Starting out, what to get.

[TEND]

Alright guys, help me out here. I'm just starting out I brewed one batch on with my dad's equipment so it's time to get my own. Anyways, I'll probably just buy a starter kit and maybe a few little extras. I'm pretty sure I want to get a secondary though. Can someone recommend the best type? A glass carboy is what I've been thinking, what sizes do they come in?
Any other suggestions? Keep in mind I do already have a pot I got specifically for this new hobby. I'm looking to spend maybe $150 CDN or so. Thanks for the help boys.

 

[cgravier]

just get a 5 gallon glass carboy (or 2) for 20 bucks...you could get plastic but i wouldnt recomend it, yeah theres nothing wrong with plastic blah, blah, blah, but they are hard to clean, they scratch, and eventually you will probably get an infection and have to get a new one...glass rules!!! (there is just something un-traditional about using plastic)


now some people are going to say "ive been brewing for 50 years in the same bucket" or "glass is hard to clean" or "glass is dangerous" (i love that one) dont believe the hype...

its really up to you! you can hang with the cool kids (glass) or get beat up everyday for your lunch money (plastic)

 

[loopmd]

Jeez cgravier lighten up a little..

Let's see 150 bucks canadian, that's like 50 bucks u.s., right? You should get a good set up for your budget. You can get a beginner kit at many online stores or find a local hbs to go to. You need 2 buckets, one lid, carboy, bung, airlock, siphon tube, racking cane, bottle filler, capper, bottle brush and carboy brush. All that and a bag of chips!

good luck and have fun

 

[TEND]

Okay, I have an HBS in walking distance of my house . So it shouldn't be a problem getting the majority of this stuff. Could you just explain to me why a second bucket? Is that for bottling or am I missing something?

 

[loopmd]

most kits come with 2 buckets. One is just a plain 'ole bucket and the other one has a spiggot on it. The plain one is your "primary" you transfer from your primary to the carboy "secondary" and then you transfer over to the bucket with spiggot a.ka. "bottling bucket".


hth, loop

 

[cgravier]

Okay, I have an HBS in walking distance of my house . So it shouldn't be a problem getting the majority of this stuff. Could you just explain to me why a second bucket? Is that for bottling or am I missing something?

oops
i dint notice the 150cdn=50 bucks us-that kind of sucks...the cheapest way probably would be a plastic primary/plastic secondary

 

[loopmd]

oops
i dint notice the 150cdn=50 bucks us-that kind of sucks...the cheapest way probably would be a plastic primary/plastic secondary

no, not really. I believe it is more like 130 bucks u.s. he's in good shape with that kind of budget for a starter kit.


loop

 

[cgravier]

no, not really. I believe it is more like 130 bucks u.s. he's in good shape with that kind of budget for a starter kit.


loop

in that case go crazy!!! get a 6.5 gallon glass carboy for your primary, and a 5 gallon glass carboy for a secondary, yes people will stare, and snicker behind your back but you wont regret it...

 

[jeffg]

I have been brewing for over ten years and still use my original plastic bucket from my original starter kit

Seriously, I have 5 and 6.5 gallon glass carboys, but when they are both full I still use my old plastic bucket as a secondary and i have never, ever, knock on wood, had a batch of beer go bad. I think starter kits are great and the simplest upgrade is to get either a 5 or 6.5 gallon carboy. Use the glass as a primary so you can watch the initial action and then rack to plastic for another couple weeks and then bottle. In addition to what Loopmd said, make sure you get a thermometer of some sort, hygrometer, some extra tubing for siphoning or to fit in your lid or cork as blow-off tubing (sometimes it is 1/4" instead of 1/2"), and some cleaner/sanitizer. SHould all be within your price range.

Good luck

 

[casebrew]

Thermometer, hydrometer, false bottom, hoses, bottle filler, bottles, burner, cooler/mash tun, all before a glass carboy. Or get the $150 kit from your home brew store.

 

[Pumbaa]

Go with a starter kit from your LHBS, I suggest 6.5 gallon carboys for primary and secondary feremnters just beacuse that makes them interchangeable and I like to be able to watch my brews, hard to see through plastic. Also think about a kettle no less then 8 galons so if ya ever do all grains you should have enuff rom for most brews

 

[jaymack]

Dumb question time - :cross:

I use Plastic for Primary, Glass Carboy for Secondary. My Glass has a narrow opening. Dumb question is.... drum roll please... What is the easiest way to get my hot pot o'wort into the glass carboy if it has a small opening?
With the Plastic Primary, I can just dump it in and go.

Thanks,
J

 

[DeRoux's Broux]

no dumb questions here jaymack.

cool your wort first, then just use your siphone tubing and transfer it into the carboy. you'll leave all that cold break behind in the kettle too!

 

[cweston]

Costs about $10 USD or less. Makes starting a siphon much easier, and also serves as a crude filter to keep trub out of your siphon hose. Easy enough to control that you can draw a very small amount: say, to take a hydrometer reading.