Fermenting Equipment

Supplies, supplies, supplies!

Even before you order/get your SCOBY, you need to have the right supplies on hand. 

To get a good idea of what to expect of your SCOBY if you have not worked with one before, read this post.
To read about my first experience with my SCOBY's, click here.
Once you have your supplies and are ready to brew and ferment your first batch of kombucha, click here.
For your first batch of Milk Kefir, click here.

 - Very Important -

NO METAL SHOULD BE USED NEAR YOUR SCOBY!  I honestly, can not explain the science behind this statement, but all the fermenting gurus are quite emphatic about it.  I trusting them on this and passing it along to you.

Also, do not wash any of the equipment, bottles, or your hands with soap right before caring for your SCOBY.  We are working with bacteria and yeast.  Soap could harm them.  Instead clean with very hot water and a scrub brush dedicated to cleaning fermented beverages/foods equipment, then rinse everything (including the scrub brush) with vinegar.  Rinse your hands with vinegar, as well, especially before handling the SCOBY.

Click the Read More below to see my list of essential equipment.

Here are the essentials with Amazon links to what I use, for reference, or in case you want to order everything at once:

• 1 - one gallon glass jar - Paksh Novelty 1 Gallon USDA Kombucha Fermentation Glass Jar with White Plastic Lid
  
• 1 - Ball Wide Mouth Half Gallon (64 Oz) Jars with Lids and Bands, Set of 6. I recommend at least 6. It really takes a minimum of 3 to make kombucha and 2 (and a bowl or quart mason jar) for kefir.  I also use them for refrigerated storage.  I barely get by with 6.
  
• 2 - quart mason jars - This link is for a 12 pack, because they are just so handy. - Ball Regular Mouth Quart Jars with Lids and Bands, Set of 12
  
• funnels - Norpro 243 3-Piece Plastic Funnel Set
  
• plastic strainers -  Chef Craft 21551 3-Piece Mesh Strainer Set, White, 3 1/4-inch, 4 1/4-inch and 5-inch
• unbleached coffee filters, such as, If You Care Coffee Filter Basket, 2 1/2 inch Depth -- 100 per pack 3 packs per case.
  
• juicer - Here are two types:  New Star Foodservice 42856 Enameled Aluminum Lemon Squeezer, Yellow and Citrus Juicer with Non Skid Silicone Base, Orange (this is the one I use)
• Ph test strips - 160 Full Range 1-14 pH Test Paper Strips Litmus Testing
  
• cutting board - Ikea has great ones, but here is an amazon link:  MIU Flexible Cutting Board, Set of 5
  
• wooden or bamboo spoon - I prefer the ones with a flatter base.   Helen Chen's Asian Kitchen Slotted Bamboo Stir Fry Spatula, 13-inch
• a good chef's knife - Again, I bought mine at Ikea, but here is a link to one at Amazon: Victorinox Swiss Classic 8" Chef's Knife
  
  

Items that are not necessary, but come in really handy:

•  reCAP Mason Jars Pour Cap, Wide Mouth, Silver - I have 2.
  - These allow you to use the mason jars you already have as pitchers and means that you don't necessarily need to buy bottles.  They are a little pricey, but I really love them.  The only issue I have is getting them back off the mason jar.  My husband has to help with that sometimes. 
•  reCAP Mason Jars Pour Cap, Regular Mouth, Silver - Again, I have 2.
• Washable chalkboard stickers - I really like this set.  It is not the cheapest, but it comes with a very informative digital book on fermented drinks and works well with the chalkboard marker. Chalky Talky Chalkboard Bottle Labels For Homebrew Beer & Kombucha - 36 Reusable Waterproof Vinyl 
• Chalkboard Marker - SuperChalks™ White Liquid Chalk Marker Pens 4-Pack - 4mm Regular Tip - Brilliant Bold White Color
• Bottles - These are supposed to be the best, but I have not made the investment since I have the reCAPS. CASE OF 12 - 16 oz. EZ Cap Beer Bottles - CLEAR

I store everything in a large bin in my dining room which has become the brewing room.  I store the lids in a separate container, just for the ease of finding them.

Jars and equipment stored in bin - www.fermental.com