Equipment Guide
You don't need to spend a fortune to start brewing. Here's what you need at every level — from your first extract batch to a full all-grain setup with kegging.
Essential Equipment
Brewing
Brew Kettle (3-5 gallon)
$30-60A large stockpot for boiling wort. For extract brewing, a 3-5 gallon kettle works for partial boils. Stainless steel or aluminum both work fine.
Large Spoon or Paddle
$5-15A long-handled stainless steel or food-grade plastic spoon for stirring the boil. Needs to reach the bottom of your kettle.
Fermentation
Fermenting Bucket (6.5 gallon)
$15-25A food-grade plastic bucket with a tight-fitting lid and a hole for an airlock. This is where your beer will ferment for 1-2 weeks.
Airlock & Stopper
$2-5A small device filled with sanitizer that lets CO2 escape during fermentation while keeping oxygen and bacteria out. Three-piece airlocks are easiest to clean.
Bottling & Transferring
Bottles (48-54 per batch)
$15-3012 oz pry-off bottles (not twist-off). You can buy new or reuse commercial bottles. Brown glass is best for protecting beer from light.
Bottle Capper
$15-25A hand-held or bench-mounted device for crimping metal caps onto bottles. Wing cappers are cheapest; bench cappers are easier to use.
Bottle Caps
$3-8Standard 26mm crown caps. Buy oxygen-absorbing caps for better shelf life. A 5-gallon batch needs about 50 caps.
Siphon & Tubing
$8-15A racking cane and food-grade tubing for transferring beer from fermenter to bottles without disturbing sediment.
Measurement
Hydrometer
$8-15A glass instrument that measures the specific gravity (density) of your wort/beer. Essential for calculating ABV and knowing when fermentation is complete.
Thermometer
$5-15A reliable thermometer for checking mash temperatures, cooling wort, and monitoring fermentation. Digital or dial-type both work.
Cleaning & Sanitizing
Sanitizer (Star San or similar)
$10-15A no-rinse acid-based sanitizer. Everything that touches your beer after the boil must be sanitized. Star San is the industry standard.
Bottle Brush
$3-8A long-handled brush for scrubbing the inside of bottles and carboys. Nylon bristles are best to avoid scratching.
Pro Tip: Start Simple
Many homebrewers make the mistake of buying too much equipment upfront. Start with a basic starter kit and brew a few extract batches first. You'll learn what upgrades actually matter to you. The single best investment after your starter kit is fermentation temperature control — it makes more difference than any other upgrade.
Start with our Simple Blonde Ale recipe