Finding the right used commercial brewery equipment can be a daunting task if you have no idea where to start. Some types of equipment may be too big or too small for your specific brewery, while others could be too expensive. How do you find the right equipment for your needs?
Here are four crucial aspects to consider.
Sizing Matters
The size of your brewhouse will determine the number of vessels you’ll need to have. While this is the case, sizing consideration should be taken into account. If you choose to start too big, you may end up putting a strain on your initial expenditure, and you may end up making a bad batch of beer.
On a small scale, you’ll find it challenging to catch up with the rising cost of ingredients as well as market demands. Thus, you need to garner brewer’s advice so that you can achieve better results by doubling the size of the system. This should, however, not be the only reason why you have to invest in a bigger system.
Take into account the physical space in your brewery. If you hardly have room to add brite and fermenting tanks in the future, it may not be wise to start with a large brewing system. You may also want to consider the height of the ceiling compared to the brite/fermenting vessel height.
When starting a brewhouse, work on a smaller space with enough room to hold a whirlpool in the future.
The Equipment Price
The brewing industry is a booming but competitive business. Any significant increase in demand for brewing equipment translates to the rise in prices. You should always be on the lookout for quality brewing equipment at a reasonable price.
Don’t overlook the fact that it should meet your production needs.
How Flexible is your Equipment?
Are you thinking of adding more vessels and tanks in the future? What if it’s necessary to include a whirlpool to the equipment later?
As you think about buying your equipment, you may want to take into account any future expansion in the next three or four years. This means creating enough space to accommodate other equipment’s as you grow your business.
The Brewing Kettle
The type of brewing kettle you plan of using will determine the amount of beer you’re going to make. When choosing the kettle to use, aluminum and steel are the two options you may want to consider. While the stainless-steel option is a beer alternative, they are more expensive and heavier.
If you choose to settle for the aluminum types, make sure that they’ve got an oxide layer to prevent your bear from getting strange flavors. If you aren’t sure where to begin your search, different websites can help you make an informed decision.
Final Thoughts
You should think about your needs and plans before you decide to make a huge investment. How long do you plan on making beer? What are your goals? Are you hoping to scaleup in the future? Don’t think on a small-scale level, plan by keeping in mind the tips highlighted on this guide.
