G'afternoon all,
I am just beginning, meaning that I want to get into this hobby so badly, and I am looking at what equipment to purchase. I have looked at basic equipment like the above, and I understand that brewing is a very extensive process. From your opinions, I would like your feedback on the essential equipment for starting. I also am looking on how to make the process easier (less transitions that may effect the brew). I have read many forums, and understand the FOUR main parts of brewing include:
- Sanitation, Pitch Rate, Fermentation Temp., and Patience.
I have a family member who got me interested into this hobby, and I would like to start. Is a person able to jump into full grain brewing, or is malt the best way to start?
Thanks all.
It seems like it is getting harder and harder to find a decent starter kit.
Take the
MoreBeer Deluxe Starter Kit for example:
This Kit Includes:
- 6 Gallon Fermonster fermenter with spigot, stopper and airlock
- Five Gallon Stainless Steel Kettle
- Food-Grade Bottling Bucket with spigot
- Mesh Bags for steeping grain and hops on brew day
- Thermometer for easy temperature management
- Hydrometer for making key sugar readings
- Transfer Tubing
- Bottling Wand with shut off valve
- Sturdy Bottle Capper
- Bottle Caps
- Bottle Cleaning Brush
- Star San Sanitizer for true sanitization
- Large Stainless Steel Spoon for mixing
- Craftmeister Cleaning Tablets for easy cleaning
- Delicious American Pale Ale recipe kit with yeast
I'd really rather have a 7 gallon fermenter
I'd rather have a 10 gallon kettle though I find uses for my free 5 gallon one all the time
Bottling bucket is good
Mesh bags are good, but I don't know if these are as nice as
Wilser's
Thermometer is a must - don't you have one already?
Hydrometer, tubing, bottling wand, capper, caps and brush are a must
Star San or Iodophor is a must
Chances are good you already have a spoon too
A cleaner is a must but I prefer a multi-use cleaner like OxyClean Free
Recipe kit is a nice touch, but why can't I pick one I like?
If you brew all-grain, you need a brew bag like Wilser's or a mash tun.
You also need some way to get to a boil and a way to chill your wort.
You need some way to control your ferment temp (or use a yeast that doesn't care so much).
You don't NEED an auto-siphon but it was the first thing I bought after bottling my first batch...
You need some bottles. I talked to the owner of a sushi restaurant and got more than I could use.
You could upgrade to the Premium Kit and get the chiller and bigger fermenter, but then you are stuck with a more expensive kettle that is a really awkward size- too big for extract and too small for BIAB.
Adventures in Homebrewing has a kit that's pretty decent except it is pretty pricey, which can probably be attributed to that kettle. If you like that kettle, that's great but I'm a tightwad and can deal with a cheaper kettle. They also stick you with a glass carboy...
As far as jumping straight to all-grain, it is definitely doable. I know several brewers who have. It would really help if your friend brewed with you a couple of times to help straighten the kinks out of your process.