There is an infinite number of equipment combinations that you can use to brew beer. We are going to focus on the things you must have to start brewing. Many homebrew shops sell kits that will include everything you need. However, you may have some of the equipment already at home! In case you need to fill out your equipment, a list of homebrew starter equipment is below. The recommendations in this list assume a 5-gallon batch size.
Kettle – You will need a pot that can hold at least 3 gallons of boiling water. Preferably you want a pot that is capable of bringing 7 gallons to a boil, but these pots can be expensive. If it is not in your budget, just get the largest kettle you can afford. Stainless steel is generally the favored material among homebrewers, but an aluminum or enameled stock pot will work and they are generally less expensive.
Fermenter – A bucket fermenter is the cheapest option and is included with most basic equipment packages. The bucket should have a 7 gallon capacity and be made of food-grade plastic. The bucket fermenter will also need a lid with a grommeted hole for an airlock.
Airlock – The airlock serves two purposes. It allows the fermenter to release excess CO2 created by the yeast and keeps airborne contaminants out of your beer. There are two types of airlocks, three-piece and bubbler. I prefer the three piece airlocks because they can be disassembled and are easy to clean.
Bottling Bucket – The bottling bucket will be used to mix the beer with the bottling sugar and transfer the beer to the bottles. The bucket is the same style as a fermenting bucket, but with an attached spigot.
Siphon – To transfer your beer between the kettle and the fermenter and again between the fermenter and the bottling bucket, you will need a siphon. The siphon consists of a racking cane and tubing. There are auto-siphons available that will create the suction needed to start the flow of beer.
Spoon – You will need a long spoon to stir the wort. It can be metal or plastic. The size of the spoon really depends on the size of your kettle. Make sure the spoon can reach the bottom of the kettle while you can comfortably maintain a grip on the spoon.
Sanitizer – Making sure your equipment is sanitized will ensure that you will not introduce bacteria into your beer that can cause an infection. Star-San is my preferred sanitizer. It is easy to use and works quickly. Regardless of what sanitizer you choose, make sure it is a no-rinse sanitizer. If you have to rinse your equipment after using the sanitizer then your equipment will no longer be sanitized.
Cleaner – Normal dish soap will leave behind residues that can harm your beer and may not be strong enough to get your equipment clean. There are excellent cleaners available that are specially formulated to deal with the beer mess left behind in your equipment. Some cleaners, like PBW, are so powerful they won’t even require you to scrub your equipment!
Bottles – You can buy bottles from a homebrew shop or save money by reusing bottles from the beer you drink. Just make sure to clean the bottles thoroughly. You can’t use screw top bottles. Screw top bottles will not seal properly and your beer won’t carbonate. I just gave you an excuse to save money by drinking beer. Use it early and often.
Bottle Filler – A basic bottle filler is a tube with a spring-loaded valve on the end. When the filler is pressed against the bottom of a bottle, the valve opens and releases beer. The valve closes when the filler is lifted off the bottom of the bottle.
Bottle Capper – There are two types of bottle cappers: winged and bench. A winged capper is a handheld model that requires both hands to secure the cap on the bottle. A bench capper is a stationary capper that can be operated with one hand and some models will cork bottles as well. Winged cappers are less expensive and popular among most homebrewers.
Use the equipment that works best for you. One size does not fit all in this case. Is there something you can’t live without in your home brewery? Please share in the comments.