extract brewing equipment list

[Captainfester]

Hi all,

I would like to create a list to the absolutely needed equipment and the "optional" equipment for a new person to home brewing. The thought process being that the new person probably will start with an extract + specialty grains kit.

If a solid list is complied with why you need the items maybe we could have it stickied as a equipment guide for the real first timer.

 

[Captainfester]

saving for more room / the list

 

[Dr. Francois]

My essentials:

pot, 10 quart or larger
plastic bucket with lid, 6 gallon or larger
Heatproof spoon, 12 inches or longer
airlock (really optional, I've discovered)
mesh grain bags or fine mesh strainer
Syphon device of any kind plus 6 feet of tubing (I like auto-syphon, but racking cane is good.)
Sanitizer (Iodophor or StarSan)
Packaging media (glass bottles, soda bottles, polypins, tap-a-draft, keg, cask)


Essential ingredients to keep around:
Whirlfloc tabs
Priming sugar

 

[volktc]

Hygrometer
Some type of testing vessell (usually whatever the hygrometer came in)
Beer thief for samples
A device to cap your bottles

Ivvesting in a bucket with a spigot for bottling wouldn't hurt either

 

[RM-MN]

Hmmm...Brewers Best Kits has a starter equipment kit that has all the essential equipment in it already except for the boiling pot and bottles. Why do you want to make a new list?

 

[unionrdr]

Midwest also has a basic starter kit for $65...

 

[joshb_]

The one thing I wish I had right off the start was a large boil pot. Boils are extremely messy and a large pot will prevent the mess if you get distracted during the boil.

 

[sketerbuck]

Hmmm...Brewers Best Kits has a starter equipment kit that has all the essential equipment in it already except for the boiling pot and bottles. Why do you want to make a new list?

Get an ingredient kit and a equipment kit and your ready to start. I recommend people get starsan and an auto siphon. Then find some bottles in the next three weeks and your ready to go.

 

[FatBaldBeerGuy]

Northern Brewer's Basic and Advanced starter kits include Star San and PBW along with all the necessities as well.

Just get that (or any of the above kits) and an extract kit and you are golden?

 

[Voodoo_Child]

I was thinking of buying the deluxe kit on Midwest with the glass carboy, but now I'm going to head to my LHBS since he gives homebrew club members 10% off. That and to build a relationship with the guy since he brings members whatever they need to the monthly meetings.

I decided to go full boil, so I have on my list: a 9 gallon kettle, propane burner, and chiller. Plus all the necessities: cleaner, sanitizer, auto siphon blah blah blah.

The guy I know from the club doesn't use bucket fermenters so I might go for a 6.5 carboy.

I've done more research than necessary, but I would compare what Midwest, Northern Brewer, More Beer, Adventures in Homebrewing include in their kits and go from there.

 

[RM-MN]

The guy I know from the club doesn't use bucket fermenters so I might go for a 6.5 carboy.

You might want to rethink that idea if you read the threads on here about injuries due to broken carboys. The chances that you will break on are small but it only takes once. On the plus side of plastic buckets is that if you have several (they are cheap enough to do that) and have more than one empty at a time (unlikely I know) they can stack for storage, one inside the other. Lets see you do that with carboys.

 

[Voodoo_Child]

You might want to rethink that idea if you read the threads on here about injuries due to broken carboys. The chances that you will break on are small but it only takes once. On the plus side of plastic buckets is that if you have several (they are cheap enough to do that) and have more than one empty at a time (unlikely I know) they can stack for storage, one inside the other. Lets see you do that with carboys.

I have read about the horrendous accidents but I think there is a chance of injury in every hobby, or activity for that matter. I plan on keeping them in milk crates with blankets acting as a buffer. I like the cool factor of seeing the fermentation and I have thought about Better Bottles but I'm not sure about scratches in the plastic harboring nasties. You do have a good point about stacking the buckets since I'm tight on space and buckets are dirt cheap.
I'll ask around at my homebrew club's brew day this Saturday and see what the consensus is.

 

[unionrdr]

I don't stack my buckets like that. Too easy to scratch them on the inside.