Basic Brewing Equipment

In order to make beer at home, youâll need a few items of equipment in addition to the ingredients. Some of the equipment can be found in your kitchen -- things like spoons and pans. But you will need to purchase several additional items from a homebrew store as well. Hereâs a list of every thing required to make your first batch.

You can purchase these items from a local homebrew store or by phone. See our list of homebrew stores for sources.

Things you usually have already

A stove. Running water. (You can brew without these, but its not recommended for your first batch!)

A pan with 1.5 to 2 gallons capacity. (Donât use anything with visible rust on the inside.)

Cooking spoon -- plastic, wood or metal. (Again, no rust!)

Can opener

Measuring cup -- 1 cup capacity or larger

A cup or small bowl -- used for mixing up the yeast.

Things youâll buy from the homebrew store

Fermenter: Usually a 6.5 to 7 gallon plastic tub with a tight fitting top. The top will have a small hole where the air lock will be inserted.

Air lock: This allows carbon dioxide to escape during fermentation while keeping the room air out. Insert in hole on the fermenter top using a proper-sized stopper. Fill air lock chamber about one-half full with water.

Transfer or racking tubing: Clear plastic tubing used for transferring the beer from one vessel to another and during bottling. Often comes with a stiff cane-shaped tube attached to one end which makes it much easier to use. The cane should have a pointed thimble attached to the straight end to keep it elevated above the bottom of the fermenter while it is being used.

Bottling or racking bucket: An open-topped plastic bucket used during bottling. Beer will be transferred into this bucket from the fermenter and then from here into the bottles.

Bottle Filler: A section of stiff tubing fitted with a spring-loaded plunger at the end. Used to transfer beer into beer bottles by pressing the plunger end against the bottom of the beer bottle.

Bottle Capper: A device used to affix bottle caps to the filled bottles of beer.

Thermometer: Used to check the temperature of the beer before adding the yeast.

Sterilizing Agent: Your homebrew shop can recommend various alternatives or you can use plain unscented household bleach.

Bottles: You can purchase clean, new bottles from many homebrew stores. Alternately, you can acquire empty returnable bottles and clean them yourself. Youâll need nearly three cases for each 5-gallon batch of beer.

Bottle cleaning brush: For cleaning bottles. Youâll need this eventually, even if you buy clean, new bottles from the store.

Basic Options and Accessories

The equipment listed above will allow you to make your first batch or two of beer. A few additional items will make the process easier or provide you with additional information. As a result, some suppliers sell these items as part of a basic set-up and in most cases, you will probably be happy you got them.

Hydrometer: This is used to measure the specific gravity or density of the beer before fermentation. Knowing this allows you to determine the alcohol content and other characteristics of the beer.

Glass carboy: Five gallon glass carboys are the fermenter of choice among more experienced homebrewers. Unlike plastic, they do not scratch and therefore are easier to keep clean and sanitary. Using them for your initial fermentation requires a bit more caution and effort. For each carboy, you will want a cap and a handle. Also useful: A carboy brush for cleaning.

Funnel: Necessary when using glass carboys. Some come equipped with a strainer.

Grain/hop bag: Used when grains are a part of the recipe. A household strainer can be substituted, but the bag is easier, faster and often does a better job.

For more, see Beyond basics.