Cider kit recommendations please.

[CMcPherson]

I'm doing some Christmas shopping and would like to get a simple all-in-one cider kit for my mother.
She saw my carboy bubbling away and was intrigued.
I know her well enough to know that she will do a batch or two and the novelty will wear off and that will be it for her.
Also, she will become overwhelmed if it gets too involved.
Nothing like myself. I become a totally engrossed geek for this kind of stuff and dive head-long into the minutia of it all.

Please recommend a good quality and simple kit that will make a decent fruit wine/cider that she can play with.

The Brewers Best Cider House Select kits look like nothing more than over-priced bags of juice concentrate.

 

[dmtaylor]

Kit? Just buy some juice from an orchard and let it ferment in the original jugs or a Carboy. There ain't nothing easier to ferment on this planet than apple cider. Seriously.

 

[MarkKF]

Buy her a 3 gal. Carboy and two 1 gal. jugs. Some stoppers, air locks and a siphon. She can start 2-1/2 gal. in the carboy then rack into the gal. jugs after s couple of weeks. When those are done she can just cap them and put them into the fridge. Easy!

 

[dmtaylor]

Buy her a 3 gal. Carboy and two 1 gal. jugs. Some stoppers, air locks and a siphon. She can start 2-1/2 gal. in the carboy then rack into the gal. jugs after s couple of weeks. When those are done she can just cap them and put them into the fridge. Easy!

I second that emotion.

 

[CMcPherson]

I can't very well buy her a jug of Mott's apple juice with the advice to let it set on her counter so that it can ferment and call it a Christmas gift now can I?
The whole point is enjoying the act of opening an unexpected surprise and then enjoying its use.

Buy her a 3 gal. Carboy and two 1 gal. jugs. Some stoppers, air locks and a siphon.

Yes... just some very basic equipment. Not even a hydrometer.
I was just hoping to find something that came in a nice package worthy of opening on Christmas morning is all.
I don't understand the Brewers Best "kit", it just seems to be a bag of juice concentrate.

So, if someone has used a basic equipment kit that will survive a couple of batches, please make a recommendation.

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

I can't very well buy her a jug of Mott's apple juice with the advice to let it set on her counter so that it can ferment and call it a Christmas gift now can I?
The whole point is enjoying the act of opening an unexpected surprise and then enjoying its use.

Yes... just some very basic equipment. Not even a hydrometer.
I was just hoping to find something that came in a nice package worthy of opening on Christmas morning is all.
I don't understand the Brewers Best "kit", it just seems to be a bag of juice concentrate.

So, if someone has used a basic equipment kit that will survive a couple of batches, please make a recommendation.

Link won't paste, so search "Brooklyn cider kit" and check out their site.
I haven't used this, but it looks like it is more of what you're looking for in a "gift".

 

[teamacacia]

Link won't paste, so search "Brooklyn cider kit" and check out their site.
I haven't used this, but it looks like it is more of what you're looking for in a "gift".

I started with the Brooklyn brew cider kit that my wife bought for me last Christmas. It has basically everything you need to get going other than the bottles to bottle your cider. I have purchased a few more carboys and plan to pick up an auto-siphon if I don't get them for Christmas this year.

 

[Daxxxus]

I just finished a cider kit from Black Rock. Use one can comes out like strong bow. Really nice and easy.

 

[CMcPherson]

Thanks all!
I ordered a BrewDemon Hard Cider Kit.
It's a 2 gal plastic conical fermentor and comes with one recipe.
She won't have to rack and can just pour off into mason jars and store in her fridge.

 

[madscientist451]

I agree with not buying a cider kit. If she makes a mediocre cider will she want to continue? Put together your own "kit": 3 gallon better bottle, two 1 gallon jugs, stoppers, airlocks, auto siphon, carboy brush container of star-san. When she opens the gift, tell her you'll bring over the cider ingredients and make cider together. make a 2.5 gallon batch in the 3 gallon carboy, rack to the 1 gallon jugs for aging/stabilization.
If she decides its too much work, you'll probably end up getting all the cider equipment back.

 

[Maylar]

I checked out that Brewdemon kit and I think its an awesome way to go. I love the little conical fermentor, I think I'll get one myself.

 

[Firewalker11]

I second that emotion.

I third that emoticon! No kit, just buy a bucket and three piece. Walk her through the first batch, if she balks and doesn't do it gain, you are out the cost of the cider and a bucket...

 

[CMcPherson]

Jeez... some of you guys, it's no wonder the reputation that us men have for giving lousy gifts to woman!
I already purchased the Brewdemon kit.
There was no way that I was going to by my Mother a plastic 5 gal bucket for Christmas.

Birthday, Christmas and Anniversary gifts for woman are all about the packaging, delivery method and complete lack of practicality.
You see, it so totally doesn't matter if she makes a second batch, let alone ever uses it again.
She'll receive an unusual and completely unexpected gift that has absolutely no usefulness other than her happiness. :rockin:

 

[Firewalker11]

You must be young because a plastic pail with a bunch of girly stuff in it all wrapped up nice is just fine. YOU spending time (and a great deal of patience) with her and learning from her while you are doing it together is the gift. Fancy fermenters are like gold plated wrenches, they do the same job but you spend way too much for them. I doubt she wants bling, time and love, that's the ticket!

 

[CMcPherson]

Ok... settle down. You must be single because a plastic bucket should never be included on Christmas morning unless you sprung for a real tree that needs to be kept watered.
Yes, I am young... 46.
My mother (who isn't young) and I are separated by 1,200 miles. So, since I will be walking her through this "simple" process over the phone, it had to have as few components as possible.
I have to walk her through setting up a new contact on her phone. I can't handle explaining how to use a racking cane.
Believe me, there is nothing fancy about this $55 (including shipping) plastic fermentor.
But it is just what I was looking for... SIMPLE (for her) and moderately priced (for me).

Man... nothing personal ok? It's just that I made it clear that I was looking for a packaged kit. Don't get all twisted up because I poo pooed your idea.
Merry Christmas friend

 

[MarkKF]

Not personal my friend but if you bought the items I suggested from Amazon they would have packaged them together and shipped to your mother. Gift wrapping available. I have a Mr. Beer kit I got years ago. It's still in the box. And I now have a cellar full of buckets, carboys and corny kegs.

 

[madscientist451]

Call me a hopeless skeptic, but I really doubt you can make any kind of acceptable cider from a kit. Cider is like wine and it all starts with the fruit. But I see your point of wanting to give a gift and being far away; Its just not practical to do any more than the cider kit. Well, here's a "Cheers" to you and your mom, hope she can make some cider and drink it in good health!

 

[Firewalker11]

Ok... settle down. You must be single because a plastic bucket should never be included on Christmas morning unless you sprung for a real tree that needs to be kept watered.
Yes, I am young... 46.
My mother (who isn't young) and I are separated by 1,200 miles. So, since I will be walking her through this "simple" process over the phone, it had to have as few components as possible.
I have to walk her through setting up a new contact on her phone. I can't handle explaining how to use a racking cane.
Believe me, there is nothing fancy about this $55 (including shipping) plastic fermentor.
But it is just what I was looking for... SIMPLE (for her) and moderately priced (for me).

Man... nothing personal ok? It's just that I made it clear that I was looking for a packaged kit. Don't get all twisted up because I poo pooed your idea.
Merry Christmas friend

Merry Christmas to you and yours!