Recommended equipment
The tools worth owning.
A curated list of homebrewing equipment — chosen for quality, longevity, and alignment with the Only Brew philosophy of making things that matter.
Buy once, brew forever
The Only Brew philosophy extends to equipment. We do not recommend the cheapest option or the most expensive. We recommend what we would buy ourselves — gear that will last, perform reliably, and get out of the way so you can focus on the craft.
Fermentation vessels
Glass carboy — 6 gallon
The classic primary fermenter. Inert, easy to clean, and lets you watch fermentation in action. A foundational piece of any serious setup.
Recommended for beginners and experienced brewers alike.
Stainless conical fermenter
For brewers who want more control. Dump trub without racking, take samples easily, and ferment under pressure if desired.
A significant upgrade when you are ready for it.
Airlock and stopper set
Simple, essential, and often overlooked. Keep a few spares on hand.
Buy a 6-pack. You will use them.
Brewing equipment
Stainless steel brew kettle — 10 gallon
Large enough for full-volume boils, durable enough to last decades. Stainless is worth the investment over aluminum.
The single most important piece of equipment you will buy.
Immersion wort chiller — copper
Chill your wort quickly and cleanly. Copper transfers heat efficiently and is easy to sanitize.
Reduces chill haze and improves hop aroma retention.
Auto-siphon and tubing
Racking without introducing oxygen or contamination. The auto-siphon makes transfers clean and consistent.
Replace tubing annually.
Measurement and testing
Digital refractometer
Measure original and final gravity with a few drops of wort. Far more convenient than a hydrometer for in-process checks.
Requires a correction formula for post-fermentation readings.
Precision kitchen scale — 0.1g resolution
Accurate hop and adjunct measurements make a real difference in recipe repeatability. A good scale is non-negotiable.
Used for hops, salts, and any ingredient under 50g.
Calibrated thermometer
Mash temperature accuracy directly affects fermentability and body. A reliable thermometer is one of the highest-leverage tools you own.
Calibrate against ice water and boiling water regularly.
Packaging and serving
Bottle capper and caps
The most accessible packaging option. A good bench capper is faster and more reliable than a wing capper.
Use oxygen-absorbing caps for longer shelf life.
Cornelius keg — 5 gallon
Force-carbonation gives you more control over carbonation level and dramatically reduces packaging time.
The upgrade that changes how you think about homebrew.
CO2 regulator and tank
Required for kegging. A dual-gauge regulator lets you monitor both tank pressure and serving pressure.
A 5lb CO2 tank will carbonate and serve many batches.
Equipment recommendations on this page reflect the personal preferences of the Only Drink What You Brew team. We do not currently participate in affiliate programs. Links, if any, are provided for reference only.