My new kit idea starting from the Northern Essential kit..

[joshbhs04]

So here is what im looking at so far to get my in home brewery started. I started a few years back with the MR Beer and just didnt enjoy the process as it seemed to cut and dry. I was talking to one of my cigar buddies and he mentioned his wife got him a kit from Williams and I loved going over there and helping with the brews. So, this is kind of my own lil custom idea to get started any feedback will be appreciated.


1-Norther Brewer Essential Kit
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/essential-brewing-starter-kit.html


2-Northern MegaPot with ball valve 8 Gal (ill be doing 5 gal batches so if 10 is best I will change it).
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/megapot-with-ball-valve-brewmometer.html

3- Standard 3/8 x 25 wort chiller
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/standard-chiller-3-8-x25-with-vinyl-tubing.html

4- 6 Gal Glass Carboy for secondary or primary
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/6-gallon-glass-carboy.html

5- Carboy Hauler
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/the-brew-hauler.html

6- A few extra airlocks and maybe a backup autosiphon system. Also, some yeast feeder and the 1000ml yeast starter.

So what do you guys think?

 

[beerman0001]

Do you already have a burner? For a carboy go with the better bottle you wont regret it.

 

[BradleyBrew]

looks good. I would spend a little more a get at least a 2000ml yeast starter kit. Especially if you want to do lagers in the future.

 

[Yooper]

If you're going to ferment in a carboy, get the biggest size. I have a ton of 5 gallon carboys that are never used (except for wine). I normally ferment in an "ale pail" so I can dryhop in there without messing around with getting hops in or out of the carboy. I'd suggest starting smaller, maybe don't get a carboy at all, at least not yet, until you decide for yourself if you need one. If you don't get a carboy, you won't need a carboy hauler.

(I won't drag in the whole "no secondary" argument into this equipment thread, but that's why I almost never use carboys in brewing).

What kind of burner do you have? You'll want something that can easily boil wort in your pot. I have a SQ-14 and it works fine.

An autosiphon is included in your kit, but I don't see a hydrometer. You need one, along with a test jar.

 

[joshbhs04]

If you're going to ferment in a carboy, get the biggest size. I have a ton of 5 gallon carboys that are never used (except for wine). I normally ferment in an "ale pail" so I can dryhop in there without messing around with getting hops in or out of the carboy. I'd suggest starting smaller, maybe don't get a carboy at all, at least not yet, until you decide for yourself if you need one. If you don't get a carboy, you won't need a carboy hauler.

(I won't drag in the whole "no secondary" argument into this equipment thread, but that's why I almost never use carboys in brewing).

What kind of burner do you have? You'll want something that can easily boil wort in your pot. I have a SQ-14 and it works fine.

An autosiphon is included in your kit, but I don't see a hydrometer. You need one, along with a test jar.

Thanks! Ill forgo the carboy until a future date if neeed. But, shouls I grab another bucket for secondary/dryhopping? We use my turkey fryer burner for our batches now. I will be grabbing a hydrometer as well, just forgot to add that to the list haha.

 

[xmacro]

You don't need a yeast starter if you're using dry yeast (rehydrating for 20-30 min is enough); liquid yeast benefits from a yeast starter

And don't forget the star-san and a big ass metal spoon for stirring the boiling wort.

Also might wanna think about a fermentation chamber in the future

 

[Yooper]

Thanks! Ill forgo the carboy until a future date if neeed. But, shouls I grab another bucket for secondary/dryhopping? We use my turkey fryer burner for our batches now. I will be grabbing a hydrometer as well, just forgot to add that to the list haha.

If you're going to secondary (more correctly a "bright tank" or "clearing vessel"), then you'll want a carboy. Using a bucket after fermentation ends means a wide headspace, leaving the beer vulnerable to infection and oxidation. The reason that doesn't happen in primary in a bucket is because there is co2 being produced, which forms a sort of blanket over the beer and the co2 pushes out the oxygen. This is an inhospitable environment to mold, bacteria, etc, so it has a protective effect. But once fermentation ends, this co2 production ends so a bucket is not a good choice for a clearing vessel.

I rarely use a clearing vessel, but if I do it is a 5 gallon carboy. You want to minimize any headspace at that time.

 

[joshbhs04]

If you're going to secondary (more correctly a "bright tank" or "clearing vessel"), then you'll want a carboy. Using a bucket after fermentation ends means a wide headspace, leaving the beer vulnerable to infection and oxidation. The reason that doesn't happen in primary in a bucket is because there is co2 being produced, which forms a sort of blanket over the beer and the co2 pushes out the oxygen. This is an inhospitable environment to mold, bacteria, etc, so it has a protective effect. But once fermentation ends, this co2 production ends so a bucket is not a good choice for a clearing vessel.

I rarely use a clearing vessel, but if I do it is a 5 gallon carboy. You want to minimize any headspace at that time.

So for dryhopping would you just add the hops towards the end of the fermentation?

 

[joshbhs04]

You don't need a yeast starter if you're using dry yeast (rehydrating for 20-30 min is enough); liquid yeast benefits from a yeast starter

And don't forget the star-san and a big ass metal spoon for stirring the boiling wort.

Also might wanna think about a fermentation chamber in the future

Ill be using liqoud yeast thats wht I wanted a starter to improve my results. And, trust me ill be buying plenty of star san!

 

[menerdari]

I would consider the 10 gallon pot as well, Just bought one myself, my 30 quart just wasn't enough.
If you do a full boil with 1-1/2 gallon boil off that starts you at 6-1/2 gallons, that is not far from the top of an 8 gallon pot once it starts boiling.
You'll will be glad for the extra room if you want to do a BIAB at some point.