Starter equipment kit recommendations? - Page 2

shlauncha · 04-27-2009, 03:48 AM

Buy a basic(bucket) kit, no need for a secondary until you get a few brews under your belt.. if ever.

llazy_llama · 04-27-2009, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patd

I'm in the same boat. I've been sitting down at night for the last week intent on ordering a kit, but I end up spending an hour comparing the kits/additional equipment at different websites, and always walk away never being able to choose a final option. I just got done doing it again, due to Northern Brewer being out of the basic wort chillers. I almost pulled the trigger on the Midwest Homebrewing complete kit, but that one has a bucket instead of a carboy as the primary (I want to see everything going on inside). Oh well maybe tomorrow night...I better do it soon before my wife spends the extra cash hanging out in the bank!

Then just tack on a 6 gallon better bottle, a carboy cap or stopper, and an extra airlock. Seriously, as far as the online homebrew stores go, Midwest has the best starter deal out there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shlauncha

Buy a basic(bucket) kit, no need for a secondary until you get a few brews under your belt.. if ever.

Secondaries aren't generally an indicator of more experience, but less. Most people start off using secondaries, then stop after they realize the benefits of extended primaries. If I'm going to secondary, it's for one of very few reasons. Either oaking, dry hopping, adding souring cultures, adding fruit, or if I just plain need to free up a larger fermenter.

Chrysee · 04-27-2009, 12:09 PM

Just to chime in. We make our beer in an apartment and have no trouble getting to boil with our stove, using a 22qt stainless steel stock pot. So far, it's been pretty quick to boil. I would try it indoors on a stove first before purchasing something that could potentially get you in trouble with your landlord. I know ours would not be happy to see us in the parking lot, or god forbid on our balcony trying to make beer.

fotomatt1 · 04-27-2009, 12:51 PM

I'm going to buy a 30 qt pot and I'll test doing a full boil with water first. I think my stove can handle it, but if not, I'll just do partial boils. My biggest problem is controlling fermentation temperature. I'd much rather build a fermentation chamber out of a mini fridge since it doesn't take up much room. I also don't want a swamp cooler sitting in the corner of my small apartment for 2 or 3 weeks at a time.