What piece of equipment should I order

[mikeysab]

Well, SWMBO finally broke my hydrometer, so I need to order another one. Instead of ordering just a hydrometer, I'm looking for a piece of equipment to upgrade my setup. I have a 5 gallon cooler, but still using the spigot, got 7.5 gallon turkey fryer, banjo burner, plenty of bottles, enough fermenters, Tap a Draft setup, immersion chiller, all the stuff to make pretty good beer. So what kind of suggestions would you guys have about either upgrading, or adding a piece of equipment. I'm looking at either a oxygenation setup, a valve for the cooler, or just keeping my setup and buying a bunch of ingredients. I've been pulling my hair out for the last 2 days trying to figure out what to do....so.....what should I do?

 

[bob1852]

buy at least 2 hydrometers so when SWMBO breaks another one, you won't be up **** creek without a paddle

 

[mikeysab]

Haha, already thought of that. I'm surprised my first one lasted as long as it did. That sucker was fragile.

 

[RegionalChaos]

I've been upgrading, and the way I've prioritized things is in the order of equipment that I use to brew. Dunno if that helps you or not

 

[dunleav1]

I would look at fermentation control.

 

[SumnerH]

Ferm temp control or ingredients. Shaking the fermenter is a fine means of aerating wort (better than pumping air through a stone, though worse than pumping pure O2).

Or a secondary and some tubing/bottling bucket and whatnot to do sours with!

 

[Catt22]

What's the budget number? If it were me, I'd get a larger cooler, a larger kettle or both. OTOH, just buying ingredients might be the best for now so you can get some more beer in the pipeline as we head into the summer. The best way to acquire brewing equipment is a little at a time and sneak it by the wife. Save the more expensive purchases for Christmas and your birthday. Those buys are a win-win for both of you. She doesn't have to figure out what to get you and you get want you really want. Father's day is coming up. Maybe that's applicable, I don't know. It's worth a shot anyway!

 

[shelly_belly]

If you're having to hold that spigot button down to drain the cooler then I would definitely be getting a cheap ball valve. If you're ever using liquid yeast, then I would also buy a case of mason jars and start washing your yeast. Then more ingredients.

 

[tnlandsailor]

For what it's worth, fermentation is the most critical process in brewing. Anything that directly helps the fermentation process is where you should start. I would suggest the O2 setup - a diffusion stone on a metal wand, an O2 regulator, and some O2. Proper oxygenation of the wort will benefit fermentation greatly. The next thing you might want to consider is a large flask and a stir plate. This will grow yeast starters very quickly and provide good healthy yeast for fermentation. Next on the list would be fermentation temperature control.

Prosit!