About to get a new kit

I am about to purchase a starter kit and begin homebrewing on my own (I have helped a number of my friends brew a few times, but am just getting into it on my own).

I was lookinig at this one from Midwest, and probably going to get this upgrade.

The starter kit includes:
• Instructional Homebrewing DVD
• 5 Gallon Glass Carboy
• 6.5 Gallon Plastic Fermenter with Lid
• 6.5 Gallon Bottling Bucket with Spigot
• 8 Oz. of Easy Clean No-Rinse Cleanser
• Drilled Universal Carboy Bung
• Airlock (Keeps air out of the fermenter)
• Hydrometer (Determines alcohol content)
• Bottle Brush
• Carboy Brush
• Black Beauty Bottle Capper
• Bottle Caps
• Liquid Crystal Thermometer
• Bottle Filler
• Fermtech AutoSiphon upgrade
• Siphon Tubing
• Shutoff clamp


The upgrade has:
Immersion Wort Chiller, a Carboy Dryer/Drainer, a Jet Bottle Washer and Faucet Adapter, a nylon grain/hop bag, and the book "How to Brew."

Just wondering if you guys think that this is everything that I will need (obviously will be getting a kettle, but recommendations on that would be helpful as well)?

Any advice is appreciated

A regular thermometer, wine thief and a bottle of star-san come to mind. Also a turkey fryer from craigslist.

What is a turkey fryer used for?

Boiling wort

The turkey fryer gives you a 30 qt brewpot and a propane burner. The propane burner will cut the time to bring water to a boil. It has a lot more btu's than your stove.

I use a 6.5 gallon fermenter bucket, and I wish I had gotten an 8 gallon bucket instead. I've been reading about occasional extra strong fermentations blowing out the fermenter (either the airlock or the lid). This seems to be a non-issue with an 8 gallon fermenter.

I would also consider the kit that has the Better Bottle. There are pros and cons to glass vs plastic that are easy to find in this forum so I don't want to derail the thread into another debate. Regardless of whether you go glass or plastic, you will want to get a way to carry the carboy - I use this: http://www.midwestsupplies.com/home...pment/carboy-accessories/the-brew-hauler.html

It works very well.

Get a pot that will allow you to move into all grain somewhere down the road. Worst case is you can do full volume extracts if you never move to all grain. You will have to decide between aluminum vs stainless steel, another debate that is easily found on this forum. I have this one which works well:
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/home...-steel-brewing-pot-with-spigot-10-gallon.html

A cheaper version is here:
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/home...y-duty-stainless-steel-brew-pot-40-quart.html