The various hardware items for producing beer or wine. Includes buckets, carboys, kegs, hoses, airlocks, etc.
38
votes
4answers
1k views
What equipment do I need to buy to start making beer?
What is the minimum equipment to start brewing some good beer at home?
30
votes
13answers
1k views
\[WIKI] Improving Your Brewing Significantly
I made this wiki to allow folks to post what upgrades in process or equipement really take one's beer brewing to the next level. The bottle-necks to better and better brewing if you will. (This was ...
28
votes
6answers
3k views
How likely is contamination in an average batch?
I sanitize everything; carboy, bottles, bottle caps, tubing, funnels, etc; because I was essentially told that my beer would turn to deadly poison without it.
I accept sterilizing the lot once ...
23
votes
21answers
5k views
What are the easiest and hardest commercial beer bottles to re-use for homebrew?
One of the great perks of homebrewing is the ability to reuse, rather than just recycle the bottles that come into your house. You just soak off the labels and re-use!
All bottles are not created ...
21
votes
4answers
592 views
Open-Fermented or Native Yeast Beers
I've always been very careful about control and sanitation with beer. But with my wine I do some native yeast Pinots, and some friends of mine are into the same with beers- they like funky, ...
18
votes
7answers
2k views
Temperature Control for Fermentation
I am curious how everyone controls the temperature of their primary, especially those that live in the warmer climates. In Florida, where the temperatures can soar and remain in the 90's and above ...
18
votes
7answers
970 views
About going all-grain
I have made 7 or 8 extract brews over the past year and am interested in moving up to all-grain. What equipment is needed, and what steps are added to the process.
14
votes
4answers
507 views
First Time Homebrewer Setup
There was a request for difficult questions, but having never brewed, this is all I've got:
Can you describe the most basic setup (preferably one with a reasonably low difficulty and high success ...
14
votes
12answers
2k views
Is an immersion chiller really necessary?
I have been reading here about immersion, counterflow and plate chillers and they don't seem to chill the wort much faster than my current method; ice.
Many people have stated that their chillers ...
12
votes
3answers
3k views
How to brew less than 5 gallons at a time?
I recently moved into a smaller apartment and no longer have the space for my 6.5 and 5 gallon carboys. Do people sell smaller carboys than this? I know Mr. Beer would be small enough, but I'd ...
12
votes
1answer
3k views
What is a hopback?
How do you use it?
What does it do?
Do you pass finished wort through it hot or cold?
11
votes
6answers
3k views
Glass Carboy vs. Better Bottle
I recently broke my 6.1 gallon glass carboy that I used for primary fermentation. I need to buy a new one, and I'm considering a "Better Bottle" carboy.
Its claims include:
**Unbreakable and ...
10
votes
10answers
1k views
Are there tools that can make the bottling process easier?
I found this to be the most difficult part during my first attempt at brewing. All I had was a tube and a racking cane. Is there anything else to simplify the process and prevent me from ending up ...
10
votes
7answers
1k views
Aluminium boil pots: Heresy or not?
Are aluminium pots acceptable as boil vessels? They're cheap, but I've heard they can produce off-flavors. Any experiences with them?
10
votes
8answers
4k views
How to brew all-grain indoors
I've been brewing with extracts and specialty grains for two years now, and I want to step up to all-grain brewing. From what I understand, it's important to get a full boil when brewing all-grain and ...
9
votes
8answers
325 views
Which pieces of brewing equipment seem like a good idea to buy, but are of limited usefulness?
My brewing buddy asked me this the other night. I've accumulated a lot of stuff over just an 18 month brew career. Not all of it useful. I know it's subjective, but I'd be very interested to hear ...
9
votes
7answers
733 views
Are bottle brushes necessary?
I've always bottled my beers (haven't invested in a kegging setup yet), and I've never once used a bottle brush. I simply soak my bottles in OxyClean to clean them, give them a shake, then rinse, ...
9
votes
3answers
560 views
What material should I make my brew paddle with?
I've been using the cheap plastic spoon that you'll typically find at your local homebrew store. It's pretty terrible when it comes to agitating my mash tun. Heat + Resistance = Bent plastic spoon.
...
9
votes
5answers
843 views
Best way to mill grains
I've brewed many extracts but want to get into whole grain brewing. What equipment do I need? Any recommendations for beginner / low-cost grain mills?
9
votes
3answers
464 views
Avoiding excessive soot on brew kettles
Are there any secret tricks to avoiding an exorbitant amount of soot on the brew kettle after the boil?
We have been making all grain batches recently using a 20 gallon stock pot and a propane ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
Using a keg for secondary fermentation and natural carbonation?
I would like to transfer a beer that has been fermenting for about 3 weeks directly into a Cornelius keg for secondary fermentation AND carbonation.
I would like to add priming sugar and naturally ...
9
votes
1answer
506 views
Carboy Cap vs. Stopper
Is one better than the other? Why?
Carboy Cap:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/3-5-6-gall-carboy-cap-orange.html
vs.
Stopper:
...
8
votes
9answers
5k views
Using a Induction cooktop
I have been brewing in my kitchen using a giant stockpot.
My brother (my brewing partner) was thinking about picking up propane top and moving it outside. I think that it would be better to use an ...
8
votes
3answers
595 views
Bottling vs. Kegging
I have been home brewing for along time now, but have never kegged my beer. I hear a lot of people saying how much easier and better it is, but my main concern is the cost and equipment needed. What ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
What is a whirlpool chiller?
What is a Whirlpool Chiller and how does it work? What are the advantages or disadvantages?
8
votes
2answers
5k views
Choosing a good refrigerator/freezer for kegerator conversion
Does anyone have experience and recommendations for a good fridge/freezer for conversion into a kegerator? I'm basically choosing between a full sized fridge, a mini-fridge and a chest freezer. I'll ...
8
votes
6answers
984 views
Small Space & Apartment Brewing: Equipment Storage
Given the limited space of an apartment, what tips do you have for storing your equipment?
Do not consider budget to be a factor.
This is the first question in a series of discussions about ...
8
votes
5answers
738 views
What is the minimum amount of equipment to dabble in All-Grain?
What is the minimum amount of equipment I need to have to brew very simple all-grain recipes? Bonus points for cheap & easy-to-find equipment. I'd like to go all-grain eventually, but for the time ...
8
votes
3answers
702 views
Can glass carboy be used for both beer and wine making?
This last summer, my Dad showed my brother and I the process for making wine that he learned from his Dad. It was pretty simple and used a 5 or 6 gallon glass carboy. I've made a few batches of beer ...
8
votes
4answers
659 views
Is it safe to use swing-tops?
I just started brewing my first batch (yay!) and want to set up for bottling while I wait. My question is simple: Can I start using Swing-Tops like Grolsch to bottle my beer?
I've heard varying ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
Is a 5 gallon bucket too big for 3 gallon recipe?
I have a few Mr Beer extract kits left over from when I started this hobby. Can I ferment a 3 gallon recipe in a 5 gallon bucket? Will there be too much head space?
7
votes
8answers
597 views
Secondary size?
When moving a 5 gallon batch into secondary does it make a difference if it is into a 5 gallon carboy or a 6.5?
7
votes
9answers
466 views
What's a good first equipment buy after a basic starter kit?
I bought the First-Time Brewer's Starter Kit from Midwest Supply and enjoyed the process quite a bit. While the kit has the essentials for extract brewing, I know there are lots of things I can get to ...
7
votes
6answers
926 views
Why do my airlocks lose liquid?
This has happened with a few batches now. My three-piece airlocks are drained of the sani inside them repeatedly. Even after a few days, when fermentation doesn't seem as rapid (and therefore the ...
7
votes
1answer
499 views
Why should I start lagering?
I'm contemplating my next brew equipment purchase, and it's likely to be a chest freezer, either for lagering or for converting into a kegerator.
I know some of the things I've heard, but what are ...
7
votes
4answers
2k views
Using Plastic Water Jugs as Fermenters
I asked this on Twitter a while back, but I thought I might get some other thoughts on it. I have one of those 5g Poland Spring water jugs. If I get a bung that fits it, is there any reason I couldn't ...
7
votes
4answers
312 views
What equipment do I need to start making mead?
What equipment do I need to start making mead at home?
7
votes
1answer
217 views
How often do people replace their plastic brewing components?
I recently threw out my racking cane, it was turning cloudy and there was a piece of trub stuck in it that I couldn't get out for the life of me.
I remember the lady at a LHBS telling me you should ...
7
votes
2answers
530 views
Keeping a bottle of no-rinse sanitiser
Some sanitisers, like star-san, chemipro oxi and betadine are no-rinse in certain dilutions. Star-san can additionaly be kept diluted in a bottle for months and used whenever one wishes. Can the same ...
7
votes
2answers
371 views
Cask beer at home
Anyone have a good source for getting smaller versions of a firkin for home use?
I am interested in casking some beer at home for parties and special occasions.
Are there any good links out there for ...
7
votes
2answers
417 views
Gravity Measurement Tools
What tools for measuring specific gravity are available to the homebrewer? EG: refractometer, hydrometer.
What scale do they measure? EG: Brix, plato
6
votes
5answers
329 views
The right first kit?
I've seen a lot of kits and adds online to brew your own beer, but they don't seem all that easy or great.
And any suggestions on what kit(s) to start with?
How much should I plan to spend to get ...
6
votes
6answers
301 views
Marking your brew pot?
I have a new stainless steel brew pot and it doesn't have any quantity markings. How do you recommend marking each gallon? I tried to make an indent but it's not very noticeable, any ideas?
6
votes
2answers
631 views
Kettle volume measurements
Eventually there comes a time where just boiling 6 gallons for 60 minutes and taking it on faith that you have 5 gallons left doesn't cut it anymore.
What tools can I use to measure the volume in the ...
6
votes
1answer
142 views
What is the benefit of a 3 tier system?
I see a lot of people with the 3 tier brewing system. What is the benefit and What are the different levels for? This system is what I am referencing.
6
votes
5answers
2k views
How long do sanitized bottles keep?
If you sanitize a bunch of bottles and store them upside down on a tree or in a box (still upside down); how long can you store them like that before you feel the need to resanitize them?
Is there a ...
6
votes
3answers
767 views
How do you degas an empty Sanke Keg?
When folks legally acquire Sanke kegs for conversion to kettles, mash tuns or HLTs, the first step is often to relieve the pressure inside the keg before dismantling the spear and valve.
How best is ...
6
votes
1answer
163 views
Do glass bottles weaken over time?
I bottle to flip top 750 ml bottles. Should I keep using the same ones forever, or do they weaken over time, and I should get a new set some day?
I'm not extremely careful with them, I often clean ...
6
votes
2answers
896 views
How should I design my new home brewing space?
I am moving into a new house, and the garage in the back garden is just screaming out to be converted into a home brewery.
I realise planning a brewing space depends on a lot of specifics (space ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
How to tell the difference between corny keg posts?
I got the liquid (black) connector very stuck on to my keg, to the point where the plastic broke when trying to pull it off. I'm guessing it's because I mixed up the little posts after removing them ...
