Other I'm new here :D Is this kit good?

[BeginnerMark]

I found that this was the cheapest and had most of the stuff in it! I'm just a beginner so maybe I'm wrong
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000FBOWQW/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

thanks guys

 

[cpfan]

$300 for a basic wine making kit? NOT A GOOD DEAL.

Where in Canada do you live? (I assume you live in Canada because you posted an amazon.CA link.) There should be an LHBS near you with a much better price for this.

Steve

 

[arcticmonster]

Check KIJIJI in your area for wine equipment and you will find most of that at around $100 or so.

That kit is expensive.

 

[BeginnerMark]

Wow! Lol sorry i sent the wrong link! The same one on Amazon.COM is for 80$

 

[BeginnerMark]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FBOWQW/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
There u go

 

[BeginnerMark]

Here's a pic if the link fails! Sorry guys for the confusion

 

[arcticmonster]

That's better. Quite the difference in price from US to Canada. I know our $ sucks in Canada but not that bad.

 

[BeginnerMark]

LOL! So is that kit good?

 

[BeginnerMark]

I live in Montreal btw lol

 

[richmke]

This is what I would buy:

36.72 w/drilled bung and twin bubble airlock http://labelpeelers.com/glass-carboy-6-5-gallon/
18.98 w/ undrilled lid http://labelpeelers.com/7-9-gallon-fermenting-bucket/
5.21 http://labelpeelers.com/dual-purpose-hydrometer-5350/
7.09 http://labelpeelers.com/equipment/testing/fermtech-wine-thief/
3.34 http://labelpeelers.com/racking-tube-1-2inch/
3.80 http://labelpeelers.com/potassium-metabisulfite-1-lb/

Note: You will also need some tubing for the racking tube (cane)
Start with an Island Mist wine kit. It is inexpensive, early drinker, and has all the instructions you need.

Eventually, you will need a corker. I highly suggest a floor corker. If you want the double handle one, then the kit might be a good price.

 

[BeginnerMark]

Thanks richmke! I'll take that into consideration! I was thinking of getting the winexperts Vintners reserves Cabernet Sauvignon... For a red wine! Thanks a lot
Mark

 

[Dhaynes]

BeginnerMark - Welcome to the whacky, wonderful world of wine making. Your in for a lot of fun. Sounds like you have a couple of trade-offs to consider. One is the type of corker. The other is the type of wine to start with.

I've never used a double handle manual corker like the one in the picture. I know there are some people who use them and seem to get by okay but most people who buy one very quickly upgrade to a floor corker. The equipment kit we bought when we first started came with an even more rudimentary hand corker that we never attempted to use. When our first kit was still in the carboy we bought a floor corker. I think it was only about $65. It was the best investment we ever made. The good thing is that you don't have to buy the corker up front. It is going to be 4-6 weeks before you are ready to bottle so you can defer that expense for a month. If you buy your equipment and kit from a local shop they may even let you use their corker for your first batch. In addition to being easier to use a floor corker will allow you to use a slightly larger cork, a #9, which will do a better job of sealing and protecting your wine. With a hand corker you use a #8 which is slightly smaller and easier to insert.

For the kit choice the two questions are what do you like to drink and how long are you willing to wait to enjoy your first batch. The Island Mist kits that richmke recommended are the fastest drinking kits out there. They can be ready to drink in 6-8 weeks but will continue to improve with age. Low end white wine kits are next but they need at least 3 months but improve a lot after 6-9 months. The World Vintners California Moscato is a good quick drinker. Red wines generally take about 50% longer to develop so plan on waiting 6-9 months to sample. Give them a year to get good.

 

[BeginnerMark]

Thanks Dhaynes! I was honestly just thinking of getting one of those cork stoppers that you just push in without a corker. It's going to save me money too!

 

[BeginnerMark]

And for the kits I'm thinking a sweet red wine like manischewitz I don't mind waiting

 

[Thig]

Thanks Dhaynes! I was honestly just thinking of getting one of those cork stoppers that you just push in without a corker. It's going to save me money too! View attachment 23258

This will only work short term, it doesn't seal well enough for long term aging.

 

[BeginnerMark]

Oh really! Wow ok thanks thig! Still learning new thing everyday

 

[Bartman]

I've never used a double handle manual corker like the one in the picture. I know there are some people who use them and seem to get by okay but most people who buy one very quickly upgrade to a floor corker. The equipment kit we bought when we first started came with an even more rudimentary hand corker that we never attempted to use. When our first kit was still in the carboy we bought a floor corker. ...In addition to being easier to use a floor corker will allow you to use a slightly larger cork, a #9, which will do a better job of sealing and protecting your wine. With a hand corker you use a #8 which is slightly smaller and easier to insert.

I guess I'm the weirdo, because I have used the two-handed corker for 7-8 years now, and bottled roughly 3,000 bottles (or more). I use both #8 and #9 corks with it, but then again, I may have greater arm strength than some members (you can tell by my avatar ). I have nothing against the floor corkers except the space they require to store (and use). The hand corker slides under my shelving on the floor and is out of the way. I find it efficient and convenient, and don't plan on "upgrading" anytime soon, but to each, his own.

 

[BeginnerMark]

I think I'm just going to go with kit I picked guys thanks!