brewing beginner kit?

scottmc · 08-28-2006, 10:28 PM

Hello everybody, first post here on the forums, been lerking here for some time and just abought ready to drop some money on some equipment. Looking for your opinion on this starter kit. Does everything in this kit seem to be of some quality? What would you upgrade in this kit if you were to purchase it? Or should I just purchase evrything seperate? Sorry for the NooB ?'s I know the search function is my friend but, hey..

Its the $99 one
http://www.undergrounddigital.com/beginners_kits.htm
Cheers Scott.

SteveM · 08-28-2006, 10:44 PM

The prose is a bit overwroght (I think that most brew kits have sealed fermenters, for example and I have yet to hear of someone selling something other than sanitizer) but the basic kits appears to be perfectly adequate, with all the important pieces at a decent price. I would start with that and as time and opportunity arise, pick up additional odds and ends.

scottmc · 08-28-2006, 11:01 PM

Pretty much my thoughts as well. These guys are 15minutes from my place so I wont get hit with shipping charges. I dont really care for the double handed bottler, looks like a pain to do by yourself. Other than bottles, caps, cooking equipment and cleansing products I think IM all set. What about an air vent for the second fermenting stage? Which one is generally a good one with a cap for the plastic carboy? Sorry for the questions guys, just tryin to get settled in with equipment.

Cheers, Scott.

**Yooper** · 08-28-2006, 11:10 PM

The stopper and airlock are fine for the carboy, and that's what you should use. I'd buy an extra airlock so you can start your second batch, or if the first one gets all gunked up. Airlocks are under $1. Also, an extra grommit for the lid on the fermenter. Almost everyone pushes it through into the beer the first time- they are about 50 cents. Don't forget that you need about 50 bottles - that capper's not so bad. I use that one and it works fine. I have NO upper body strength and can easily cap a couple of batches quickly.

It looks like a good price for the things you need. You don't have your ingredients listed, though. What's your first batch going to be?

Lorena

scottmc · 08-28-2006, 11:25 PM

Thanks, Lorenae, Hows this lock and stopper grab you. The one for a $1.29
http://www.undergrounddigital.com/fermentinghardware.htm

I think IM gonna try a wheat beer first, got any recipes that taste like Hacker Pschorr.

**Yooper** · 08-28-2006, 11:40 PM

Any airlock will do- but remember that you need to get a stopper to fit. So try the stopper on and make sure it's snug. Better bottles take a big stopper- off the top of my head I think it's a #10 size but I'm not sure.

Can't help with the recipe (I'm not much into hefe's) but I'm sure others will be able to help you out.

Lorena

pariah · 08-29-2006, 12:36 AM

I would spend the extra ten bucks and get a bench capper.

I've never used better bottles, but the glass is actually cheaper! Hm...

SteveM · 08-29-2006, 04:25 PM

Hefewiezens are pretty easy to make and the recipes are pretty simple. You should be able to search one up pretty easily, even on these forums. They have a light hop load (normally an ounce of Hallertau for a five gallon batch), no compelling need for steeping grains, a couple of cans of plain old wheat/malted barley extract and the right yeast.