Manny_E

Recipes 

1st from Williams Brewing
http://www.williamsbrewing.com/COMPLETE-BREWERY-WITH-BELGIAN-DOUBLE-P2351.aspx

2nd from Home Brewing
http://www.homebrewing.org/Beginning-Homebrew-Kit-Upgrade-3_p_1706.html

thx
Manny

el_horno

Recipes 

Id go for the 2nd kit. I like that it also comes with a 5 gallon glass carboy.

kh54s10

Recipes 

It is difficult to know what is in the Williams kit. They don't have a list like the Adventure In HomeBrewing one.

Another one to look at is The Northern Brewer Deluxe kit. You will have to add the pot and a wort chiller but it is the one I started with.

I, personally, would opt for Better Bottles or buckets. No glass carboys for me. They are too heavy and way to dangerous. Read the threads about injuries caused by broken carboys.

boscobeans

Recipes 

#1

10 gallon pot with spigot is a real plus.

I have 2 carboys that I never use. Buckets work for for me and the fermenter that comes with #1 sounds like another plus.


bosco

Manny_E

Recipes 

thx very much for your input...

Question: are there benefits using a buckets vs. plastic carboy (i.e. PET or Better Bottles) as primary fermentation vessel?

agcorry00

Recipes 

Buckets are easier to wash (and are cheaper), but you don't get to see the fermentation very well.

__________________
"We don't sell Duff, we sell Fudd."

MMJfan

Recipes 

Buckets are easier to dry hop as well.

ThePonchoKid

Recipes 

i use a bucket with a spigot, and every time i xfer to keg i unscrew and thoroughly clean the spigot along with the bucket.

i love the ease of use and i have no worries of contamination seeing as im constantly taking apart and cleaning the spigot. i'll never do a secondary (other than keg) and if i ever bottle i'll find or make a gun love the ease of use

kh54s10

Recipes 

Buckets are easy to use for dry hop or other additions, they stack for storage and don't cost much.

They don't let you see inside easily.
The lid can be a PITA to put on and take off. The seal may leak leading to "no fermentation" threads.

I find Better Bottles just as easy and maybe even easier to clean. I fill with Oxyclean solution to soak. Rinse well, insert a washcloth and swirl it around, remove and rinse it again, Done.

billf2112

Recipes 

What size pot is in the Wiliams kit? But just looking at the picture it has a spicket and looks atleast 8, the wort chiller is awesome. Plus it looks like it has a better bottle carboy in the bucket. I would go with the Williams. I do not want a glass carboy and 5 gallon one is about wirthless to me.

__________________
Bill from Pa

On Deck: Irish Stout,
Primary: Pumpkin Ale
Secondary: Empty
Completed: Red, Wit and Blue, Irish Stout, Red Ale, German Style Amber Lager, All Grain Brews: Irish Red Ale, American Stout, Honey Weizen