Hello BA friends, Like most of you beer is becoming a big hobby in my life so I am starting to fund it as a viable career path in the late future. I want to start brewing as soon as possible, but do not want to pick up the cheapest home brew kit. Does anyone have suggestions what equipment I should start out with? I think my main concern is getting the right fermenting tank that is reasonably priced. Thank you all for your help and suggestions
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Equi...8&qid=1390854898&sr=8-3&keywords=homebrew+kit http://www.amazon.com/Maestro-Homeb...8&qid=1390855172&sr=8-5&keywords=homebrew+kit I actually prefer the second one due to weight (glass carboys aren't necessary until making beers that need to sit for months, imo)
Have you determined that 5-gallon batches are what you want to brew, or will you prefer to start smaller or larger? Starting small for now and graduating to big? Are you going to start with extract brewing, or will you jump right in to all-grain brewing? Answers to these questions will help us with recommendations.
The 'right fermenting tank that is reasonably priced' is probably the easiest to acquire. There are buckets, better bottles, carboys, conicals, etc. Each one can make great beer; buckets are cheapest. I think the most important piece of equipment to start with would be a nice large brew kettle. The bigger, the better, because it will give you more freedom down the line. For a 5 gallon batch with a full boil, you need at least a 7.5 gal kettle. Make sure though that you can manage a roiling boil for that much liquid on your burner. If not, a propane burner might be needed. Then if you are doing that size you also need a wort chiller, there are various types; some can be DIY to save some money. You can start with partial boils if you are stuck with a weak stove, and that takes away the need for a really big kettle and chiller, but if you do odds are you will end up upgrading soon.
Im not convinced that glass carboys are ever "necessary". I have one and like using it but I have done all my long term bulk aging in better bottles and have zero signs of oxidation, or in the case of sours, no acetobacter or other signs of too much oxygen.
Your question is quite common as is the answer. BA has the most awesomest, some would say epic, SEARCH function. That's my most awesomest, some would say epic, helpful suggestion.
Turkey fryer = big pot, plenty of heat. Big pot = waaaay good. Plenty of heat also good (rolling boils = no scorching). AUTO-siphon. Copy of how to brew. Fermentation temperature control (needs to be steadily below 70F, preferably mid sixties). For extremely warm climates, like tx, az, nm etc, a freezer with johnson controller would be your wisest first investment. This was the first thing I bought when I moved to tx, and I've since bought a second one. I could not brew good beer without them; it's just too hot most of the year, and you can't keep your house's AC low enough for fermenting beer unless you want a $400 electric bill. wort chiller (yeast pitching at below 70F also a key parameter) star-san two 6.5 gallon buckets, and either a carboy, better bottle, or third bucket for bottling (carboys and better bottles also good for occasional secondary, but don't get too excited on secondaries, most of us don't use them except on occasion). You can sometimes find 8 gallon fermentation buckets. I have one, and I love it.
It's really depended on your personal brewing technique and facilities you have. Down the road your brewing technique will properly change many time as the experience make you more focused on your real needs. My self brewing in small kitchen apartment on stove top, so I look for the right pot diameter, that can cover two stove top flames, at the same time I needed 5 gallon + 40% volume. I use to ferment in a plastic carboy, now it's use for secondary only. Most of fermentation now days gos into to buckets. Talking about fermentation, I also quit using airlocks instead I listen to bubbling CD. The basic stuff can bee : pot 5 gallon + 30% volume. fermentation vessel, Plus 20% vol Happy brewing.
