Overview of Cheap Brewery Equipment

Homebrewing and craft brewing are more popular than ever. While the big brands still dominate the market, there are over 8,000 craft breweries in the United States alone. More people are discovering the joys of brewing their own beer at home too.

But starting your own microbrewery or home brewery requires significant investment in equipment. New stainless steel tanks, fermenters, filters and other gear can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Many small scale starter breweries and homebrewers want to minimize initial capital costs.

This guide covers all the cheap brewery equipment options to help startups and hobby brewers. We look at how to assemble an affordable brewhouse on a budget.

Overview of Cheap Brewery Equipment

Cheap brewing equipment allows you to dip your toe into commercial beer production or homebrewing without breaking the bank. Here are the key things to know:

• Used equipment is plentiful from breweries expanding or closing down. Stainless steel holds up over decades.
• Imported equipment from China costs a fraction compared to U.S. or German manufacturers. Quality varies.
• Plastic fermenters avoid corrosion and are 1/10th the price of stainless steel. Great for homebrewing.
• Many equipment substitutes exist. e.g. keggles for kettles, propane burners vs steam systems.
• Going manual instead of automated reduces costs but increases labor.
• Buying kits is cheaper than piecing individual parts. Economies of scale.
• Focus on essential brewhouse gear first. Expand later. Start small.

Cheap brewing setups require more hands-on work but get the job done on a budget. Let’s look at equipping a full brewhouse step-by-step:

Guide to Key Brewery Equipment on a Budget

Here are the core vessels and systems needed for brewing with budget options for each:

Equipment Type	Cheap Options
Mash Tun	Cooler mash tun, plastic bucket, rectangular food-grade plastic storage container
Brew Kettle	Converted kegs (“keggles”), stainless steel restaurant equipment
Fermentation Tanks	Plastic buckets, modified kegs, plastic conical fermenters
Temperature Control	Johnson A419 temperature controllers, inkbird controllers, brew belts, heat pads, cooling coil in keg
Boil Kettle	Converted kegs, Bayou Classic propane burners or King Kooker turkey fryer
Chiller	Immersion chiller, plate chiller from China, no-chill by racking to covered kettle
Bottling or Kegging	Used commercial bottler/kegger, budget bench cappers, kegging system kit
Cleaning and Sanitation	Restaurant grade CIP spray balls, peracetic acid sanitizer

This minimal brewhouse setup allows 1-3 BBL commercial production or 5-10 gallon homebrew batches. Let’s explore the options in more detail.

Types of Cheap Brewing Tanks

Fermentation and aging of beer requires temperature controlled stainless steel or plastic tanks. Here are some thrifty alternatives to expensive conical fermenters:

Tank Type	Price Range	Volume Range	Pros	Cons
Used Stainless Steel	$300-$1000	7-30 BBL	Lasts forever, jacketed available	May have damage or leaks
Plastic Conicals	$100-$300	3-15 gallons	Improved shape, compact	Scratches over time
Modified Kegs	$50-$150	5-15 gallons	Stackable, readily available	Round shape limits yeast collection
Plastic Buckets	$10-$50	3-6 gallons	Very cheap, widely available	High risk of infection, poor seals

Cheap Boil Kettles and Burners

The boil kettle is where wort is boiled with hops for aroma and bitterness. You need a strong heat source and kettle that won’t scorch.

Equipment	Price Range	Volume Range	Heating Method	Pros	Cons
Converted Keg	$100-$200	10-15 gallons	Propane or Electric	Multi-purpose vessel	Time consuming to modify
Bayou/King Kooker	$100-$200	10-55 gallons	Propane	High BTU for fast boiling	Outdoor use only
Electric Brewery Pot	$100-$300	5-15 gallons	Electric	Precise temperature control	Slow heating, high energy use

Propane offers the most bang for your buck for heating kettles and mash tuns. But it requires outdoor use. Electric gives more temperature precision at the cost of slow heating and high energy use.

Cheap Options for Cooling Wort

Once boiling is complete, the hot wort must be rapidly cooled to pitch yeast. Here are some thrifty cooling solutions:

Cooling Method	Price Range	Pros	Cons
Immersion Chiller	$50-$150	Fast cooling in kettle	Risk of contamination, water use
No-Chill	$0 extra	Free, convenient	Slow cooling, less hop aroma
Plate Chiller	$100-$300	Efficient, closed transfer	Must be kept clean

The immersion chiller is a common budget-friendly option. But avoiding cooling equipment entirely by racking to a covered kettle to cool overnight (“no-chill”) gets the job done with no added costs.

Affordable Fermentation Temperature Control

Consistent fermentation temps are critical for quality beer. Here are cheap ways to control:

Method	Price	Pros	Cons
Brew belt	$20	Localized heating	Only heats, no cooling
Temperature controller	$50	Precise temp control	Requires fridge or chamber
Space heater	$30	Heating for chamber	Imprecise temperature

Controlling temps doesn’t have to be expensive. A $20 brew belt combined with a space heater in a small chamber will do the trick on a tight budget.

Low Cost Options for Bottling and Kegging

You need equipment to package your beer for serving. Here are some value-oriented options:

Equipment	Price Range	Pros	Cons
Bench capper	$20	Inexpensive, manual	Slow, labor intensive
Used bottling line	$500-$5000	Fast automation	Takes up space, repairs
Kegging system	$200-$500	Skip bottling, forced carbonation	Keg/tap costs, equipment needs

For small scale use, a simple bench capper avoids the need for an expensive bottling line. Going with kegs instead eliminates bottling but has its own equipment costs.

Buying Cheap Brewing Equipment Kits

Purchasing a full brewery equipment kit is often cheaper than buying individual pieces. Common kits include:

• Homebrew starter kits – $100-$300, equipment for 5 gallon batches
• Nano brewery kits – $1000-$5000, 2-3 BBL brewhouses
• Turnkey brewery kits – $30,000+, up to 15 BBL, plug and play

While less customizable, kits simplify getting started and maximize value from economies of scale.

Cheap Options for Cleaning and Sanitation

Proper cleaning and sanitation are must-haves for brewing. Here are some budget cleaning solutions:

Method	Price	Procedure	Pros	Cons
Peracetic acid	$1/gallon	Soak/circulate, rinse	Non-rinse sanitizer	Corrosive at high concentrations
Restaurant CIP	$300	Hot rinse, pump spray ball	Reusable, effective	Labor for assembly, heating water
Carboy brush	$10	Manual scrubbing	Cheap	Very labor intensive

Peracetic acid is an economical sanitizing agent. Adapting restaurant cleaning in place (CIP) equipment can automate cleaning tanks.

Suppliers for Cheap Brewing Equipment

Here are some recommended suppliers for deals on discounted brewing hardware:

Supplier	Location	Equipment Types	Price Range
Adventures in Homebrewing	USA	New tanks, kegs, kits	Low to high
MoreBeer!	USA	Kits, pumps, burners, chillers	Low to high
Ontario Beer Kegs	Canada	Used kegs, taps, parts	Very cheap
Brewhaus	China	Kettles, burners, fermenters	Very cheap
Alibaba	China	All brewhouse equipment	Very cheap
eBay	USA	Motley used equipment	Very cheap
Restaurant supply	USA	Boilers, kettles, tanks	Mid-range
Craigslist	Local	All used equipment	Wide range
Probrewer	USA	Used commercial tanks	Mid to high

Check brewing forums, Facebook groups and online marketplaces for deals as well. Homebrew clubs are also great for finding used equipment locally.

Typical Cost Ranges for Brewery Equipment

Here are rough price ranges for new budget-friendly brewing gear based on quotes:

Item	Cheap Price Range	Details
20 BBL fermenter	$1000-$5000	Used, scratched plastic or stainless
3 BBL brite tank	$500-$2000	Used/imported, unjacketed
10 BBL boil kettle	$3000-$8000	Imported/used stainless
10 BBL mash tun	$2000-$6000	Insulated plastic/stainless
Plate heat exchanger	$1000-$3000	Single use, imported, 1-3 bbl/hr
7 BBL unitank	$4000-$10,000	Chinese import, scratched, unjacketed
3-5 bbl brewhouse	$6000-$20,000	Manual, propane heating

These prices can be compared to new U.S. equipment costing 2-5x more. Significant savings are possible buying used tanks or Chinese imports.

Ideal Brewhouse Size for Startups on a Budget

For startup microbreweries, a practical brewhouse size is:

• 1-3 barrel (BBL) manual setup
• Affordable equipment cost from $10k-$30k
• Handles pilot batches up to commercial scale
• Lower operating costs
• Allows small taproom-only sales
• Build up capacity over time

Larger automated 10-15 BBL systems have exponentially higher costs. Start small and minimal to keep expenses in check. Aim for a breakeven point below 5000 BBL annual production. Contract brew overflow batches until expansion makes economic sense.

Cost Saving Tips for Brewery Equipment

Follow these tips to maximize savings on critical brewhouse gear:

• Buy used tanks and parts from brewery expansions or closures
• Import inexpensive manual equipment from China
• Start with 1 BBL pilot batches, expand as revenue grows
• Focus on top priority equipment like a boil kettle first
• Use plastic fermenters instead of stainless when possible
• Control fermentation temperatures with cost-effective brew belts or controllers
• Use single-use plate chillers instead of expensive multi-use chillers
• Sanitize with peracetic acid instead of automated chemical CIP
• Avoid bottling line initially, use a bench capper or kegging instead
• Buy equipment in kits for discounts compared to individual pieces

By keeping costs low upfront on equipment, more working capital remains for operations and ingredients during the crucial first year. Breweries can gain momentum on a shoestring budget.

Applications and Uses of Affordable Brewing Equipment

Cheap brewing equipment allows entrepreneurs and homebrewers to:

• Launch a microbrewery on a budget
• Develop test batches and new recipes
• Learn the brewing process hands-on
• Pursue a craft brewing hobby affordably
• Teach others about brewing and beer making
• Start a brew on premises or incubator facility
• Experiment with unique ingredients and techniques
• Host tasting events and parties with homebrewed beer

The lower capital costs make cheap equipment ideal for any small scale brewing operation. Brewpubs, taprooms, taphouses and brew on premises locations can all benefit from budget-minded hardware.

For homebrewers, affordable kettles, carboys, fermenters and chillers let you:

• Brew 5 gallon batches from your garage
• Dial in recipes to perfection over time
• Make beer for personal consumption or as gifts
• Enter homebrew competitions with unique creations
• Save substantially compared to buying craft beer
• Enjoy the creative science of fermentation
• Develop skills to become a commercial brewer

Having access to even basic equipment unlocks so many possibilities to produce tasty homemade beer.

Pros and Cons of Cheap Brewing Equipment

There are some key upsides and downsides to using budget equipment:

Benefits of Cheap Brewery Equipment

• 90% cheaper than buying brand new
• Allows bootstrapping a brewery on a shoestring
• Minimizes risky capital outlays when starting out
• Small equipment has lower operating costs
• Lets you expand in phases as production and profits grow
• Less wasted capacity than oversized equipment
• Learn hands-on commercially-scaled techniques
• Unused tanks from a brewery closure are abundant

Drawbacks and Limitations

• Used equipment may have unseen wear or defects
• Cheap imports often lack support from vendors
• Manual equipment requires more grueling labor
• Plastic fermenters scratch over time and need replacing
• Inability to scale up production in the future
• No automation increases risk of inconsistencies
• Harder to dial in precision temperature control
• Less resale value if tanks are scratched or dented

The tradeoff is mostly labor. But cheap equipment lets you enter the market and work out kinks before investing in expensive upgrades. Used tanks are widely available from the thousands of closed brewpubs whose discarded equipment floods the market. With good maintenance and cleaning, these tanks can serve another decade or more.

For the capital-constrained startup brewery or homebrewer, the pros of budget equipment often outweigh the cons. But to expand beyond a microbrew scale, upgraded equipment becomes necessary.

Comparing Cheap vs Expensive Brewery Equipment

How does affordable brewing hardware stack up against more expensive commercial solutions? Here’s a head-to-head comparison:

Factor	Cheap Equipment	Expensive Equipment
Cost	<$1000 for used tanks, imported gear.	>$5000 for new U.S. made equipment.
Build Quality	Low to moderate. Used tanks work but have dents/scrapes. Imported tanks are thin and warp.	Excellent. Heavy duty kettles and tanks built to last decades.
Automation	Mostly manual transfer and heating.	Fully automated, turnkey brewhouse solutions.
Lead Times	Used in stock, imported 1 month.	3-6+ months for custom U.S. tanks.
Labor Requirements	Highly manual, more hands-on work.	High degree of automation to reduce labor.
Precision	Harder to precisely control temps and processes.	State of the art monitoring and controls.
Capacity	Up to 3 BBL commercial, 10-15 gal homebrew.	10-30+ BBL commercial brewhouses supported.
Operating Costs	Cheaper to run small batches with minimal electricity/propane.	More expensive to operate large-scale automated systems.
Cleaning	Manual clean and sanitize.	Automated CIP systems and cleaning chemicals.
Maintenance	Higher. Used tanks break more often.	Lower. New equipment under warranty.
Quality Consistency	More variation batch to batch.	Automated systems ensure consistency.
Future Expansion	Limited. Equipment maxes out at low volumes.	Scalable to add more tanks as needed.

For early-stage breweries or homebrewing, cheap equipment provides the basics to develop quality beer on a budget. Commercial craft breweries should invest in better equipment for the long haul.

The main tradeoff is labor. Time and effort replacing cheap equipment can outweigh upfront cost savings compared to durable commercial-grade systems. But for new entrants, cheap gear reduces risk.

How To Select Budget Brewery Equipment Suppliers

Choosing the right supplier is critical when buying inexpensive brewing hardware. Here are key considerations when evaluating sources of affordable equipment:

Check Quality and Reputation

• Examine build quality – thickness of steel, quality of welds, longevity
• Read reviews and talk to customers about their experience
• Ask about defect rates and support for problems
• Look at sample equipment photos for imperfections
• Request references from breweries using their gear

Evaluate Support and Documentation

• What support do they offer for questions/troubleshooting?
• Is the equipment well documented with manuals and instructions?
• Can they provide measurement specs, drawings, materials list?
• Do they have an engineering team that can modify design?

Review Experience and Specialization

• How long have they been supplying breweries? Look for 5+ years experience ideally.
• What types of breweries have they worked with? Get references.
• Do they specialize in budget equipment or also offer premium solutions?
• How customizable is the equipment?

Assess Delivery and Shipping

• Where do they ship from? China shipments take 1 month.
• How much is shipping for tanks, kettles and fermenters?
• Do they support delivery logistics like lift gate trucks?
• Can they deliver to your brewery location?

Consider Warranties and Returns

• What warranty do they offer? Used equipment may not have any.
• Can you get replacements for defective parts?
• What are the terms if you need to return equipment?
• Who pays for return shipping if necessary?

Vet suppliers thoroughly and get references. This avoids getting stuck with lemon equipment that doesn’t function properly.

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