Topic: where to buy the gear ?

[carloso]

Helloo


desperate to get my wine making off the ground this yr good and proper, I have borrowed some gear but would like to start off again with my own gear this time

anyone know some good cheap places to buy it from ?

Much appreciated

carl

[legendaryone]

I got some stuff from Wilkos, and i got a dozen demi-johns from freecycle.
Wilkos will sell everything you need to get started.  :)

[Si]

I try to support my local homebrew shop because when I need it, they have everything I want.

[roundtoit]

Any suggestions about what to do if you dont have a local homebrew shop and Wilkies dont have much of a range of gear??

[manicscousers]

morrisons, well ours, does a range of wine making stuff  :)

[Si]

I would be prepared to travel because you can get stuff off ebay and other internet sites but in the case of ebay some of it is contaminated through storage in garages and you don't always know what you're getting. Plus you have delivery costs. I would say though, that you can get specific yeast varieties off the internet with some success.
I would simply write a list and be prepared to travel, then bag up on supplies when you get there. Any reputable supplier will only sell the best because they rely upon customers coming back and you get their advice!

[Baccy Man]

If you want to order your supplies online I suggest you look at these 2 companies. To get your demijohns go to your local tip they will be £0.50 each every tip I have ever been to always has loads & always at the same price, you will need to clean & sterilise them with a good chlorine based steriliser before using them though.

This company is based in Birmingham they deliver fast & are helpful on the phone if you need to contact them about anything.
http://www.hamstead-brewing-centre.co.uk/catalog.htm

This company is based in Oxfordshire they are quite cheap if you are buying ingredients in bulk.
http://www.stonehelm.co.uk/index.html

[greyhound]

Any suggestions about what to do if you dont have a local homebrew shop and Wilkies dont have much of a range of gear??

Do you have an old-fashioned, independent hardware shop anywhere in your locality?  The sort that sells all the things you can't find anywhere else .... they often have homebrew equipment.

[Si]

I would never get demi-johns second-hand because you have no idea what they have stored and cannot remove some toxic residues...
http://www.winemakermag.com/mrwizard/137.html

[Baccy Man]

I would never get demi-johns second-hand because you have no idea what they have stored and cannot remove some toxic residues...
http://www.winemakermag.com/mrwizard/137.html

I have around 50 second-hand demijohns all of which are regularly used & I have no problems with them. I know loads of other people who also use second-hand demijohns & again they have no problems either.

[legendaryone]

I would never get demi-johns second-hand because you have no idea what they have stored and cannot remove some toxic residues...
http://www.winemakermag.com/mrwizard/137.html

I have around 50 second-hand demijohns all of which are regularly used & I have no problems with them. I know loads of other people who also use second-hand demijohns & again they have no problems either.

I have to agree i have over a dozen second hand and the wine from then has been beautiful  :)

[beachlover]

I would never get demi-johns second-hand because you have no idea what they have stored and cannot remove some toxic residues...
http://www.winemakermag.com/mrwizard/137.html

I have around 50 second-hand demijohns all of which are regularly used & I have no problems with them. I know loads of other people who also use second-hand demijohns & again they have no problems either.

I have to agree i have over a dozen second hand and the wine from then has been beautiful  :)

Same here. I have about 2 dozen demijohns and all of them are second hand. In fact if you are looking for them have a peep in your charity shops as half of mine came from charity shops.
Bleach them and second hand demijohns are fine.

[philcooper]

Try your local Freecycle - it's a site where items that are no use to you are recycled free - it saves the landfill!! You pay just the cost of collection.

In Hull it's http://www.hullfreecycle.org.uk/, elsewhere just Google Freecycle mytown and away you go

Phil

[Gazfoz]

IMO,

Keep everything sterile.
Don't buy second hand gear.
Get all your basics from wilko as they are cheapest by far.
Keep everything sterile.
Buy your ingredients and kits from a good brew shop, never skimp on the quality of your ingredients, homebrew may be cheap but it isn't cheap in time and effort.
Keep everything sterile.
Make sure you leave your wine (or at least some of it!) to mature for AT LEAST 1 year, so make plenty.
Keep everything sterile.

Happy safe brewing,

Gary.