Whats The Most Useless Bit Of Brewing Equipment You Ever Bought

[boingk]

Another good thing is my little fan heater I packed up from Big W for something like $15. I initially got it to heat my room, but then started using it for brewing. Small rack behind it made out of coat hangers draped with a wet tea-towel and its a good cooler [or do the wet t-shirt thing]. Or whack it on heat setting and it'll do a good job of heating the brew - just set the thermostat and you're good.

Another hilarious thing is the mini CD thing that came with my Tooheys kit. Anyone got it? Go watch it. Whats the music sound like to you? My mates and I were in hysterics because its....sleazy, retro porn music, hahaha! :super:

 

[fw00r]

Be a hard choice between ...

Sodium Metabisulphite for sterilising, Damned infections (sorted out now)
or
Cartons and cartons of 330ml green crown seal bottles. Still using them though.

But this is early in my brew-obsession and this isnt really equipment so there might be more to come (shouldnt but might)

 

[warrenlw63]

Silicone Carboy bungs.

Like a dollar for everytime they shoot out of their own accord. <_<

Warren -

 

[Duff]

30L standard plastic screw top fermenter.

Never was able to get a proper seal, even when wetting the rubber inlay with a bit of iodophor solution. The S airlock that came with it, is also shit.. if you look at the manufacturing, and how the 2 sides are pressed together, you'll see about a 2mm plastic strip or bump running all the way up both sides that inhibit a snug join with the small rubber bung in lid. To airlock properly, you'll want to sand it smooth or trim with razor blade or just buy a quality 3 piece airlock to begin with.

And let's not forget how hard those lids are to remove if over-tightened or how many posts I've seen here on AHB where users of said fermenters are asking why they have no action in airlock, 3 days after pitching, is my beer ok sort of threads.

Bloody useless.

Hey, but at least if you drop one of those bastards full of beer it'll only bounce and maybe get your pants a little wet whereas if you drop a full glass carboy... well, i won't go into that :unsure: :blink:

reVox,

It's been noted a few times in past topics, but don't be concerned about a tight seal. I use 30L screw tops with the seal removed and a bit of al-foil as an 'air lock'. Just screw them on loose and you won't have a problem.

Will add a vote though for the plastic spoon.

Cheers.

 

[Fents]

Hmm... my plastic spoon from my Coopers' kit has survived ~8 mashes so far without any sign of breaking. Go figure!

Coopers plastic spoons are way more sturdy than LHBS ones with the holes drilled into in. My coopers one has lasted me 3+ years.

 

[Goat]

Silicone Carboy bungs.

Like a dollar for everytime they shoot out of their own accord. <_<

Warrenlw63 - if you dry the surfaces in which you are inserting the bung, it usually sticks. I use a kitchen (paper) towel judiciously - mainly around the rim of the erlenmeyer and the sides of the dung.

I really like the silicon bungs - but thats just because it looks cleaner than the other types

 

[warrenlw63]

Cheers Goat. I shoulda thought of that. Usually I try and flick as much sanitiser off as a I can.

Got my grungy/trusty old rubber ones in ATM. :blink:

Warren -

 

[0M39A]

Coopers plastic spoons are way more sturdy than LHBS ones with the holes drilled into in. My coopers one has lasted me 3+ years.

Same. I have a coopers paddle and ive never had a problem with it.

Mate bought a homebrew shop one and apparently it broke pretty easily.

Much thicker and sturdier.

 

[blackbock]

Luckily I didn't buy it, but my 25L esky mash tun which I converted never got used once. Too small! <_<

 

[stevem01]

I should clarify with that there were graduated markings between the 1.000 ans 1.040

but 1.040 was the highest reading, I mean life begins at "40" pathetic really.

BB

I have been looking for one of these for months, none available in WA, if you have still got it i will take it off your hands. (tiered of squinting at the tiny graduations for my final gravity)

 

[BoilerBoy]

I have been looking for one of these for months, none available in WA, if you have still got it i will take it off your hands. (tiered of squinting at the tiny graduations for my final gravity)

Stevem01,

I returned it and got my money back, thankfully <_<

My eyes are stuffed and find it hard to read too, but my sons eyes are good!

Cheers
BB

 

[Cracka]

I have been looking for one of these for months, none available in WA, if you have still got it i will take it off your hands. (tiered of squinting at the tiny graduations for my final gravity)

I just bought one for a backup. Kmart

 

[warra48]

Yup, one of those cheapie hydrometers from BigW. Only reads up to 1040 max, and anything over that is a guess. I've just given up on OG and FG readings. I now just mash, sparge, boil, chill, ferment, and bottle 2 weeks later if it's an ale. And the beer tastes great (other than my Amarillo Pale Ale, I don't like the aroma and flavour).

 

[glitchpop]

reVox,

It's been noted a few times in past topics, but don't be concerned about a tight seal. I use 30L screw tops with the seal removed and a bit of al-foil as an 'air lock'. Just screw them on loose and you won't have a problem.

Will add a vote though for the plastic spoon.

Cheers.

I couldn't figure out how to get the o-ring out so i just did my best to sanatise with it in there. I like the plastic fermenter so far but I'm totally new to all this so what do I know.

I dunno. I've only still got my first kit in the fermenter but judging by what you guys are saying probably my Morgans Wheat beer kit - lol.

 

[alexbrand]

Uhh... the most useless thing I bought was a small bottle of iodine solution. I used it twice. Since the I did not do the iodine test again.


Alex

 

[pokolbinguy]

At the moment a water filter canister that I was planning of using to filter beer...turns out the catridge doesnt fit so will have to be moved to another use... so at the moment it gets the gong.

Pok

 

[Zwickel]

the most crappy thingy I bought at begin of my homebrewing career, its a beer sphere for an exorbitant price of 84 Euros= ~A$ 130



Ive never used it :angry:

 

[PistolPatch]

I couldn't figure out how to get the o-ring out

glitchpop,

To get the O-ring out, you need to use something blunt but thin such as the handle end of a teaspoon. Run that at about a 30 degree angle along the inside edge of the O-ring until it starts to lift. Once you get a good teaspoon, keep it with your brewing gear.


PP

PS My goodness! A beer sphere! What on earth is that??? LOL Zwickel.

 

[schooey]

:huh:

Looks like something for brewing on the shuttle Atlantis, Zwickel

:lol:

 

[Screwtop]

Most useless - has to be the THREE farrrking long handled plastic stirring spoons from the LHBS. The handle of each one broke in exactly the same place. :angry: