Scrow

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So, I am about to purchase starter stuff. I have nothing at all, except empty bottles that I have washed and saved. Assuming I have about $150-$175 to spend, and need everything, how would you shop?

I was looking at this starter kit:

NORTHERN BREWER: Beer Starter Kits

(Scroll down to "Better Basic Starter Kit" with glass carboy, total $120.99)

Then I would still need a brew kettle. Furthermore, I can only (realistically) do this in my kitchen, so I need something I can do on a stove-top.

Any suggestions? A better starter kit to buy? A cheap brew kettle? Thanks!!

spitfire

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That is the kit I plan to get but with the plastic better bottle rather than a glass carboy. I would check your local big box stores for a brew pot and a kit and you should be good to go.

Scrow

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Can I just buy a huge pot and do this on my stove? I think like a 6-gallon pot would be enourmous!

carnevoodoo

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If you're doing extract brewing, that is just fine. You will be doing partial boils, and a 6 gallon pot is plenty big.

Scrow

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Ok so I can just hit Walmart for a 6-gallon pot and boil the stuff on the stove? And later on when I get more advanced I can upgrade, I just need to make sure boiling a 6-gallon pot on my stove is going to work for my starting ventures. Thanks a ton!

Scrow

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Alternatively, can I buy like a 3-gallon pot and do 2 batches back-to-back? Or does that cause problems?

spitfire

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Right boil right on the stove. It doesn't have to be 6 gallon pot, it could be a little smaller. Yep, once you (we) get more advanced you can upgrade and I'm sure you will still find a use for things you already purchased when you do upgrade so it won't be like you are wasting money.

llazy_llama

Recipes 

The bigger the pot, the better. If you're looking to do 5 gallon batches as most of us do, a 7 gallon pot is ideal. A 6 gallon pot will also work, but you'll have to either keep a close eye on it to avoid boilovers, use slightly less water, or invest in anti-foam agents. Basically, the more of your batch you can boil, the better your hop utilization is going to be. Because of that, your beer will be improved greatly. I started off with a much smaller kettle than that, and my beer was fine. Use what you're comfortable with, and what you can afford.

As for the starter kits, I think Midwest has the best deal in town. $110 gets you their Intermediate starter kit (linked here) which has 1 primary fermenter, and two 5 gallon better bottles. You probably don't want to use the 5 gallon containers for primaries (although I have for a couple of batches, I just had to use a blowoff tube) but you can if you want. Either that, or use the fermenter bucket for your primary, and as soon as you rack to secondary, you can pitch another batch into the bucket.

I'll also recommend a few additional items that you may want. A jet bottle/carboy washer is cheap, and will help so much. Just be sure to also buy the faucet adapter so you can use it on your sink. An immersion chiller is also a sound investment, and they sell a stainless steel one for about $50.

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jerrysfinger

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I bought this last month. No complaints. I got the starter kit and an recipe kit for $145.00 with shipping. Bought a 20qt pot from Target for 40.00.

KDM

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My $0.02: Don't use a bucket for fermenting, get a 6.5 Gal. PET Better Bottle. Why? So you can SEE the show inside! Man, I wouldn't have missed it for worlds.

I hear you can always tell a n00b homebrewer . . . there's a stool next to the fermenter.

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Cheers, Kurt