Upgrading starter kit

[MrKev83]

I just brewed a wherry using the wilko one can starter kit that came with the FV, pet bottles, a tube for syphon, Sterilising fluid and a spoon.

I have since bought a hydrometer. What should I look at buying equipment wise next without breaking the bank. I was thinking an airlock and better syphon

 

[Clint]

2 X 32 litre stainless steel boilers and a picnic box mash tun
:thumba:

 

[kelper]

An 'automatic' syphon is so much easier to use and you can empty all but the last half inch of the fermenting vessel without disturbing the gloop in the bottom. Combine this with a clip or tap on the end, if you wish to fill bottles. And airlocks are very cheap. A stick-on thermometer for the FV? Some brewing books to read while you wait.

 

[terrym]

I assume you already have some accurate kitchen scales to measure out your ingredients. If so, all you are really missing at present is a thermometer. A cheap digital one is good enough for basic home brewing.
If you stay with kits thats probably about it, apart from nice to haves. such as a brew belt or heat pad or a water bath (see below) for temperature control....
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/how-to-set-up-a-water-bath-for-your-fv.66407/
...although some people build and use brew fridges (look it up on here).
And a second FV which you could use as a bottling bucket is useful.
Next if you are going to dry hop, you might consider a nylon or muslin bag in which to put the hops or a nylon sock over the end of the siphon tube. More on dry hopping here
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/a-newbies-guide-to-dry-hopping-your-beer.61045/
And if you want to avoid keeping and maintaining lots of bottles you could invest in a pressure barrel (PB).
That's about it for kits.
If you want to do some extract brewing then you will need a stock pot.
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/a-simple-guide-to-extract-brewing.75501/
And finally if you want to move to all grain the options are many and varied and you can get set up with a small amount of kit or buy something like a grainfather which will set you back £00s. Others will advise on this.
My suggestion to you is to stay with kits for a few brews, have a go at dry hopping or adding a hop tea to your beer, perhaps try a grain steep or a partial mash, then decide what you want to do. Most if not all of the equipment you use for kit brewing will be used if you go to extract or AG brewing.

 

[steve denholm]

I much prefer a refractometer to a hydrometer

 

[MrKev83]

Thanks guys. Plenty for me to go at there. I don't know much about different ales so may need get to a taste session somewhere. I only drink hob goblin prior to doing this kit

I visited The New Barn in Kirkby Lonsdale. My new favourite place

 

[kelper]

Thanks guys. Plenty for me to go at there. I don't know much about different ales so may need get to a taste session somewhere. I only drink hob goblin prior to doing this kit

I visited The New Barn in Kirkby Lonsdale. My new favourite place

Go to whatpub.com and search for pubs near you. Sample as many different ales as you can so that you learn which styles of beer you like. I envy you your exciting odyssey!

 

[kelper]

I much prefer a refractometer to a hydrometer

You can measure sugars or alcohol, but how do measure a mix?

 

[terrym]

I much prefer a refractometer to a hydrometer

Hydrometers are simpler. Dunk. Take reading. Job done. Occasionally dunk in clean water to check calibration.

 

[Llamaman]

I have both and can see the appeal in refractometer - easier to take a sample (easier to sanitise a small pipette than a wine thief) and less wastage with each sample, which soon adds up if doing a 1 gallon brew!
But despite having a refractometer, I’ve largely stopped using it in favour of the hydrometer as the latter is easier to use and I guess I just trust it more.

But to the OP, both are fine. Just remember to correct your refractometer reading for alcohol content if your measuring fermented wort (aka beer).
As you already have a hydrometer, stick with that for now. More kit does not always mean better beer :)

 

[steve denholm]

ah how about another FV? then you can keep a brew always fermenting? :)

 

[Madhouse]

I've actually just moved away from an auto-syphon as it was more faff than it was worth IMO.

Definitely get more FV's, the bucket type are cheap and will probably come with an airlock too. I just added another FV, that way I can brew roughly once a week.

 

[MrKev83]

Another FV is down the line. I'm thinking a pressure barrel but how long does beer keep in it?

 

[ChrisPDuck]

Some way of controlling fermentation temps would probably give you the biggest improvement in beer quality and consistency if you’re brewing from kits

 

[MrKev83]

I still have a thermostat and heat mats left over from my snake keeping days. I like recycling

 

[GerritT]

Books, books, glorious books! And a bottle stick.

 

[terrym]

I'm thinking a pressure barrel but how long does beer keep in it?

My experience is that beer kept in a PB will last a few months. By then its usually been drunk however.

 

[MrKev83]

Easily drunk by then. Bring on the belly

 

[Victor Churchill]

1. The thing that's made the most difference for me was when I discovered the Bottling Wand. What a time- and mess-saver.
2=. Closely followed by getting a second fermentation bucket, putting a tap in the bottom, and using it as a Bottling Bucket;
2=. Joint second with moving from brewing in a bin with a clip on lid to using a fermenter with a screw-on top and a fermentation lock. Had a few spoiled brews before starting to use that.
4. Digital stick-on thermometer makes for a nice warm feeling that you have the temperature right. Much more convenient than a floater.
5. I got bought a refractometer, but haven't really got a feel for how to go about using it in an idiot-proof way.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

The thing that's made the most difference for me was when I discovered the Bottling Wand. What a time- and mess-saver.

One of the best things i bought it makes bottling day bearable.

I didn't drill my bucket i inserted the solid tube into my syphon tube (you can see both parts separate in the video)





A bucket clip also helps greatly keeping the syphon tube steady.