Essential non brewing equipment

[pvpeacock]

My sump pump has been a time saver. I use it for cycling ice water through my immersion chiller for cool down, diy keg and fermenter cleaner, kegerator line cleaning, etc


View attachment 708802 View attachment 708803

Would you mind describing how you made this and provide a parts list? Also, do you clean kegs with it in a bucket or how?

 

[Knightshade]

Would you mind describing how you made this and provide a parts list? Also, do you clean kegs with it in a bucket or how?

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/another-diy-keg-fermenter-washer.666573/https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/i-made-a-keg-carboy-washer-out-of-a-utility-pump.665002/
I made something pretty similar to the first link. Outside of the ball lock connectors, all the parts you can get at your local home improvement store. I ended up with a couple of trips to Home Depot before I got it all figured out....but...that's just because I never do anything the easy way. If a job has a rough estimated time of X minutes, hours, etc., I'll easily end up taking up twice that amount of time.

 

[pvpeacock]

Thank you Knightshade.

 

[seatazzz]

@seatazzz
Is this the one?
View attachment 708861

Same concept but different brand. I love that thing.

 

[Gozie Boy]

Greywolf mentioned a light, and how right that is! This is what I use, all the time, between my brewery, keezer, and lots of other places. W

ith a XC4 or 6 battery, this lasts almost forever on a charge.

 

[AzOr]

Greywolf mentioned a light, and how right that is! This is what I use, all the time, between my brewery, keezer, and lots of other places. WView attachment 709006ith a XC4 or 6 battery, this lasts almost forever on a charge.

Doh!!
How could I forget my headlamp?!?!
I constantly have that thing on my head when brewing or just screwing around the garage or maintenance on the vehicles.

Btw- I’ve gone through quite a few brands and models before settling on this model. I love that it has a rechargeable battery but can also run on AAAs.

 

[cyto]

This hydraulic rolling cart has been a life saver for me. Due to spine problems I can't pick up anything heavy so I bought this and just slide things on and off of it to where they need to go. The fermenter stays on it until I empty it when bottling. BTW that is an imperial stout that I am bottling today.

 

[Bronco1500]

That thing is Sa-Weet! .... Ive thought of using an old ATV winch for lifting heavy pots, but yer method is more appropriate ....

 

[cyto]

That thing is Sa-Weet! .... Ive thought of using an old ATV winch for lifting heavy pots, but yer method is more appropriate ....

https://www.harborfreight.com/500-lbs-capacity-hydraulic-table-cart-61405.html

 

[cayde1001]

Would you mind describing how you made this and provide a parts list? Also, do you clean kegs with it in a bucket or how?

Sorry I missed this question. Looks like @Knightshade answered with some links that are very similar to mine. I built mine from a post I read on brulosophy, BruBlaster. They have a parts list too. I bought my pvc parts come the big box store and ordered the pump and cip online. I originally used a bucket lid to set the keg/carboy on but it was very flimsy, so I did another one out of a pizza pan and it was much sturdier.

 

[AzOr]

Harbor Freight has these on sale for 5 bucks. Seems like a great deal but I haven't checked them out yet. I was using one from Amazon and I dropped it off my counter. The nozzle part broke off. I ordered a replacement that evening. They really do come in handy. I've bottled a little bit straight from my tap (using Tapcooler filler) and I no longer use a starsan bath. I give each bottle a quick squirt and I'm ready.

 

[kxavier_23]

One gallon metal pitcher

View attachment 708805

Where’d you find this? Ask I can find is aluminum ones.

Looking for a gallon SS.

 

[madscientist451]

Essential equipment for me: a pint glass so I can sip some beer while I'm brewing.

 

[NGD]

Essential on early morning brews.

+1 on the headlamp.

 

[AzOr]

An episode dedicated to what we are discussing here.
When I saw this I immediately ordered the butterfly hose clamps. I had no idea these things existed. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit how many times I’ve jabbed my hand w a screwdriver trying to tighten hose clamps.
Another thing she mentions is microfiber cloths- I use the same ones. They have a million uses and are easy to clean.

 

[NGD]

Pro tip: Regular black sharpie will
come off with alcohol. Red sharpie is a PITA to get the last 10% off.
Sharpies labeled “industrial use” won’t come all the way off with anything I’m aware of.

I’m stealing the idea of using a garden sprayer. I’ve been through to many of those Zep hand sprayers.

 

[Spartan1979]

Where’d you find this? Ask I can find is aluminum ones.

Looking for a gallon SS.

I have two of the one gallon aluminum pitchers (the one in the pick is the same as mine and looks to be aluminum). They're handy in the brewery but it doesn't bother me that they're aluminum.

 

[Spartan1979]

An episode dedicated to what we are discussing here.
When I saw this I immediately ordered the butterfly hose clamps. I had no idea these things existed. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit how many times I’ve jabbed my hand w a screwdriver trying to tighten hose clamps.
Another thing she mentions is microfiber cloths- I use the same ones. They have a million uses and are easy to clean.

I use a nut driver to turn those clamps. Much easier to use than a screwdriver and safer.

 

[AzOr]

I use a nut driver to turn those clamps. Much easier to use than a screwdriver and safer.

Yeah that’s the smart thing to do. However I often choose the other option, especially when I’m in a hurry.

 

[TheBluePhantom]

Crack scale, and the big scale too...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HCKQG7G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Birrofilo]

I find essential the racket to get rid of flies (and mosquitoes, naturally)

https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B087JNVWRX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Cheap trolley to move around fermenters and kettles in my flat

https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B00BN57RBQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Cheap pulley, €12

https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B003XMWQRC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Serious 60cm stainless steel spoon, doesn't break in your hands:

https://www.mr-malt.it/cucchiaio-acciaio-60-cm.html
Cheap €16 but fast and effective thermometer: I use it continuously, for sparge water, for re-hydrating water, for mash, for boil, for wort. I don't know how did I do without

https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B085ZTWW56/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[AzOr]

Crack scale, and the big scale too...
View attachment 719661

Amazon.com

Ha! I have a small scale similar to the one below.
Apparently drug dealers have really good eyesight. I struggle to see the writing on mine. Works great for pellet hops and mineral additions.
https://www.amazon.com/American-Wei...e&qid=1614036655&sprefix=blade+pocket+&sr=8-4

 

[Birrofilo]

I use this chemist scale which weights to the milligram

https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B011J88S8M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title
I use it for the water conditioning (minerals).

Also a pipette which is marked at 1 ml is very useful. That is usually found with liquid herbal tinctures or, in case, can be bought at a chemist's. That makes lactic acid additions easy.

[Once you go the chemist's, you can order some ammonium bicarbonate to prepare candi sugar].

 

[NewJersey]

An episode dedicated to what we are discussing here.
When I saw this I immediately ordered the butterfly hose clamps. I had no idea these things existed. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit how many times I’ve jabbed my hand w a screwdriver trying to tighten hose clamps.
Another thing she mentions is microfiber cloths- I use the same ones. They have a million uses and are easy to clean.

You mean you didn't amazon a 1/4" ratchet set just for homebrew stuff?

 

[day_trippr]

fwiw, I use worm clamps for all kinds of fermentation and racking stuff, and keep these two drivers handy in my brew pantry...

Cheers!

 

[AzOr]

fwiw, I use worm clamps for all kinds of fermentation and racking stuff, and keep these two drivers handy in my brew pantry...

View attachment 719724

Cheers!

I have tools but they seem to hide from me when I need them the most. A tool free option comes in handy.
The other nice thing about butterfly clamps is that it’s harder to overtighten.

 

[Beermeister32]

Stainless steel roll-around beer cart. Had all my chemicals, tools and oxygen bottle attached, very handy.

 

[Electric Brewer]

White board

 

[Erik the Anglophile]

If you use something for brewing although not originally intended for it, does it not then become brewing equipment?

 

[Birrofilo]

If you use something for brewing although not originally intended for it, does it not then become brewing equipment?

Yes, but it's good source of inspiration for other homebrewers, I guess that's the spirit of the thread. Sometimes little objects offer great solutions to small problems.

 

[NGD]

Almost forgot one of my most important and most ignored pieces of equipment. A simple 120mm fan in my fermentation chamber to keep temps more consistent.

https://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Mobilefan-II-Cooling-Fan/dp/B072394MRD

 

[Electric Brewer]

If you use something for brewing although not originally intended for it, does it not then become brewing equipment?

Totally. In the same way, if you clean the vaccum cleaner, you become a vaccum cleaner.

 

[Erik the Anglophile]

I think everything is brewing equipment, God wills it. Otherwise he would not have given man the mind to invent beer.

 

[Erik the Anglophile]

Totally. In the same way, if you clean the vaccum cleaner, you become a vaccum cleaner.

Does this make people "smart" bottle fillers and kegerators?

 

[Birrofilo]

This hydraulic rolling cart has been a life saver for me.

I cannot find anything similar here but I am seriously considering an "alzadamigiane" (carboy lifter)

https://www.polsinelli.it/carrello-alzadamigiana-P514.htm
This arrives up to 90cm from the ground, the lifting action is through an hand pulley.
I have to decide whether my apartment is for my use or my beer. I think I will ultimately buy this as well.

 

[bwible]

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/st...3/1046453716?skuId=46453716&mcid=OS_googlepla

 

[AzOr]

White board
View attachment 719789

great idea! This will be my next brewing purchase. I usually end up jotting down notes and last minute recipe tweaks on random paper bags that my grain came in.

 

[bwible]

White board

I have a small-ish one I use just to keep track of everything. Whats on tap, whats in bottles, whats in primary, what’s in secondary for an overview of where I’m at.

I still label everything. I just stick painter’s tape on my carboy and write what it is, date brewed, og, and yeast. Then I just transfer the tape to another carboy if I use a settling carboy. Finally I can transfer the same piece of tape to the inside lid of the case when/if I bottle.

For bottle labels I am loving these FastLabels, but they seem to be getting hard to find now. Basically a plastic shrink that goes over the bottom 3/4 of the bottle. I print my labels with Photoshop and cut them out. Then you stick the label inside the plastic shrink and do a quick dunk in boiling water. No glue or anything, and the plastic is waterproof. When you’re done you just peel the plastic off and the label falls right off.

For my kegerator, I have a couple blank tap handles I bought. Again I just print the labels with photoshop, cut them out and stick them on with double sided tape. I used to cover the label with clear contact paper first, but I haven’t even been doing that lately.

 

[smata67]

This carboy brush is ESSENTIAL for getting at tough to clean spots, particularly the upper corners of the 3 gallon better bottle.

 

[oskee]

Latest pick up for wife who requires carbonated water on draft. Struggled with removing the Sankey retaining ring (I keg 15 gallons of water at a time and not aware of a 15 gallon corny keg) and almost purchased a tool designed for it's removal. It was $2 vice the $30 for the specialized tool.