Coopers DIY beer kit - gear useful for later brewing?

[welly2]

Hi all,

I've finally set my Coopers DIY beer kit going. It's the basic lager kit. Got to start somewhere. Is the gear going to be any use outside brewing Coopers DIY beer kits or is it essentially useless if I wanted to start brewing some more serious beers? If you're not sure which kit I'm referring to, it's this one:

I'd like to start brewing some more serious beers but before I go throwing money at fermenters etc. I'd like to start using what I have!

Cheers and I'll let you know how it turns out in a couple of weeks! (I'm not expecting any phenomenal results!)

Welly

 

[jimmyfozzers]

Welcome mate! I've been brewing with that kit for about 6 months now. Starting with kits, moving to extract and now BIAB. I still use the fermenter and hydrometer - think that's about it. Gave up on the PET bottles after the first brew. I've also had to get a new tap from Coopers as the one that came with the kit started leaking.

Best of luck and prepare to be sucked in...this brewing business very quickly develops into an obsession

 

[welly2]

Cheers Jim! I shall stick with this for the time being in that case. I remember from years back when I brewed a couple of beer kits as a student I had a fermenter with an airlock. Was surprised to see nothing like that in this kit. I guess it works in another way. Anyway, I'm going to do lots of reading and will probably pester you guys with loads of school boy questions!

Cheers!

 

[petesbrew]

I'm still using the same one I bought 7 or so years ago. Noticed last week the bottom is full of scratches, so I'm thinking it's due to be retired. Still goes okay as a priming bucket though.

 

[mondestrunken]

I think almost everyone started with something similar?

10 points for fermenting in what looks to be the kitchen next to the phone. :beerbang:

 

[welly2]

I think almost everyone started with something similar?

10 points for fermenting in what looks to be the kitchen next to the phone. :beerbang:

No where else to brew in my tiny Sydney pad! And as my ex-girlfriend has moved out a few weeks ago, I'm taking full advantage :drinks:

 

[thedragon]

Welly, that fermenter will last you years no matter what / how you brew. You will no doubt buy other pieces of kit (extra fridge for temp control, stc-1000, 20 L pot for biab, 40L urn, kegs, extra fridge for urn etc, etc), however a fermenter like that will see you through.

 

[Black Devil Dog]

Keep using it until you get an infection, then replace it.

 

[wbosher]

I use the same fermenter, whether it's for kit, extract or AG is irrelevant. A fermenter is just a big bucket for fermenting wort. I've done away with the krausen collar though, as it won't fit in my fermenting fridge. I've replaced the hydrometer with a glass one, the plastic one took on water, still use the testing tube though. I also still use the PET bottles, I think they're great, in fact I bought another 60 of them.

 

[cremmerson]

I'm on to brew number seven since the end of March with a Russian Imperial Stout, James Squire Golden Ale clone and a Slaughterhouse Bitter clone having graced the tank since I discovered specialty grains. I'm still using the PET bottles and now have about 100 - I like bottle conditioning, hate death traps with a 3yo around.

The next step is brew in a bag (BIAB) which will still use the Coopers fermenter, but with a bit more work on the stove beforehand. I didn't expect to be contemplating such a move so early, but the posts above hit the mark - it's a bit of a consuming hobby. You start with a tin of goop, start playing with specialist grains and yeasts, appreciate the depth it brings to your beers and the start challenging yourself to make beers you've tried commercially - or those that you've heard about.

Pardon the longish post over the love of a fermenter, but after three months I'm somewhat hooked. I'd love to hear of how your own hobby grows.

P.S. Yes, you can keep using the fermenter.

 

[Yob]

it's a bit of a consuming hobby.

aint that the truth...

Im still using to old style FV I got as a birthday prezzie nearly 4 years ago... still use the coopers long handled spoon... still 'have' the some of the PET's as well, used rarely and one at a time for force carbing for a taster sometimes..

If you look after the gear well enough, no reason why it cant last you a very long time indeed.

:beerdrink:

 

[welly2]

Thanks to all for your advice! I've probably got ahead of myself but had a few Scotches last night and drunk-ordered a BIAB kit from The Brew Shop.

Ah, why not. In for a penny, in for a pound as they say!

 

[Josho]

The PET bottles are great if you ever move to glass bottles and are worried about bottle bombs on carbonation times just do one plastic bottle and have it as a squeezer,