Helloooo HBT from Lockport, IL

[Weisbeer]

Just started out a couple months ago in the homebrewing hobby, or should I say addiction. I started out with the very controversial MrBeer kit for Christmas, but I plan on getting some better equipment and practice a little with what I have first.

Anyone with any words of wisdom or advice before I spend a fortune on a preasembled kit? Thanks to all that reply!

 

[Chudz]

Hello and welcome to the obses . . . er . . . hobby!

If you're asking about an equipment kit, then I went with the cheapest one I could find at my local home brew shop. It's the low-end one from Brewer's Best. That way I figured if I didn't get into it, I wasn't out that much cash. Heh, little did I know. Anyway. . . .

One thing I would suggest involves your brewing pot. Spending a little more in the begining could save you money down the line if you stick with the hobby. For instance, I bought a 20qt stainless steel pot to begin with. Now that's great for partial boils using extract, but not so good if you want to do full boils or head to AG brewing. I guess you could use it for heating the water for sparging etc. though. But if you get a bigger pot to begin with, you may not have to buy the same type of equipment in a bigger size down the line. It all depends on what you want to do, I guess.

Either way, have fun and enjoy!

 

[DragonTail]

Welcome

 

[Pops]

Welcome, from Plainfield.

 

[cheesecake]

Welcome from Elgin


And as far as brew pots go i went aluminum but i bought a 10 gallon one the 2nd time around.

 

[Brickout]

Hey, we're in the same town!

If you're looking for supplies go see Brew & Grow in Bolingbrook. I just went there last week. Really friendly people, great selection and great prices. The even offered me a beer while I shopped.

 

[Weisbeer]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyove!
Cheesecake, isn't the 10 gallon pot kind of big? Do you do your boils on your stove or on a burner? What is the average size of most HB's pot's? I am working out of my small kitchen, so I don't want to have to buy equiptment twice.

 

[Bricetrine]

I would get the biggest and best quality pot you can afford and have room to store. Then checkout Midwest Brewing for kits. I ordered from them and made some substitutions to thier kit and was very pleased.

Good luck, and Great Beer to you!

 

[Bricetrine]

Restaurant supply stores are a great place to get your kettle.

 

[cheesecake]

I have a heating element in my pot. i went 10 gallons because my electric stove could barely boil 4 gallons.

what type of stove are you using?

 

[HopEd]

Welcome to HBT.

I agree with buying the best/biggest pot right away (if you want to go all grain eventually). I bought a 5 gal pot to start, but now I'm debating whether I should buy a 10 gal or another 5 gal and do separate boils (which can be confusing).

 

[cheesecake]

http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/update-international/apt-40/p4857.aspx?source=googleps


Thats the pot i went with. I went with aluminum because it was cheaper. the pot is 4mm thick so its fairly thick

 

[Rhoobarb]

Welcome. Also, check out Zepole on the I-55 service road in B'brook. They carry big aluminum pots - that's where I got mine. You may have to ask at the desk, they keep them in the back, not usually on display.