安価な醸造設備の概要

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.

安価な醸造設備の概要

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:

設備タイプ	Cheap Options
マッシュ・タン	Cooler mash tun, plastic bucket, rectangular food-grade plastic storage container
ブリューケトル	Converted kegs (“keggles”), stainless steel restaurant equipment
発酵タンク	Plastic buckets, modified kegs, plastic conical fermenters
温度管理	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
チラー	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
クリーニングと衛生管理	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:

タンクタイプ	価格帯	Volume Range	長所	短所
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ガロン	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.

設備	価格帯	Volume Range	加熱方法	長所	短所
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	電気	正確な温度制御	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:

冷却方法	価格帯	長所	短所
浸漬チラー	$50-$150	Fast cooling in kettle	Risk of contamination, water use
No-Chill	$0 extra	Free, convenient	Slow cooling, less hop aroma
プレート・チラー	$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:

方法	価格	長所	短所
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:

設備	価格帯	長所	短所
ベンチキャッパー	$20	Inexpensive, manual	Slow, labor intensive
Used bottling line	$500-$5000	Fast automation	Takes up space, repairs
ケグシステム	$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:

方法	価格	手続き	長所	短所
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	安い	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:

サプライヤー	所在地	機材の種類	価格帯
Adventures in Homebrewing	アメリカ	New tanks, kegs, kits	Low to high
MoreBeer!	アメリカ	Kits, pumps, burners, chillers	Low to high
Ontario Beer Kegs	カナダ	Used kegs, taps, parts	Very cheap
Brewhaus	中国	Kettles, burners, fermenters	Very cheap
Alibaba	中国	All brewhouse equipment	Very cheap
eBay	アメリカ	Motley used equipment	Very cheap
レストラン供給品	アメリカ	Boilers, kettles, tanks	ミッドレンジ
Craigslist	Local	All used equipment	Wide range
Probrewer	アメリカ	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:

項目	Cheap Price Range	詳細
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
プレート式熱交換器	$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
• 営業コストの削減
• 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:

ファクター	Cheap Equipment	Expensive Equipment
コスト	<$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.
オートメーション	Mostly manual transfer and heating.	Fully automated, turnkey brewhouse solutions.
リードタイムズ	中古在庫、輸入1ヶ月。	米国の特注タンクは3～6ヶ月以上。
労働条件	手作業が多く、より実践的な仕事だ。	高度な自動化により労働力を削減。
精密	温度や工程を正確にコントロールするのが難しい。	最先端のモニタリングとコントロール
定員	業務用で3BBLまで、自家醸造で10-15gまで。	10-30BBL以上の業務用醸造所に対応。
営業費用	最小限の電気／プロパンで少量生産する方が安い。	大規模な自動化システムを運用するには、よりコストがかかる。
クリーニング	手作業による洗浄と消毒。	自動CIPシステムと洗浄薬品。
メンテナンス	より高く。中古タンクはよく壊れる。	より低い。保証期間内の新装備。
品質の一貫性	バッチごとにばらつきがある。	自動化されたシステムが一貫性を保証する。
今後の拡大	限界がある。機器は小音量で最大になる。	必要に応じてタンクを追加できる拡張性。

初期段階の醸造所や自家醸造の場合、安価な設備は予算内で高品質のビールを開発するための基本を提供する。商業的なクラフトビール醸造所は、長い目で見てより良い設備に投資すべきである。

主なトレードオフは労力だ。安価な機器を交換する時間と労力は、耐久性のある商用グレードのシステムと比較して、初期費用の節約を上回る可能性がある。しかし、新規参入者にとって、安価な機材はリスクを軽減する。

How To Select Budget Brewery Equipment Suppliers

安価な醸造設備を購入する場合、適切な業者を選ぶことが重要です。ここでは、手頃な価格の機器の供給元を評価する際の主な考慮事項を示します：

Check Quality and Reputation

• 鋼鉄の厚さ、溶接の質、耐用年数など、製造品質を調べる。
• レビューを読み、顧客の経験について話を聞く
• 欠陥率と問題への対応について尋ねる
• 機器のサンプル写真を見て、欠陥がないか確認する
• 自社のギアを使用している醸造所からリファレンスを依頼する

Evaluate Support and Documentation

• 質問/トラブルシューティングのサポートは？
• 機器にマニュアルや説明書がきちんと添付されているか。
• 測定仕様書、図面、材料リストを提供できるか？
• 設計を修正できるエンジニアリング・チームはあるのか？

Review Experience and Specialization

• 醸造所への供給歴は？5年以上の経験があることが理想的です。
• どんなブルワリーと仕事をしたことがあるか？リファレンスを得る。
• 格安機器に特化しているのか、それともプレミアムなソリューションも提供しているのか。
• 機材のカスタマイズ性は？

Assess Delivery and Shipping

• 発送元はどこですか？中国からの発送は1ヶ月かかります。
• タンク、ケトル、発酵槽の送料はいくらですか？
• リフトゲートトラックのような配送ロジスティクスをサポートしているか？
• 醸造所の場所まで配達してくれますか？

Consider Warranties and Returns

• 保証はありますか？中古品には保証がない場合があります。
• 不良部品の交換は可能ですか？
• 機材の返却が必要な場合の条件は？
• 返送料は誰が負担するのですか？

サプライヤーを徹底的に吟味し、紹介を受けること。そうすることで、適切に機能しないレモンの機器から抜け出せなくなるのを防ぐことができる。

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