Neonsilver

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but it looks like I'll be getting homebrew equipment for Christmas. What I want to do is make a complete list of everything that I'll need for brewing, bottling and kegging all seperate lists. I'm thinking that I would like to go straight to kegging and leave the bottles alone but they do have quite a bit of appeal to them. So that's really my question to all of you, what exactly do I need, I don't want to miss anything? And are there homebrew secret places to buy from that are a little cheaper? I'm fairly handy but don't have a welder but I could build my own kegorator. If I can plan all of this out right on Christmas morning I'll be opening my first beer instead of just the equipment.

pretzelb

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I think we need to know if you are going to do extract or go to all grain. Big difference.

For me, I started with extract recently and most "starter" kits you see will be just fine. They have what you need to get the job done. What comes later is stuff to make the job easier, which is subjective.

The one item that most kits exclude that you do need is a brew pot since they assume you have something large enough already.

Joker

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I still recommend Craigslist sometimes you can find people getting out of brewing selling everything and you can get it for a great price.

Neonsilver

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I've been trying this but it seems the only deal I can find has a possible infection and even that one seems to be removed now. I'm going to continue to look and hopefully something will turn up.


I'll be doing extract brewing at least for a little while and I want to do a full boil.

Joker

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Where are you located? You never know someone in your area may have some extra pieces they are looking to get rid of for a decent price to help out a new brewer.

Neonsilver

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Roseville, Michigan. About 25 minutes north of Detroit.

phatuna

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This is a good list from Boerderij if you want to do it right the first time:
http://blogs.homebrewtalk.com/Boerderij_Kabouter/Boerderij_Kabouters_Start_Kit_Suggestions/

coryforsenate

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Get a thick-walled aluminum 10 gallon pot (you can find them for around $50 at most restaurant supply stores. and install a spigot with a screen that is on the inside of the pot.

The whole setup for this will run you between $100-120, but believe me, it makes everything sooooo much easier. You can mash, sparge, and boil all the in the same pot and each time, just flip open the valve and it drains away.

JoeMama

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Honestly, I would start small(er) and progress into your hobby.

Personally, I started with one of those "Kits in a box" that contained -
Primary fermenter (with lid and airlock)
Bottling Bucket
Hydrometer
Auto Siphon (life rules with this)
and the basic extract beer kit.
I had to purchase seperately -
Boil kettle (this I would go bigger with initially to accomodate full boils)
Bottles (most kits come with bottlecaps)

I think that midwest has complete kits with EVERYTHING (including bottles and kettle)
-Me

__________________
Ergo Bibo Sum - I drink, therefore I am.

Eggo Bibo Sum - I drink, therefore I waffle.

Homercidal

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I'd maybe go check out one of the popular homebrew shops near your area. Cap N Cork or something like that rings a bell. You can check out the equipment kits and chat with the people in the store.

Do a google search on detroit homebrew supply.