Three Most Useful Brewing Tools

[rancidcrabtree]

So this is really simple, I’m wondering what everyone out there considers to be their three most useful brewing tools (I’m talking equipment, software, books, whatever…) For me I think they would have to be:

1. StarSan! – I can’t imagine ever going back to my days of using bleach. This stuff is well worth the price, especially considering its potential for re-use.
2. Hydrometer – Sometimes it’s just nice to know where my fermentation is at, and I’ve learned the hard way that the bubbles lie! Soon will be replaced by a refractometer, whenever it gets here from China…
3. HBT – I’ve heard better advice here than any other brewing information sources, the begginers forum is the perfect place for a noob to hang out and learn a thing or two.

Let me know what you guys think!

 

[motleybrews]

1.autosiphon
2. Vinator
3. How to brew by Palmer

HBT is awesome as well

 

[rancidcrabtree]

Yeah, I'd have to say the autosiphon is right up there with HBT, I kinda forgot about that one!

 

[SouthernCross]

Where'd you find the refractometer, and was it affordable?

 

[kh54s10]

Boil kettle
Water
Heat source.

Without these all the rest doesn't matter a whit!

 

[rancidcrabtree]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-32-Brix-W...ltDomain_0&hash=item3f091967a6#ht_4442wt_1016

It ends up being $29.10 after you add in shipping at it takes a while to get here, but it's a lot cheaper than any other sites I've seen.

 

[SouthernCross]

Cool, thanks. Been looking for an affordable 1. Going to grab 1 of these.

 

[HopKeller]

1. A homebrew to drink while homebrewing
2. Turkey fryer, which gets me out of the house for 3-4 hours
3. HBT

 

[Patirck]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-32-Brix-W...ltDomain_0&hash=item3f091967a6#ht_4442wt_1016

It ends up being $29.10 after you add in shipping at it takes a while to get here, but it's a lot cheaper than any other sites I've seen.

I just got mine a few weeks ago. I don't know I lived without it. Taking gravity readings during a mash was just too much work - not anymore. I know what the first runnings, last runnings and most importantly, the pre boil - I can now adjust my hop additions if the pre boil gravity is too far off. I could also add more runnings if I get super high efficiency and end up with more beer - or at least some ready made starter wort.

A very handy tool.

 

[mcaple1]

1) Water
2) Barley
3) Yeast

....and of course Hops.

 

[Golddiggie]

1. Stirplate for making starters
2. Propane burner(s)
3. BeerSmith

I have the refractometer Bobby_M sells on his site... Low $30 range when I got it... I'd rather support a fellow HBT member with a purchase than someone I don't know from ebray... Although I do tend so score/snipe Sanke kegs off ebay (for fermenting in)... :rockin:

pst, mcaple1, it's supposed to be tools, not ingredients...

 

[cl330b]

1. Passion.
2. Ingredients.
3. Beer Alchemy

... And a supportive wife!

 

[SpaceJunk]

Wine fridge (with controller) for fermenting ales and lagers
Chest freezer for lagering/storage
Stir Plate for making starters

 

[apparatus]

Thermometer
Hydrometer
Sightglass.

 

[mcaple1]

1. Stirplate for making starters
2. Propane burner(s)
3. BeerSmith

I have the refractometer Bobby_M sells on his site... Low $30 range when I got it... I'd rather support a fellow HBT member with a purchase than someone I don't know from ebray... Although I do tend so score/snipe Sanke kegs off ebay (for fermenting in)... :rockin:

pst, mcaple1, it's supposed to be tools, not ingredients...

psst Golddiggie....ingredients are a brewer's tools to making beer....get it straight.

 

[SouthernCross]

1. Stirplate for making starters
2. Propane burner(s)
3. BeerSmith

I have the refractometer Bobby_M sells on his site... Low $30 range when I got it... I'd rather support a fellow HBT member with a purchase than someone I don't know from ebray... Although I do tend so score/snipe Sanke kegs off ebay (for fermenting in)... :rockin:

pst, mcaple1, it's supposed to be tools, not ingredients...

Can you point me to Bobby_m's site? I'd like to support a fellow HBT'er as well.

 

[Zeal]

1. Boil kettle with Spigot
2. Wort chiller
3. Good old fashioned american ingenuity.

 

[scottyg354]

psst Golddiggie....ingredients are a brewer's tools to making beer....get it straight.

A little off topic, but are you willing to share you Minnesota Fall Spiced Holiday Graff recipe. Mouth started water just looking at the name.

 

[unionrdr]

1) Hydrometer
2) vinator
3) bottle tree
Plus a couple other little niceties,but these make it all better.

 

[BrewerinBR]

Hands to make the equipment, mix the grains and heat and add the water!
Nose to smell the mashing grains and boiling hops
Mouth to drink the brew!

 

[Revvy]

Where'd you find the refractometer, and was it affordable?

There was a sale on them through Austin Homebrew mentioned on here last week.

I got mine a couple years ago on a similar sale.