Best Wine Making Equipment
The Portuguese double Lever corker is constructed of steel and plastic and is an economical choice for those getting into wine making.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"UPDATE: 9/19/15 - I watched several YouTube videos and ran across one that said you should put your corks in water for 1-2 minutes. I'll be keeping this corker now, but am still docking 1 star for lack of instructions which prompted me to start the return process."
"It does a very good job."
"Works fine."
"Easy to use."
"Love this gadget."
"I still think so, but the deformation on the cork is not really relevant to me, and I have never had it break the cork."
"Worked well corking my wine bottles, for the price I really cant complain about there not being a way to adjust how far the cork is pressed in."
"Once I realized that I had to check the centering before inserting the cork into the bottle it was better."
Handcrafted American white oak staves cut & fitted precisely around two equal heads of oak and perfectly bound by 6 hoops of steel! Primitive craftsmanship as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago. We've added a medium toast char to the inner wall to caramelize the oak's sugar. It's a piece of American history that will be proudly displayed for family & friends for several years to come. - Certified, Genuine "American Oak Barrel Company" Product | "MADE BY" & Sold Directly by American Oak Barrel | Quality Distinction Guaranteed | Our Reviews & Feedback Insure Satisfaction. - Scroll down this page to our LARGE logo to understand who we are, the value we offer & how to recognize you are purchasing an Authentic "American Oak Barrel' Product!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"As an aside my husband also received another oak barrel as a gift from another party."
"My husband is currently making a second batch aged old fashioned in the barrel, the first batch didn't last very long because it was so good."
"I got this aging barrel for my husband for Christmas and he started using it right away."
"The depth of flavor in the aged whiskey was impressive."
"Followed direction - no leaks."
"Lost a star for the ugly stand."
"I gave this barrel to my friend who makes his own spirits."
"One of the best gifts I have ever bought."
The #8 corks have a slightly smaller diameter then the #9 corks, so these are a great option when using a plastic plunger Type corker. High quality agglomerated cork body with beveled edges.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I use a corker to put these in recycled beer and wine bottles."
"Corks work as described, look just like ones that are in store bought wine and fit in those bottles well."
"Love these corks - they fit nicely in my wine bottles, never leak, and never fall apart like other corks -- I recently purchased another 100 for my wine making hobby."
"If they begin to leak over time, I will update this review."
"Even though I checked the size on these, they seemed so big when they arrived."
"I used these for home brew wine, and they fit snugly into a variety of recycled wine bottles."
"I still use the old-school brute force corker so these worked well after soaking for a day in metabisulfate solution."
"I ordered #8 corks. If they had sent #8 corks in the bag as labeled and as ordered, I would not have had a problem."
Best Wine Making Barrels
Handcrafted American white oak staves cut & fitted precisely around two equal heads of oak and perfectly bound by 6 hoops of steel! Primitive craftsmanship as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago. We've added a medium toast char to the inner wall to caramelize the oak's sugar. It's a piece of American history that will be proudly displayed for family & friends for several years to come. - Certified, Genuine "American Oak Barrel Company" Product | "MADE BY" & Sold Directly by American Oak Barrel | Quality Distinction Guaranteed | Our Reviews & Feedback Insure Satisfaction. - Scroll down this page to our LARGE logo to understand who we are, the value we offer & how to recognize you are purchasing an Authentic "American Oak Barrel' Product!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"As an aside my husband also received another oak barrel as a gift from another party."
"My husband is currently making a second batch aged old fashioned in the barrel, the first batch didn't last very long because it was so good."
"I got this aging barrel for my husband for Christmas and he started using it right away."
"The depth of flavor in the aged whiskey was impressive."
"Followed direction - no leaks."
"Lost a star for the ugly stand."
"I gave this barrel to my friend who makes his own spirits."
"One of the best gifts I have ever bought."
Best Wine Making Bottles & Corks
The Portuguese double Lever corker is constructed of steel and plastic and is an economical choice for those getting into wine making.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"UPDATE: 9/19/15 - I watched several YouTube videos and ran across one that said you should put your corks in water for 1-2 minutes. I'll be keeping this corker now, but am still docking 1 star for lack of instructions which prompted me to start the return process."
"It does a very good job."
"Works fine."
"Easy to use."
"Love this gadget."
"I still think so, but the deformation on the cork is not really relevant to me, and I have never had it break the cork."
"Worked well corking my wine bottles, for the price I really cant complain about there not being a way to adjust how far the cork is pressed in."
"Once I realized that I had to check the centering before inserting the cork into the bottle it was better."
Best Wine Making Crushes, Presses & Stemmers
Style Name: Fruit & Wine Press. The 16 quart cage (15 liter) has a capacity for approximately 3 gallons of juice yield. Heavy-duty, coated, cast iron, double ratcheting head presses with greater pressure and ease.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This apple crusher arrived in excellent condition."
"We haven't actually used it yet, but after years of hand chopping & stomping the apples in a sourkraut stomper for cider, I can't wait to!"
"Shorter base."
"Very happy with this fruit press."
"We made our own cider press (internet ideas) and use this to crush the apples."
"The fruit press is of very nice quality, however, as indicated by some of the reviews it does take a bit of time to learn how to operate it most efficiently."
Best Wine Filters
Developed by a father and son scientific duo, David and Derek Meadows set out to discover a way for people to drink wine without the wine allergies and intolerance symptoms, such as Headaches, Congestion, Skin Flush, and Hangovers. Alleviates Wine Allergy Symptoms, Including Headaches, Congestion, Skin Flush, and Hangovers.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I love wine, but have terrible allergies to the histamines, sulfites, and preservatives in wine."
"They really work!!!!"
"As someone who has always had severe adverse reactions when drinking wine, champagne and sangria, this works very well."
"No stuffed up nose, no headaches!"
"It actually works!"
"Bought this as a gift, packaging came damaged."
"For some reason I developed an allergy to wine even though I had enjoyed an occasional glass for over 35 years without any issues."
Best Wine Making Starter Sets
We bring homebrew to the masses (classes, demonstrations, competitions, brewing festivals, and advertising outside hobby publications), Northern Brewer has been in the thick of it since 1993. The Master Vintner Wine Starter Kit delivers exclusive first-class instruction from over 50 years of combined experience. Equipped with all the tools you need to make top-quality wine from a recipe kit or when you advance to using fresh juice. Unparalleled instruction from industry leader Tim Vandergrift are delivered in an easy-to-follow how-to DVD.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My friends and I got together over the weekend and made a project out of it : ]. Some pros about the product that stood out : -The instructional dvd explained the process in detail and made it idiot proof haha. -The materials provided are definitely of quality and easy to use."
"Great starter kit for experienced and non-experienced wine makers alike."
"Have had to replace several pieces of this kit."
"It is bubbling out of the water valve so pressure should not be enough to make the lid open but somehow the lid still slowly works open."
"Keep in mind, you're going to have to purchase 30 wine bottles and a 6 gallon wine recipe kit as well."
"My husband has made wine before and he thinks this is a great set that has everything you need to get started included in it."
"Love it."
"Other than the corker included with this kit is mostly worthless, the rest of the kit is superb."
Best Beer Brewing Equipment
Forget all about plastic straws that add to pollution and treat yourself to the deluxe experience of this exquisite set of 4 high-end straws that will take your enjoying a fresh juice or an ice cold cocktail to a whole new level! Also, the straw is only approximately 7-8 inches long from after the bend (Aprox 9-10 inches total), so it will not fit in all cups. Fits the " YETI Rambler 30 oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler with Lid " exeptionaly well!!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Love them, they are great."
"I bought the extra long stainless steel drinking straws some time ago and I just love them."
"A well made and long wearing alternative to disposable drinking straws."
"My other steel straw that I use for my Yeti came with a different lid."
"These are exactly what I needed."
"Feels weird when your teeth touch it, but if you get used to just using your lips, they are really nice and keep the drink cold as you sip it which is nice."
"Took 1 star off because they could be a half inch to an inch longer for my 30oz Yeti."
"Good straws for Yeti 30oz tumblers."
Best Brewing & Fermentation Equipment
Your Kombucha Brewing Kit includes: 1 Gallon Glass Brew Jar w/ lid, Organic Kombucha Culture & 8oz. Including only 100% organic ingredients, you'll have everything you need to start brewing as soon as it arrives and the kombucha culture and equipment to keep you going for years. When you're done with your initial brew, the included 16 page Post-Brewing Guide will walk you through how to bottle your brew, experiment with different flavors and care for your kombucha culture.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I've been wanting to try my hand at making kombucha for a few years now but was afraid of making it wrong and becoming deathly ill. Also, I admit, the Scoby kind of freaked me out."
"The kit has everything you need to get started but I would highly recommend checking out the Kombucha Shop's website (http://www.thekombuchashop.com) for more instruction, tips, and ideas for making a great, flavorful kombucha. Here are a few products I've found to be helpful when making and serving the kombucha: -OXO Good Grips 3-Inch Mini Strainer: This is great for filtering out the fruit and particles when serving your kombucha following the secondary fermentation. -Calphalon Nylon Ladle Utensil: I use this for transferring the kombucha from the big gallon jar to the flip top bottles that I use for the secondary fermentation (see below) and this works great because it has notches on either side for more precise pouring of liquids."
"Keep the box the kit comes in for your bottles during 2nd ferment as well, it makes it easier for storing in a "warm, dark place" for several days."
"The company has been more than helpful and will answer any questions you have if you shot them an email from their website."
"Package arrived quickly; the glass jar and bottles were well packed (no broken bits)."
"It was still a little too sweet, so I will just wait a few more days before bottling next time."
"I'd been wanting to make my own kombucha for over a year but always felt too intimidated by the process."
"We followed all instructions to a T. Not understanding why we have mold but this is ridiculous for almost $50."
Best Beer Brewing & Wine Making Testing
The Standard of Measurement Practical for both indoor and outdoor use, the Lasergrip 774 lets you safely measure surface temperatures from a distance while still maintaining laser-sharp accuracy. With user-friendly operation and a temperature measurement range that surpasses boiling points, the possibilities are endless. Better Accuracy: The Distance to Spot Ratio is 12:1, meaning the Laser grip 774 can accurately measure targets at greater distances compared to most other IR Thermometers. Added Function: The LCD screen is backlit, also has an Auto-Off function to extend the battery life, and features a low battery indicator so you never accidentally run out of juice (battery included).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This device is probably the best single purchase that I have made on Amazon in my three-plus years of Prime membership. It functions wonderfully as a distance thermometer, shining a tiny red dot on what I'm measuring and, based on comparison with a thermoscan camera at work, is pretty accurate across a range of temperatures from 0°F up to about 400°F. The button that turns on the device has a very soft click, barely perceptible, so it won't distract your faithful (or in the case of cats) persistent companions. *Probably won't reliably measure the temperature of flames at a safe enough distance, so don't get too close to fire."
"Etekcity Line of Lasergrip IR Themometers ( 1022D, 800, & 630) compared to Klein IR1000. I am not a Professional HVAC or auto mechanic but I do a lot of work myself on my home and vehicles.. An IR thermometer has many uses. I bought this as a homeowner to verify hot/cold spots around my home. I decided I would go with Etekcity Line IR thermometer based on Amazon Best seller Etekcity 774 (best seller most reviewed and priced very affordable at $16.88). After researching other Etekcity models I found many different options that offered different ranges, features, and spot/distance ratios up to 16:1 with 12:1 being the higher standard and what most higher end brands have.. spot/distance ratios range from 8:1 to 16:1 in this class of IR tool. I submitted a question to them through Amazon and Etekcity responded within the same day offering to call me , as I had a lot of questions..I was able to immediately open a chat conversation with Etekcity customer reps and they were VERY helpful in explaining to me the advantages / differences in all of their IR thermometers. Etekcity 1022D- $19.99 Etekcity Lasergrip 1022D Non-contact Digital Infrared Thermometer, Dual Laser, Blue. my first IR from Etekcity: I like the idea of Dual lasers & adjustable emissivity. Etekcity 800 Lasergrip - $25.98 Etekcity Lasergrip 800 Non-contact Digital Laser IR Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun, Yellow/Black. Features: Single Laser. 16:1 distance to Spot ratio. Emissivity- FIXED at .95. Range: -58℉ - 1382℉. After a disappointing test of the Etekcity 1022D I read reviews and decided to look at the 800, It features better accuracy at range with a 16:1 distance spot ration. *** Etekcity 630 Dual Lasergrip - $29.99 Etekcity Lasergrip 630 Dual Laser Non-contact Digital Infrared Thermometer, Gray and Black. First impression was how it was packaged in a nice solid cardboard box ( unlike the plastic blister packs of the others including the Klein. The most features, options and in my tests most accurate ( accuracy is negligible between 800 & 630 both are well with in the +/- .5 to 2.0 tolerance). Features: Dual laser for better accuracy. 16:1 Distance to Spot Ratio. Emissivity: ADJUSTABLE. Range: -58℉~1076℉. Multi function menu options ( MAX/Min temp setting, AVG and Diff/ TD). I chose the 630 over the 800 mainly due to the extra menu options ( AVG, MAX, MIn , Diff) adjustable emissivity ,and dual laser aside form that the 800 & 630 perform identically. the 1022D and 774 are priced well at under $20.00 but for more features and higher specs I think one will not go wrong with the Etekcity 800 or Feature rich Etekcity 630."
"I bought this product because I thought my refrigerator was not cold enough, and I saw the tech that previously came out using a lazer thermometer to gauge the temps inside."
Best Brewing & Wine Making Racks & Storage
Size: Set of 2. Perfect for interior closets, under stairwells, in pantries, and basements.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"They don't look fancy, and when you start stacking them up to really build up storage space... sure, you could probably get a better looking solution for the price. The dips on the top are great for awkwardly sized bottles, demis and magnums, as well as bottles that are to be regularly accessed (I keep my spare vermouth at the ready if there are otherwise unoccupied dips). They're easy to transport, be it for bringing to a party, empty for a run to the store, or reconfiguring/moving the stack."
"I am an amateur winemaker so I have a lot of wine that needs to be stored while it reaches maturity; usually 20-30 cases. For years this has meant cardboard boxes as I moved and shifted the wine as it matured. These can be troublesome... they don't last, not every bottle fits in them, they are heavy for me (short, round woman) and so on. It doubles as a stool when I need to reach those in the top shelf, they stack and they are all uniform."
"I store my wine in my 100+ year old basement, way in the back corner on the floor under a shelving unit in cardboard wine boxes."
"They fit nicely into a dark closet for a small to fairly large wine collection."
"If you want to put your wine racks on display, buy something else, because these plastic storage containers are as plain and utilitarian as manila folders."
"Now he had this bungeed to the side of the back of his SUV and can drop in one bottle for a dinner or six for a party. I would personally put a shim under the front sodo it was slightly tipped backwards."
"I went through several solutions prior to purchasing this one including: - cardboard wine boxes, stacked. - wooden wine racks. - other plastic racking solutions. Generally, cardboard just didn't last at all and was a terrible idea. You can add a few extra bottles on top of a stack or add another container on top - no changes required."
Best Brewing & Fermentation Labeling Supplies
The Neato Beer Bottle Labels give you enough supplies to label 40 beer bottles completely. This software will help you design Neato Labels, Cell Phone Skins, Inserts, Beer Labels, and Wine Labels. Because the Neato labels and software are designed together, there is no figuring out sticker sizes and software settings, leaving you more time and brain power to spend on your designing. Get 40 Beer Bottle Labels - 3 x 3 1/2 and 40 Neck Labels.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have used these labels for several batches of beer and the results are always first class: sharp colors professonal appearance."
"Excellent product."
"I had some issues getting my printer (Canon MP560) to feed the paper correctly and to line up with the template - I eventually added some extra "empty" space around my designs so that it wouldn't catch the edge of my design and have an ugly white border on parts the label."
"The small top label on the other hand, and I'm assuming its because of the multidirectional curvature of the bottle neck, had issues with staying in place on almost every bottle."
"The labels came quickly and in good condition."
"This kits makes it very easy to create your own labels in Microsoft word."
"The image still didn't quite match with the label- resulting in white strips on various edges of the label, but useable."
"The design elements were extremely lacking so instead I used a desktop publishing program that I use for a ton of work projects."
Best Home Brewing Cleaning & Sanitation
STAR SAN is also a self-foaming sanitizer. Sanitizing with STAR SAN on a daily basis will leave equipment in an acid condition that will eliminate water spotting. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Little goes a long away!"
"Order came quick!"
"cleaned out the lines for my kegerator really well."
"which is great for any project where you have to clean...er...SANITIZE..a number of items OVER time as with wine making so as to not contaminate when testing wine, stirring, etc."
"5 batches of beer/cider/wine so far, not a single one has been spoiled yet."
"My favorite sanitizer for brewing and wine making."
"Never had a bad batch of cider using this stuff to sanitize."
"What else can you say about star san?"