I'm sure this has been asked but I couldn't find it. I've read up on homebrewing and am about to start building my equipment. I was hoping to get some basic tips from all of the experienced here so I don't waste money right out of the gate. Any info that you thought helped you I would appreciate. Like carboy vs. bucket fermenter. I'm talking really basic haha Thanks everyone!
Welcome to the best legal hobby ever if you love beer and hate money. This used to be asked weekly, it has been a while now that I think about it. You can just go back pages and see a lot of very similar threads. First, read How to Brew by John Palmer. It's a relatively quick read and will set you up to ask more poignant questions. There is a free version online that will get you in the ball park. Also, yes the search function is less than stellar. Try searching using these terms: Absolute noob or beginner Best kit or best homebrew kit Tips for a first timer Best beer to brew for a first timer Want to get into home brewing what to get and tips Homebrew novice Materials for beginners There are more threads on this specific topic than you will feel like reading.
Your question gets asked a lot, so here is a link to a search that I did of this forum using 'equipment' as the search word for titles only. https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/search/33483859/?q=equipment&o=date&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=8 If you haven't read John Palmer's book HowToBrew.com yet, it is highly recommended reading. It's free to read online, and a newer edition is not expensive at all. The book also has a section dealing with equipment needs.
Awesome thanks guys. Just finished How To Brew. Figured I'd read up before buying anything. Is buying used equipment a bad call or with savingthe cash at first?
There are some great bargains from people who thought they'd like to homebrew their beer only to later decide the hobby is not for them. Just don't let the great price influence you to get something that isn't on your shopping list. Watch out for dirty equipment would be the only warning that I can offer, or a plastic bucket that has a lot of scratches inside that could harbor bacteria, etc.
Used equipment can be fine. You need to think about the durability of the material and the reason why someone no longer wants to use it. For stainless steel and many metal pieces of hear, used is fine. I have a used wort chiller that I picked up in 2006 and used today. Many of us who keg have used kegs, formerly used as soda containers. If whatever you are buying is plastic, probably worth getting new. If you are getting something that has gaskets or seals, you may end up needing to replace those parts
Craigslist and other local postings can be beneficial to finding gear. I met up with a solid guy on here who traded me an immersion chiller for a couple bottles of beer. I still use the thing and its been four years. Best $20 I ever spent.
I use bucket fermenters 90% of the time. My beer sits in primary for 3ish weeks and I rack straight to package. I only use a carboy (Better Bottle, actually) when I need something that won't breathe and something that will reduce the headspace in a fermenter. This is for oak, sours, and fruit. Buckets are easy peasy to clean and store. They're cheap to replace and serve as a general around the house work bucket then I scratch them up.
