What to spend my giftcard on?!

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by drewish927, Dec 29, 2014.

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  1. drewish927

    drewish927 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2014

    Hey guys,
    I'm a brewing novice. I've been extract brewing for a little while and had a Homebrew Christmas so I'm looking to get into all-grain. I've been using the little brown keg from Mr. Beer for my fermenter. I received a bottle capper and some caps, a grain bag for BIAB and a 7.25 gallon kettle with a propane burner and a 100 dollar gift card! So, my question is, what's the best way to spend that card? My thought is a 5 gallon carboy, an auto-siphon and some tubing, and an immersion chiller. Are there any other "Must-haves" as a beginning brewer that I should be looking into? Thanks in advance!
    Drew
     
    #1 drewish927, Dec 29, 2014
  2. JohnSnowNW

    JohnSnowNW Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2013 Minnesota

    If you're trying stretch that card, I would just get a fermenting bucket...instead of a carboy (don't forget to grab an air-lock). They are about 1/3 the cost...dependent on material and pricing. I would definitely get an auto-siphon. The immersion chiller would be at the top of my list. Grab some Starsan, as well.

    I'm not sure $100 would go much further than that.
     
    #2 JohnSnowNW, Dec 29, 2014
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  3. bluehende

    bluehende Initiate (0) Dec 10, 2010 Delaware

    I would also get a bottling wand, bottling bucket and hydrometer. It probably depends on your card. If it is online look for what you can get cheaper there. I find many things are close to the same price at my LHBS and some are way higher.
     
    #3 bluehende, Dec 29, 2014
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  4. HerbMeowing

    HerbMeowing Maven (1,295) Nov 10, 2010 Virginia
    Trader

    No way you get a carboy ... chiller ... and tubing for $100 unless you shop Craigslist (not that there's anything wrong with that).

    You could get another MrB fermentor for $10 and have the capacity to ferment a 5G batch-size.
    Spend the remaining money on a chiller and a decent thermometer.
     
    #4 HerbMeowing, Dec 30, 2014
  5. scurvy311

    scurvy311 Savant (1,135) Dec 3, 2005 Louisiana

    Bucket, stainless chiller, and weldless ball valve for kettle.
     
    #5 scurvy311, Dec 30, 2014
  6. drewish927

    drewish927 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2014

    Thanks for the input everyone! Here's what I think I'm going to go with from homebrewing.org:
    5 Gallon Glass Carboy with bung and airlock - 32.77
    25' Copper Immersion Chiller - 39.99
    3/8" auto siphon - 10.99
    4' of 3/8" Tubing - 1.56
    3/8" bottle filler - 2.99

    Add shipping and it comes up to a little more than 100, but I'm good with that.

    I've already got a hydrometer and starsan. I also have a little brown keg from Mr. Beer. I'm thinking it could be interesting to see the differences between bottling 2.5 gallons after primary fermentation and then use the LBK as a secondary fermenter.

    Thanks again. Happy New Year!
     
    #6 drewish927, Jan 5, 2015
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