Noob Question: Kit of build my own

[Merwin510]

Hello Everyone - I am new to home brewing and looking to start slow. However I can easily see this becoming a serious hobby (or outright obsession.)

I have a noob question for everyone. Is it cheaper/better to purchase a kit or piece mil my own together.

There is one "deluxe kit" I have my eye on for about $230 which seems to have everything I think I need.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[tj218]

First, it all depends on how much money you are able/willing to spend, only you know the answer to that.

That being said, I would start simple. Most basic kits have everything you will need to get started. It doesn't make much sense buying a xx # of fermentors until you know how much you plan to brew (and drink). Plus you MAY decide you don't like it, find it takes too much time and effort (hopefully not!).

Once you get started and refine your process, you will have a much better idea of what if any equipment upgrades you want or need. For example, I almost bought a wort chiller before I did my first batch, but I have found just using an ice bath I can cool the wort down in 15min, a wort chiller would at best save a few minutes off of that. Not worth the $60+ if you ask me, and so far glad I didn't purchase it (If doing full boils or AG I could see the need for it though). As you get into the hobby, you may decide to go All-Grain, or Kegging, Temp Control systems, etc. and starting with minimal expense allows you to go the route you want.

All you really need to get started is:
1 large fermentation bucket "Ale Pail"
1 bottling bucket
1 auto siphon
1 hydrometer
An airlock
Tubing for auto-siphon
PBW
Star-San
5gal or larger brew kettle (you may already have a stock pot of this size).

Then to bottle you will need:
A Capper
Caps
Priming Sugar
Bottling Wand
48 12oz bottles (I just re-use from beers I drink)

You can get all this for $60-70 at most places. Midwest Brewing also runs some deals where you get the equipment and a kit (ingredients) + a $25 coupon off of your next order. Just search the forums for Midwest Groupon.

 

[Curtis2010]

Yeah, start simple and expand as you go -- after all that's part of the fun! And, if it does not get serious then you are not out much.

Another problem with "kits" is that most home brewers tend to develop their own preferred way of doing things. The pre-assembled kits of course assume a certain way of brewing -- which may not be the way you ultimately end up brewing -- most serious brewers have quite a bit of stuff they never use any more.

 

[squeekybobo]

You can get all this for $60-70 at most places. Midwest Brewing also runs some deals where you get the equipment and a kit (ingredients) + a $25 coupon off of your next order. Just search the forums for Midwest Groupon.

+1 to this. That's how I got started with this obsession, and I've actually bought the same groupon a couple times to add more equipment, and sold what I didn't need on Craigslist.

 

[msherretz]

One great investment would be to add a bottle tree and bottle rinser to sterilize the bottles just prior to bottling. It is super handy to reach out and grab a sterile bottle and place it under the wand without searching and wondering what might have fallen into the bottle just prior to filling.