Equipment
 | Here you will find a list of the equipment I use. I will first go through the things you will need to make a simple extract brew and then go through the things I use to do a more complicated all grain beer. Enjoy and look through the rest of the site to see how to brew (well at least how I do it). |
I know it may seem like a lot but everything you see here can be bought in a simple kit from most homebrew stores or online for anywhere from $50-$100. Look around and stop by a homebrew store near you and you should have no problem getting what you need to get started. I am going to get into some more equipment I use that will help get you into all grain brewing, some of which will help brew with extracts and can be used for both. These Items are not needed for doing partial boils but you will need most for doing full wort boils or brewing all grain. |
You NEED a good sanitizer!! When making beer you need a safe place to keep your beer free from wild yeast and bacteria. A good commercial sanitizer is key to keeping your beer from growing any nasties. I use Star San from Five Star Chemicals. There are other products that are OK to use like One Step, Iodophor, or even household bleach but I have found that Star San works best for me.
Hydrometer
A hydrometer I believe is a necessary piece of equipment needed for brewing. This thing measures dissolved sugars in liquid known as Specific Gravity. As yeast eat sugar and produce alcohol and CO2 the specific gravity of the beer drops and this tool will measure how much sugar is left in the solution.
Fermentation Bucket & Airlock
Here is a 7-8 gal (28-32 qt) FOODGRADE bucket with a drilled hole and grommet to hold an airlock. These buckets are available at all homebrew stores and I would recommend one with a gasket that will make an airtight seal around the lid. The airlock will let the CO2 escape the bucket while letting nothing back into the beer. There are a couple of styles airlocks out there and all will work. I prefer the S style but again all will work.
Universal Carboy Bung (Drilled)
Used in the top of you carboy to seal the top and hold an airlock.
Syphon
I use the Fermtech Auto Siphon. This is the easiest way to start a siphon. When moving liquid, in this case beer, from one container to another a siphon is necessary to accomplish this. Any racking cane will do but for me this seems to make sense.
Bottle Capper
This is a twin lever capper. Some use a bench style but I have never seen a use for it. This little puppy will cap a bottle in no time and is quite affordable. Since I keg most of my beer I don't use this or my bottling bucket much but we will get into that a little more later. |
| Boil Kettle
 You will need a kettle large enough to boil 2.5-3 gal (10-12 qts) of liquid. Stainless steel is ideal but aluminum will work as well. Remember if using an aluminum pot there are some things you should be aware of 1. Use it only for beer 2. Oxidize the pot before use (boil water in it for an hour before first use) 3. Handle it with child like gloves 4. Buy it brand new 5. Don't scrub it shiny and use no harsh chemicals when cleaning If using stainless most of above won't apply. |
Bottle Brush
You will need this to clean all those bottles you are going to fill with YOUR freshly made beer!
Secondary Fermenter (Glass Carboy)
Pictured here full of wine, you will want to use something to bulk age your beer (or wine) and help aid in the clearing of your brew. Some forgo this step but I find it necessary in helping you make better beer. I also like glass because you never have to worry about scratching it like you do plastic, but beware they can break if bumped hard or dropped so please be careful!
Thermomiter
I like the dial type because it is easily calibrated and easy to read but anything that reads an accurate temperature will work.
Spoon
Obviously. I use plastic because they are cheap and cleaned easily.
Bottling Bucket & Bottle Filler
Notice the spigot on the bucket? What you do is hook up the tube from the racking cane to the spigot and the other end to the bottle filler and let her rip. At the end of the bottle filler is a plunger that when pressed on the bottom of a bottle, beer will flow and when you pick it up the beer will stop. Pretty cool huh??? |