Hi Very New To Home Brewing Where Do I Start? If wanting To Start From Scratch?

[Darren Andrews (Daza)]

Hi I have no equipment what so ever but am wanting to buy the right gear, I am wanting to start brewing my own flavour beer from scratch no bought recipe boxes, just doing it from the beginning. I asked on a NZ website and they suggested the Grainfather, but pretty pricey, can you please advise me on the best direction. Thanks.

Daza.

[Scott H]

Most bought ones are about 7.5m of 3/8 copper. Just be aware bending it can be troublesome sometimes.

[Darren Andrews (Daza)]

Hey thanks Scott, a guy on Trade Me who makes his own was selling a 7.5m and a 15m length copper coil with hose attachments, and I asked him about what size coil I would need for a 50L pot he said the 15m which cost much more too.... Cheers.

[Darren Andrews (Daza)]

when brewing in a brew pot for BIAB it seems good enough to ferment in a plastic container...? thought that might be a cheaper option for getting started? Like a 30L one on most NZ brew-sites. cheap as chips too, around $39 to $49.

[Grant R Baker]

With BIAB you need space as all (or most) of your pre-boil water and grains have to fit in the pot.

btw I think the bets way to get into AG brewing is to spend a brewday with another brewer... he or she will talk to ear off, make you all the friggin cleaning but you will learn heaps.

[Darren Andrews (Daza)]

Hey guys I am now leaning towards getting the new Craft Series Starter Kit with Stainless Fermenter and go from there. I see there is still very similar procedures that I would feel more comfortable with learning from that point now and work my way up to all-grain......walk before I can run. These kits aren't cheap but seem like a very nice way to go. Anyone know if these are good? Cheers. 

[Peter Smith]

I like stainless......    you can never go wrong with stainless            reminds me of a saying    -     Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives. William A. Foster

[Cain Harland]

Like Peter said you can't go wrong with stainless. But depending on what your budget is, I would choose a plastic fermenter with temperature control over a stainless fermenter without. That is for the price of a stainless fermenter you may be able to buy an old fridge, a STC-1000, a heat pad or belt and a plastic fermenter. The STC controls both the fridge and heater to keep your beer at the perfect temprature. Or you could get the stainless fermenter now and sort out the temperature control later.

[paul m]

My advice to get you started would be- get a stainless pot, plastic fermenter as part of a kit, You could avoid the tap at the moment and just use a racking cane for transfers. I really like the autosyphon- its $10 more but really convenient. John Palmers book is the bomb... good luck, cheers Paul

[Darren Andrews (Daza)]

Hi I don't know if the Craft Series kit with stainless fermenter is a temperature controlled or not? I would definitely invest in a heat-pad I think and it's either that way or the stainless pot/brew kettle and a plastic fermenter or the kit way??? The book i found was too hard to read for me so sent it back sadly but have since bought another this is link to it....

http://www.trademe.co.nz/books/nonfiction/cooking/other/auction-900... so I hope this has some good information I can use.

Cheers.