skimo281

Recipes 

After countless hours of reading I'm still unsure on the best route to go. I've seen several starter kits but I'm still at a loss for which is best in value. I decided the easiest way would be to go step for step by John Palmer's equipment guide.

Airlock
Boiling Pot(canning pot)
Bottles(48 12oz)(30 22oz)
Bottle Capper
Bottle Caps
Bottle Brush
Fermenter
Pyrex Measuring Cup (quart or larger)
Siphon
Racking Cane
Bottle Filler
Stirring Paddle
Thermometer
Bottling Bucket(6 gallon food)
Hydrometer
Wine Theif or Turkey Baster
Ingredients Kit

I know there are a few items I'll need to pick up separately suck as the bottles,caps,measuring cup etc. One of the main questions was in some starter kits they include a fermenting bucket then a carboy or have a two fermenting buckets or a fermenting bucket and bottling bucket. From what I read you really only use the carboy/2nd fermenting bucket to just clear the beer up which isn't necessary if you aren't letting them sit for extended periods of time. The best route sounds like a fermenting bucket and bottling bucket would be the cheapest, but couldn't I just turn a fermenting bucket into a bottling bucket and have more options that way?

Out of the list should I have several of one particular item such as airlocks?

Also all the buckets are plastic which I read doesn't effect the flavor but it worries me it won't clean as well as glass would.

Here are the different kits I've been looking at, any push in the right direction would be appreciated. I know it's probably a stupid repetitive question but I have searched just haven't come across any answers...I apologize if they are around.

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/index.php?cPath=178_33_52

http://www.homebrewing.org/Beginner-Beer-Making-Kits_c_205.html?utm_campaign=Beer_Equipment&utm_so urce=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=%2Bbrew%20%2Bb eer%20%2Bequipment&gclid=CNDrhZ_o_60CFeJeTAodhWJ-kA

scrawbag

Recipes 

your only starting so never mind the 2nd fermenter or carboy. they are unnecessary for a beginner. one air lock is fine and a plastic fermenter is fine. just get one with a spigot at bottom so you can use this to bottle. the list says bottle filler so foget about buying these extras for a few months

Euphist

Recipes 

Check this out

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/someone-who-just-starting-out-time-sensitive-300524/#post3735305

BlainD

Recipes 

The two biggest money saver I think are in your fermenter and bottles. I get both of mine for free. When i need a fermenter I go down to Jason's deli and ask for a pickle bucket. I was worried about the pickle smell but I haven't had a problem at all. The hops hide all that. Good savings of 25-30 dollars there. Bottles I fish out of recycling and soak in bleach and clean. That's another 20-25 dollars there. Just my opinion. I brew Econo.

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mid_knight

Recipes 

FWIW - right now Midwest supplies is having a fantastic beginning brew kit sale through GroupOn that would cover some of that stuff to get u started. Homebrew Finds has the link if the paste below doesn't work

http://www.homebrewfinds.com/2012/02/midwest-supplies-groupon-is-back.html?m=1

Good luck finding the kit u need!

skimo281

Recipes 

Thanks everybody. I didn't plan on getting a second fermenting bucket but some kits come with it and some don't, that's why I asked. I haven't really found a balanced kit that I want minus one. http://www.williamsbrewing.com/COMPLETE-BREWERY-WITH-HONEY-CREAM-ALE-P2338C257.aspx

It is $219 so I wonder if I could piece together a kit for cheaper. I don't want to have to upgrade very soon so the more extras now would be better. My girlfriend told me not to be cheap, she doesn't want me to be buying another setup 6 months or a year from now so and that's when I stumbled upon this kit.

So many kits it's making my head hurt. Hopefully I will have my mind made up next week with yalls help because I plan to place an order on Wednesday.

Also I assume I will need more additional equipment when I go to all grain correct?

mid_knight

Recipes 

There is an all-grain method called Brew-In-A-Bag (BIAB). Using this method I can brew 1/2 batch (2.5 gallon) using my stove with no additional equipment beyond that which you need gor extract breweing - except for a paint strainer from Home Depot. There is a sticky in the all-grain & partial mash forum about that method.

skimo281

Recipes 

Even better then lol. I don't plan on rushing but if I know all I really need to buy is ingredients I'm even happier.

I just thought about this though, I'm not sure if I can brew in my house. I live in a trailer and my stove is electric, it seems like a pot that full would mess up the burner. Also my smoke alarms go off anytime I boil water. I wonder if I should just try it or buy a propane burner and do it all outside.

jeffd10

Recipes 

+1 This is a good start

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Tap 2: All Hail Ming Imperial IPA
Tap 3: Working out of a 19G Bucket

Carbing: Bright Spot's TBPA
Carbing: Better off Dead (Red) (A ride into Hoppyness)

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kcpup

Recipes 

It isn't a bad thing to have two fermenters and a bottling bucket too. You can have two batches in various stages simultaneously. If you really get into brewing, you'll be wanting to build up a pipeline anyway. Having multiple fermenters is good. :-)

+1 re: BIAB in the future. Do all extract batches for a while to get the process down and get your sanitation good. Once you have some confidence then try Deathbrewers Stovetop Partial Mash technique. It's a great way to try mashing with little additional investment. It is a great stepping stone to all grain.

If you live in a town with a local homebrew supply store, I'd recommend getting your kit there. It may be the same price or $20-30 more. Don't fret the price difference. That store can be a great source of information in addition to this forum. I'll also let you know that this is a gearhead hobby...you'll likely never have everything you'd like. The more you learn the more you think of stuff!

If you're trying to save money, check out Craigslist. It takes time, but I've gotten a lot of good equipment at good prices that way.