Alright, so I have been looking into doing some home-brewing for about 2 weeks.. I have done a lot of reading on this forum and viewed numerous youtube videos. On top of that, I have been scouring website after website trying to find what would best fit me as a beginners kit.
So far my list, please feel free to add to it: that is why I am here posting
Northern Brewer Deluxe Starting Kit Glass Carboy (American Wheat):
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/...-starter-kits/deluxe-brewing-starter-kit.html
12 oz Beer Bottles - Amber Glass - Case of 24x3 (Total 72):
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/12-oz-beer-bottles-amber-case-of-24.html
Gravity Testing Kit:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/...wery-essentials-gravity-testing-assembly.html
KM14 Pocket Digital Themometer:
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/km14-pocket-digital-themometer.html
8oz Star-San:
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/star-san.html
Alright so this is my list so far, Please feel free to mention something I am missing! I am at $266.xx so far with a budget of $300.00. If you spot something that is cheaper that I may have overlooked or in your opinion a better kit to start off with, please let me know!
Some Questions I have if someone can be kind enough to answer:
1) I do have a kettle large enough to accommodate a 5 gallon brew. Should I pick up one just dedicated to brewing or just use the one I have now? EDIT: I have a Propane burner with an 80qt kettle. I will be doing this on a covered part of my lanai.
2) I live in Naples, Florida (Southwest Florida), where temperatures around summer time can reach 80-105° F. I plan on using a plastic bin filled with water/ice to keep it cool in a storage closet(My house stays at constant 73° F), do I need to take any other precautions to help regulate the temperature? (I do have a chest freezer out in the garage that I may use if I get into this hobby more).
3) Is there really any benefit to having a plastic Carboy over a Glass? I don't care about the cost so much as I want something reliable.
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, I know it's a tall order! I really appreciate any help and look forward to being a member of this forum!
UPDATE: 7/28/14 @ 8:30
Alright, I finally pulled the trigger and I believe the bullet hit the target! I got my order... I slimmed down the amount and decided to do some DIY projects!
Purchase List:
Brewing Kit:
http://www.homebrewing.org/Brewers-Best-BeAst-Equipment-Kit-with-Better-Bottle-Carboy_p_3155.html
Hank's Hefeweizen Extract Beer Kit:
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/hank-s-hefeweizen.html
8oz Star-San:
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/star-san.html
That is what I have bought so far. I also ordered on Amazon a big tub of Oxiclean Free and will see how that works. I found a great tutorial of how to make a wort chiller from a guy that actually lives in Naples! [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6w4b0-5tvM[/ame] . The only thing now that I am going to do is go out to a Total Wine near me and buy at least 2x 24 packs of beer (I also bought 140 caps or so to go along with it). Next thing on my list is a Digital Temperature Controller for my chest freezer. You guys have been great so far, and have literally threw my plans for a 360 for the better! When I get everything in, I will try to take some pictures of my first attempt at brewing some Hefeweizen! Cheers!
So far my list, please feel free to add to it: that is why I am here posting
Northern Brewer Deluxe Starting Kit Glass Carboy (American Wheat):
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/...-starter-kits/deluxe-brewing-starter-kit.html
12 oz Beer Bottles - Amber Glass - Case of 24x3 (Total 72):
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/12-oz-beer-bottles-amber-case-of-24.html
Gravity Testing Kit:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/...wery-essentials-gravity-testing-assembly.html
KM14 Pocket Digital Themometer:
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/km14-pocket-digital-themometer.html
8oz Star-San:
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/star-san.html
Alright so this is my list so far, Please feel free to mention something I am missing! I am at $266.xx so far with a budget of $300.00. If you spot something that is cheaper that I may have overlooked or in your opinion a better kit to start off with, please let me know!
Some Questions I have if someone can be kind enough to answer:
1) I do have a kettle large enough to accommodate a 5 gallon brew. Should I pick up one just dedicated to brewing or just use the one I have now? EDIT: I have a Propane burner with an 80qt kettle. I will be doing this on a covered part of my lanai.
2) I live in Naples, Florida (Southwest Florida), where temperatures around summer time can reach 80-105° F. I plan on using a plastic bin filled with water/ice to keep it cool in a storage closet(My house stays at constant 73° F), do I need to take any other precautions to help regulate the temperature? (I do have a chest freezer out in the garage that I may use if I get into this hobby more).
3) Is there really any benefit to having a plastic Carboy over a Glass? I don't care about the cost so much as I want something reliable.
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, I know it's a tall order! I really appreciate any help and look forward to being a member of this forum!
UPDATE: 7/28/14 @ 8:30
Alright, I finally pulled the trigger and I believe the bullet hit the target! I got my order... I slimmed down the amount and decided to do some DIY projects!
Purchase List:
Brewing Kit:
http://www.homebrewing.org/Brewers-Best-BeAst-Equipment-Kit-with-Better-Bottle-Carboy_p_3155.html
Hank's Hefeweizen Extract Beer Kit:
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/hank-s-hefeweizen.html
8oz Star-San:
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/star-san.html
That is what I have bought so far. I also ordered on Amazon a big tub of Oxiclean Free and will see how that works. I found a great tutorial of how to make a wort chiller from a guy that actually lives in Naples! [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6w4b0-5tvM[/ame] . The only thing now that I am going to do is go out to a Total Wine near me and buy at least 2x 24 packs of beer (I also bought 140 caps or so to go along with it). Next thing on my list is a Digital Temperature Controller for my chest freezer. You guys have been great so far, and have literally threw my plans for a 360 for the better! When I get everything in, I will try to take some pictures of my first attempt at brewing some Hefeweizen! Cheers!