Kombucha brewing is as satisfying as it is delicious. To get started, you need proper kombucha equipment. However, the good news is that you might already have the materials you need to at home.
Table of Contents
3 Items You Need
- A brewing vessel: Your kombucha will need a place to ferment, so ensure you have a proper container, whether batch or continuous brewing.
- A proper cover: You must cover your brewing vessel with a breathable material to allow oxygen in and keep fruit flies and other critters out.
- Fermentation bottles: You will need glass bottles that seal tightly for your second fermentation.
After obtaining these materials, you can start your search for a SCOBY, sweet tea, and starter tea. Within a couple of weeks, you’ll have created your first batch of kombucha.
Choosing a Brewing Vessel
Material
The best kind of container to use for your kombucha fermenter is a glass jar. It will not react to the acidity of the brew, and it is safe and easy to clean. It also does not scratch easily and does not contain BPA.
You can also use food-grade, high-density plastic containers or stainless steel containers. However, you want to avoid lower-grade plastic, other metals, older ceramic jars, or crystal containers.
There is a myth that you cannot use metal with kombucha because it will react with the acidity, but stainless steel tools are fine (strainers, spoons, knives, etc.).
If you decide to do a continuous brew, you will want a vessel with a spigot. You should ensure it is a stainless steel spigot so it doesn’t compromise your brew.
Size
You can use pretty much any size container to brew kombucha. However, it is best to use a wide-mouthed brew kettle so that you can easily fit your hand or a ladle inside. Your kombucha tea needs to breathe, so ensuring the opening is wide enough to allow oxygen to enter is essential.
Avoid containers with a lot of surface area, as the surface area at the top of the liquid will affect the rate at which your kombucha brews. The larger the surface area, the faster your booch will brew, but quicker isn’t always better. This could mean that your kombucha will have more of a robust, vinegary taste.
What Type Of Cover Should I Use?
When fermenting kombucha, you need to cover your brewing vessel, but it also needs to be able to breathe. The best type of covers includes mesh cloth, coffee filters, or even paper towels. Secure the breathable cover with a rubber band.
The kombucha SCOBY feeds on the sugar from the sweet tea, which causes fermentation. In this case, the kombucha tea needs to be able to breathe because the oxygen helps the fermentation process.
How to Choose Kombucha Bottles
Material
Like the brewing vessel, glass is ideal for kombucha bottles. While you can use other materials like plastic or porcelain, you always want to ensure it is food-grade. Avoid the use of any ceramic that contains lead or low-grade plastic bottles.
Size
The size of your kombucha bottles is entirely up to you, as it doesn’t directly impact how you make kombucha. You can choose bottles that are convenient single servings (like 8 oz bottles), or you can go with larger bottles to make the prep easier.
Kombucha bottles must have an airtight lid. Sealing the bottles tightly creates the carbonation that makes your kombucha deliciously fizzy. Some bottles have swing tops which are convenient for sealing your kombucha for its second fermentation. There are wide-mouth twist cap bottles that make prep easy as well. You can also use growlers for larger batches of kombucha.
Helpful, Yet Optional Kombucha Equipment
- Tea ball: This can make brewing your sweet tea a bit easier. Put your loose-leaf tea inside and place it in the boiling water to infuse your tea. (This is an alternative to using tea bags for sweet tea.)
- Funnels: These can make pouring your kombucha from its brewing system into the fermentation bottles much easier.
- Heat mat: If you are brewing in a cooler place, this can be a great instrument to help with temperature control, as fermentation happens easier in warm conditions.
- Kombucha starter kit: You can buy an entire starter kit with all the kombucha brewing equipment needed to get started. This is great for beginners, ensuring you have everything you need!
- Bottle brushes: These make cleaning your kombucha bottles much easier after each use.