Advice before taking the plunge...

[liamtmt7]

Hi guys,

Looking for some advice before taking the plunge and buying my kit - no brewing experience at all, so be gentle.

Have had a good look around the forums and a few websites and have come up with these equipment kits to get me going (not allowed to post links as yet):

Starter £66:

25 Litre Fermentation Vessel Takes airlock (Full Colour-Graduated)
25 Litre Fermentation Vessel
Thermometer 12" (Spirit)
Bubbler, Plastic with Red Cap
Bung Bored
Bottle Filling Stick Plastic
Hydrometer plus sampling tube
Bottle Brush
Syphon
Beer Paddle Plastic 16"(Y)
Twin Lever Capper
Crown Caps (100)
Cleaner/Steriliser

Extract Brewer £173

1 x 33lt boiler
1 x Immersion Wort Chiller
1 x Beer Starter Kit

25 Litre Fermentation Vessel Takes airlock (Full Colour-Graduated)
25 Litre Fermentation Vessel
Thermometer 12" (Spirit)
Bubbler, Plastic with Red Cap
Bung Bored
Bottle Filling Stick Plastic
Hydrometer plus sampling tube
Bottle Brush
Syphon
Beer Paddle Plastic 16"(Y)
Twin Lever Capper
Crown Caps Gold (100)
Cleaner/Steriliser

Is it worthwhile starting off small, and then making the move to extract brewing?

I like the idea of the 2 FVs to keep me going once the first kit is bottled and conditioning, and hope to have the first few bottles ready for Xmas time - a stout and a pale ale.

All feedback and advice welcomed :thumb:

 

[dennisking]

All the things you buy for the kits will also be used in extract brewing as well.

 

[liamtmt7]

Hi Dennis,i thought that looked like the case

I suppose my question is more, is it worthwhile going straight into extract brewing? Or am I better off finding my feet with the kits first and then move on once I am more comfortable and / or confident?

 

[dennisking]

I started by doing extract, but kits were crap in those days. I did also improvise by using a big stock pot on the cooker and cooling in the bath. Kits these days are a lot better and make a decent pint.

 

[liamtmt7]

Yeah there seems to be some pretty positive messages on the kits so will give it a try.

Going to go for a Coopers Real Ale and a John Bull London Porter as a start, 2 weeks in the Fv and bottle condition for a few weeks before Xmas and see how they turn out.

Will post up my experience

 

[rpt]

You don't need an airlock but if you do want one then you need a grommet rather than a bung (assuming you are using a fermentation bucket and not a demijohn).

 

[liamtmt7]

Cheers for the advice RPT. It says it takes one, optional? I'll find out once the kit arrives

Spot on though, only beers for now. Maybe some wine later once the confidence (hopefully) builds

Cheers.

 

[mmaguy41]

If you can do a beer kit you can do a wine kit, its pretty simple really you just need some different bits and bobs. Hope you enjoy your first brews.

 

[liamtmt7]

Cheers mate, will keep that in mind