Help me build a kit :)

[cadetlinux]

Okay...I think I am starting off with this http://www.northernbrewer.com/conical.html If you have anything better for a conical filter (12.2 Gallon) pricewise or far superior quality let me know. With this I'm wondering can you give me a list of what else i'll need to start making some beer!!!...thanks
Sam

[shughes600]

Is this the first piece of equipment? Can't be. If it is then get a real starter kit. Like This. (http://www.northernbrewer.com/starterkits.html) While I would love to have one, and would never deny a man his toys, there are many more things that you will get more value out of in making good beer. I don't think I'd buy a conical immediately.

[cyanide]

It's not what you need to make beer, it's what you need to do what you want to do.

You can go out and spend a grand on beer equipment, or you can do what I did and spend $15 on a few things, like a fermenter and use pots from the kitchen to do the rest.

All I wanted to do on my first time was boil water, throw in a kit, put it in the fermenter with yeast and a few week later, put it in bottles. Viola!

Your kit, therefore, is hard to put together unless you know what you want to do. Like, are you wanting to make 5 gallons? 10 gallons? 20?
Do you want to make lagers which require storage at cool temperatures, or make ales which need storage at room temperatures?
Are you going to use kits? Are you going to use extracts? Are you going to get grains and do it all from scratch?

How are you going to store it? Bottles? A keg?

It's a bit like asking how to get from A to B. Depending on what you want to do and where you want to go, you need a plane ticket, a car, a bus pass or a bicycle.
I just started at all this too and I got the most help from being specific. If people know what you want to do exactly, they'll be able to help you a little better. Hope this helps! :)

[Tom C]

There are easier and less expensive ways to get started, but I will never deprive anyone of fun toys. If you can afford (which I would imagine you could since considering this option) and have the space (I would think asomewhere in the basement) That looks like a fine fermentor. I wouldn't argue if it ended up in my home to assist me with my 10 gallon batches. Adjusting temp may be an issue though wheras carboys are smaller and can be stored in an extra refridge to lager if you so desire or if in the basement just do your lagers in the winter and ales for the rest of the year. either way have fun!

Tom C

[Fast_Eddy]

While that conical is freaking awesome, I guess I have to agree with everyone else.....might be a bit of an overkill. And if you try a lager you're gonna have a b**ch of a time trying to cool that beast down.

If you know you want to homebrew and you're the type of guy that sticks with stuff, then throw $350-400 buckets at an ultra homebrew kit with kegs and all. Then find an old frig(freezer works better) and make a kegerator. Skip bottling altogether...I know I've never missed it.