First ever brew, wanting to make sure I buy what I need

DuckyNDogs · 08-03-2011, 09:56 PM

OK I am getting started with brewing and I am just wanting to make sure I get everything I need. I am trying not to set off the "thrifty husband alarm" so I just want to get the essentials. Does this look about right:

2-5 gallon glass carboys
1-3 piece airlock
1-Hydrometer
1-Thermometer
1-Siphon
1-Funnel

Am I missing anything? I want to get the Midwest Sweet Mead kit and use some of the very nice blackberries that we have in season right now. Any tips or suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Kaleco · 08-03-2011, 10:08 PM

Sanitizing product like Star-San.

Cleaning product like PBW to help with cleaning the carboys afterwards.

MedsenFey · 08-03-2011, 11:25 PM

Auto-siphon - don't rack without one.

2 stoppers. (and possibly a second airlock).

Capper/corker (and caps or corks) depending on how you want to bottle this.

Bottling wand

A large fermentation bucket for primary will make life much easier. Otherwise I'd get a 6-gallon and a 5-gallon carboy and do primary in the larger one.

Brew-hauler to make lifting carboys safer/easier.

This stuff will add a few more dollars, but they will be worth every penny in saved grief and frustration.

sweaterman · 08-04-2011, 12:08 AM

My friends and I always debate the pros-cons of plastic vs. glass too. People say that in plastic your risk of infection is higher, it holds flavors, and oxygen can get through and oxidize your beer. Personally, I have never had an infection or problems with the pales holding flavors, and I my buddy and I have never had oxidization problems. I don't think the oxygen crossing the plastic is substantial enough to oxidize your mead. Plastic is cheaper, and you can get better bottles which minimize the head space for the secondary.

There are people who swear by glass though. And it is true that should you ever get an infection, plastic will hold on to it better than glass will.

Finally, degassing in a plastic pale is WAY easier, especially if you are just starting and don't want to buy all the fancy equipment.

**JoeyChopps** · 08-04-2011, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MedsenFey

Auto-siphon - don't rack without one.

2 stoppers. (and possibly a second airlock).

Capper/corker (and caps or corks) depending on how you want to bottle this.

Bottling wand

A large fermentation bucket for primary will make life much easier. Otherwise I'd get a 6-gallon and a 5-gallon carboy and do primary in the larger one.

Brew-hauler to make lifting carboys safer/easier.

This stuff will add a few more dollars, but they will be worth every penny in saved grief and frustration.

I agree many of these things are awesome but on a budget not necessary.
You should always have an extra stopper and airlock they are cheap so why not.
Bottle wands are cool I have one but you can just pinch the line with anything to stop the flow while bottling and will save money
I agree 100% with a fermentor larger then 5 gals u need head space to not over flow.
And the brew hauler more of a niceity the a necessity I just brewed my 50th batch Sunday and have only broke one carboy ( knock on wood it was full of sanatizer) and I still will not buy a brew hauler.
If u are interested in getting in cheap check out groupons they have been having awesome deals on full set ups from Midwest for under a 100 its not the best stuff but it will make beer or wine or mead or whatever your hearts desire.
Cheers. Chopps

Accidic · 08-04-2011, 01:32 AM

I still use bleach for sanitizer frequently and have still had zero problems but it is a bit slow. And for the label advantage I usually use baking soda to remove labels. It's not quite as effective as the commercial sanitizer for it but with a little patience its laughably effortless. Ammonia works for that too tho although I've had mixed results depending on brand.

**JoeyChopps** · 08-04-2011, 01:34 AM

I use just plain old hot water and a ss scruby pad to remove labels. I get off 98% percent of the labels and don't spend a cent to do it

Accidic · 08-04-2011, 11:12 AM

Hot tap? Mine doesn't seem to be hot enough to do it within 20m even and I wasn't gonna boil it.

**JoeyChopps** · 08-04-2011, 11:44 AM

Yeah hot tap water I leave them in a cooler for 24 to 36 hours. The cooler keeps the water warm and I get almost all of the bottles clean. It works for me and anywhere I can save money in my process is a plus

ExoticMeadMaker · 08-04-2011, 01:32 PM

Tip; I would recommend freezing your berries then letting them thaw right before using. This will help with the juicing process and buys you time, in case you cant get to making your brew right away.