-6 gallon batches- You may already have one
-A few primary buckets/bottles wtih stoppers- At least 6 gallons each
-A hydrometer
-An auto siphon with siphon hose
-A sanitizer such as idophor or Star San
-Airlock(s) or extra hose for blow off hoses(my preference)
-A spoon or paddle for stirring

Chances are the sanitizer won't be included in most of the kits and you don't need the cleaner that usually comes in them. Just buy PBW or a product like Oxiclean Free for a cleaner.

Other than the equipment I'd suggest that you hang out on this forum or others and read read read. Most questoins you'll have can be answered with a simple google search and don't be afraid to ask if that doesn't work.

Cheers!

I'm unbelievably ashamed of you.

How could you leave off the list?

One thing, I suggest that you cough up the extra 10 bucks or so for a bench capper instead of a wing-type capper. I find the wing capper to be a royal pain in the ass to try to bottle with if you're by yourself.

An autosiphon is a must, too.

The starter kits from BN sponsor Midwest Supplies are great and very cost effective.

HTH-

I'm ashamed I left of the No self respecting brewer brews without them.

I did leave off a capper. I'd suggest going straight to kegging but I suppose we all must go through the initiation of bottling.

+1 on the bench capper. Not only is it easier, you'll still be using the same one after your 4th wing capper goes bad or breaks on you. Completely worth the extra couple bucks.

EllisTX wrote:-A minimum 10 gallon pot for 5-6 gallon batches-

I'd say this depends on your $, space and future trajectory in brewing. A 5 gal pot can be use for extract partial boils on the stovetop, and any bigger boils (full boil extract, or all grain) WILL need a bigger pot, but will also need an outdoor burner and wort chiller in most cases. 5 gal pots can be had for <$40, and 10 gal can be roughly double the price or more (7.5 are on the market, but the ones we carry are $75... and 10 are $80... ). IF you are going to be limited to partial stovetops, I think it's perfectly fine to start with the 5gal, and if you move up to full boils, you can always use another pot for heating sparge water, etc. or sell it off to another brewer who needs it.

Ozwald wrote:+1 on the bench capper. Not only is it easier, you'll still be using the same one after your 4th wing capper goes bad or breaks on you. Completely worth the extra couple bucks.

I've not picked up a bench capper, but my Emily capper has lasted me through 6 years of brewing. Pricewise, I'm looking at more of a $25 bump to get a bench capper instead of the $10 mentioned earlier. It may be worth it, I haven't used one yet. When my current lever capper bites it, I may give it a go... and probably feel as dumb as I did the first time I used an autosiphon....

I agree with Spider. I think that as simple as you can keep it the first few batches, the more likely you are to have success. Also, it's tough enough to get 5 gallons boiling on a stovetop, let alone 10.

A 5-10 gal pot (cheap on Amazon if you go aluminum), bottling bucket, bottles and caps, and a reliable source for instructions, like How to Brew, or Brewing Classic Styles, in addition to what was already mentioned.

You really only need one fermenter in the beginning. Bucket or carboy, your choice, but I would go with carboy because you can watch what's happening, and that's cool. Oh, you may want a funnel to aid transfer into your fermenting vessel.