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As an amateur, or whatever comes before amateur, cidermaker, I had to start somewhere. Not many individuals go all in on a super expensive system for making cider as one builds to the point where they need better equipment for better control. For me, I was just getting my feet wet in the cidermaking world.
If you are like me, you may want to start the process of making cider. There are a lot of products out there. A lot! Here are just a few of the most popular cidermaking kits in the market:
BrewDemon Hard Cider Kit Plus
Our winner and favorite option!
This was the kit that my family ended up purchasing for me. Has a ton of nice features and a proprietary conical fermenter. Different packages include different elements, but I will describe the features that I have included in mine.
Includes: fermenter, adjustable spigot, stick-on temperature gauge, venting plug, bottles, caps, labels, apple juice concentrate, and cidermaking yeast.
Positive: Small batch conical fermenter
Negative: Complaints of the device breaking easily, especially around the spigot. Seems to not be too common.
Price: $72
Purchase here.
Crooked Apple® Hard Cider Starter Kit
For a very similar price, I could have received a few extra elements for my humble cidermaking start! Just look at all those goodies in the picture.
Includes: one-gallon cider recipe kit, primary fermentor, bung & airlock, secondary fermenter, caps, airlock, temperature strip, paddles, siphon & tubing, bottle filler, cappers, caps, and cleaner.
Positive: A system that will produce better results from your first couple of batches.
Negative: Instructions or complexity of the system may not be for all beginners.
Price: $77
Purchase here.
Brewer’s Best Cider House Kit
This kit comes from a business that has been making brewing and cidermaking kits since 1992. Experience can go a long way in making a quality product.
Includes: one-gallon cider recipe kit, primary fermentor, bung & airlock, secondary fermenter, caps, airlock, temperature strip, paddles, siphon & tubing, bottle filler, cappers, caps, and cleaner.
Positive: Makes up to 6 gallons of hard cider
Negative: Not much feedback on the kit itself online. You are buying at your own risk in many ways. Seems like it would have a few instructions.
Price: $89
Purchase here.
Brooklyn BrewShop Hard Cider Kit
This kit seems to be the cheapest kits on the market and very simple. Is that good or bad? You decide.
Includes: one-gallon reusable glass fermenter, 3 packets yeast, vinyl tubing & clamp, racking cane & tip, chambered airlock, 3 packets cleanser, and screw-cap stopper.
Positive: Pricepoint is amazing.
Negative: Vague instructions and a smaller kit overall. Stripped-down experience.
Price: $40
Purchase here.
Craft A Brew Hard Cider Kit
The first kit we ever used to make cider at home
Another very affordable kit that users seem to have success with, likely due to thorough instructions. This is a no-nonsense kit.
Includes: glass jug, tubing/clamp, rubber stopper, airlock, funnel, racking cane
Positive: Pricepoint is amazing, too.
Negative: Stripped-down experience. I saw reviews for missing or expired ingredients.
Price: $43
Purchase here.
Mr. Beer Archer’s Orchard Hard Cider Kit
This kit looks very similar to the BrewDemon kit I currently have, but it comes at a cheaper price point.
Includes: fermenter, adjustable spigot, stick-on temperature gauge, venting plug, bottles, caps, labels, apple juice, and yeast.
Positive: Looks like a happy medium between volume, price, and equipment.
Negative: Similar issues with the spout or easily damaged pieces.
Price: $48
Purchase here.
