Buying a Home Brew Kit

I used to use the 2-burner method too, before we got the new stove. The new one has a 17,000BTU "power burner" that works better than the 2-burners combined on the old one. In fairness, the old stove was 10 years old and wasn't exactly top-of-the-line when it was new.

 

Can you share the model name/number of your new stove?

 

I brew in an apartment. The cajun cooker is out of the question. I have my kitchen gas stove and two induction burners. For eight years, I brewed only extract beers (with specialty grains). I then went to all grain. After another eight, I'm now going back to extract.

The OP's boyfriend should start out small (baby steps!) and slowly build in the direction he wants to build. He may decide, after two or three batches, that homebrewing is not for him. If he started small, he's out $100. If he started big, then he's out $400.

 

Yeah, we got the GE Adora, from Home Despot:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-Adora...less-Steel-JGB605SETSS/202911074#.Uqi6BsRDvks

"Adora" seems to be a strictly Home Despot name for the GE...the model can be found from other vendors, but without the "Adora" label.

 

Yeah. I rent for the time being. Consider me sufficiently jealous. That's a gorgeous range. Mine's probably at least 15 years (probably closer to 20) years old. I don't see the landlord replacing it nor am I inclined to purchase a large kitchen appliance for a residence which I don't own.

 

Thank you everyone for all of the info...I have yet to do most of the research (I need to hurry up, because I am trying to order everything by the end of the week...but as usual I am being the biggest procrastinator) but I now know I have to get a kettle and could also get a burner if my boyfriend wants to brew outside. As for the starter kit I am still confused as to which one is the best...I was looking around and found this onehttp://www.midwestsupplies.com/midwest-homebrew-kit.html?avad=135633_c5948b9f&al_affid=106261&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=avantlinkwould this be a good option or would anyone recommend a better one?
i also found this onehttp://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/brewing/beer-equipment-starter-kits/deluxe-brewing-starter-kit.html

 

Either one would work, really. I would say the northerbrewer is the best deal, but you'd also have to buy a hydrometer with it. However, for just starting out you might not need the secondary fermenter, in which case the Midwest one is the best deal.

If you get the northernbrewer one, get the plastic fermenter option. And with both, add a brew hauler at checkout.

 

Actually, the OP never stated a budget. That was an additional girl later on in the thread that mentioned $500 $550 for her boyfriend. With that much to spend, she can pretty much buy whatever kit she wants from any of the websites that have been mentioned. Not really much of a need to help if she can go right to the best beginners kit available. The actual OP just wanted a starter kit. Thus, lots of suggestions for entry level kits. Hopefully, both of them find what they are looking for. Merry Christmas and tell your boyfriends that they are lucky men.

 

I agree completely with him and would get the NB kit. Don't forget the hydrometer and get him a digital thermometer, too. You might want to grab him an extra brewing kit too. Whatever style of beer he likes best. And, it never hurts to buy him bottles if he doesn't drink enough to have a couple of cases by the time he wants to brew. Good luck.

 

Hey John,I've never done a ten gallon boil. Do you think an electric stove is strong enough to boil that much water? That's all I've got available, but was wanting to upgrade to a larger pot. Thoughts? (sorry to thread jack)

 

With all this being said, I do wish that I got a bigger brew kettle. I went with the 5 gallon because I was making a lot of 1 gallon kits at first. Lately I have been doing 5 gallon kits and started to piece an all grain kit together. I think the 5 gallon kettle will serve as a good hot water tank.

 

Actually, she started a separate thread, and the mods deemed it necessary to merge the two...confusingly.

Well, you're probably only going to boil 7-7.5 gallons in a 10 gallon pot. As to whether the electric is strong enough...it could be. It would depend on the wattage of your burners, and how much time you have. I'd imagine it would take a fair bit of time...well over an hour, to bring 7-7.5 gallons of wort to a boil.

However, I've never brewed on an electric stove.

 

Northern Brewer is running a special until midnight 12/13. buy the deluxe starter kit and they will throw in the Dark Star burner. the burner is an entry level but very nice to have, even if home brewing is not pursued.

enter code FIRESTARTER.
so, with that, I'd go with the NB kit.
it is also worth noting that if i am correct, Midwest and Northern Brewer are the same, though the different websites and pricing still seems to be maintained.
Cheers.

 

I think your post got a bit lost in the jumble. Anyway, to answer your question...that depends. It's difficult to tell someone to go out an buy all the things we think are necessary, in hindsight, because it would be a wast of time and money if you didn't enjoy brewing. Most people would say, buy an inexpensive kit and brew extract to see if you enjoy the process. However, with that said, here is a list of things I would spend my money on first...knowing that I do enjoy homebrewing:

1. 10 Gallon pot for full-boils. I went with aluminum...and I still think this is the right choice to begin with. (saves money). You still need a 6 gallon pot for heating strike water if you want to do all-grain.
2. Immersion chiller, because it is not only way easier than an ice bath...it's also a lot faster.
3. Fermentation chamber, I use a chest freezer and digital temp controller. Controlling fermentation temps is absolutely necessary for making good beer.
4. Stir-plate for yeast starters. $60 well spent.
5. Better-bottle over glass...it's just easier...buckets work fine too...but I prefer carboys.
6. Kegging, I would do this as soon as it's feasible...bottling really really sucks.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

Thx for the head's up. I guess I'll just borrow my buddies turkey fryer. I'm sure that will work. Thx again.

 

I figured this would be a thread to post this in..

My bud gave me one of those Home Brew kits from Whole Foods that you see on the shelves... the ones with no instruction except on the side of the box, but has all the ingredients.

My question: Is this any good? It was my bday gift, and he knew I loved beer, so I give him mad props for the effort. Is there anything I should add? Any tips/tricks/tutorial to read?

Thanks guys!

 

I have no idea on the Whole Foods kits. But if you read this (which addresses good and bad kits and what to do about them (among many other things)), you'll be able to figure it out for yourself...
www.howtobrew.com

 

Hey thanks man! I really appreciate it!