Build Your Brew Setup
So—you’re practically buzzing with forbidden fermentation knowledge (because you read Kombucha Brewing 101 like a true scholar). Your brain is full of tangy facts, biblical SCOBY lore, and a burning desire to brew.
…Or is it?
Because if you’re sitting there, blinking at your empty counter like, “Wait, do I need a cauldron or something?”—don’t worry. We’re coming to the rescue.
We’ve taken the oath—to guard SCOBYs from your reckless whims.
Kombucha Tools of Glory
Whether you're a bright-eyed beginner or a battle-hardened brewer, every booch warrior needs their gear. From the bare essentials to the nice-to-haves, this is your kombucha starter kit checklist—the tools of the trade for brewing greatness.
Even if you've brewed before, you might find a shiny new upgrade for your fermentation arsenal.
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You can also check out our full shopping list on Amazon right here: View Full List
The Essentials
• 1-Gallon Wide-Mouth Glass Jar – A wide mouth means better airflow and easier SCOBY handling.
Want a basic jar? This two-pack is a great deal and comes with lids.
Want pouring convenience? Grab this one with a spigot—future you will build a shrine in your honor.
• 1 Cotton Sheet – Your kombucha needs to breathe, but not catch flies. A clean piece of cotton cloth acts as a breathable forcefield (aka kombucha security blanket). Any old bed sheet will do, just make sure it's clean!
• 1 Bungee Cord – Keeps your cloth cover secure and defends against rogue kitchen gusts (or curious cats). Grab a roll here or use a Rubber Band if you're feeling rustic.
• 1 Stainless Steel Pot – Where the magic starts. Use it to brew your tea and dissolve sugar like a true alchemist. Use what you have, but make sure it's stainless steel. Aluminum is the enemy. This one is great for 1-gallon brewers
• 1 Strainer – Loose tea in your final brew? Nope. Unless you’re brewing for added fiber, strain it out. Here is a solid three pack.
• 1 Food Thermometer – Your tea may look harmless, but if it’s too hot, it can wipe out an entire SCOBY civilization in a single, steamy blow. Check the temp in style with this one.
• 1 Set Measuring Cup and Spoons – If you’re loyal to the old ways and scoff at digital scales, you’ll at least need a trusty measuring set. Honor tradition—treat yourself to a nice one here.
• White Vinegar – For sterilizing all your gear. Keeps things clean, safe, and smells like you mean business. Grab a gallon jug next time you're at the grocery store.
• 1 bottle of raw, unfiltered kombucha or 1 pellicle – You need the SCOBY to get your brew going. Whether you're adopting a blob here or using starter liquid, we’ve got tips below.
• Tea – Sure, any black or green tea will do the job. BUT if you want magical kombucha—the kind that makes your taste buds sing and your SCOBY write poetry—you might want to check out our tea blends here.
They're made specifically for flavoring kombucha as it's fermenting—no fruit required. Call it a brewing hack. Call it tea alchemy. We call it a good idea.
Nice-to-Haves (Cheap and Highly Recommended)
Not strictly necessary, but these make your life—and your brew—so much easier. Let’s be honest—you’re not paying off those student loans this decade. Might as well upgrade your brew setup.
• Electric Kettle with Temp Control – Perfect tea temp, every time. Runs about $30, and honestly? It’s self-care. Here is our pick. Prefer something cheaper? Try this one
• 1 Food Scale – Because eyeballing sugar and tea is a crime against kombucha. This one is accurate and cheap.
• Sticker thermometer – Cheap and stays on your jar indefinitely Lets you monitor the temperature without any fuss. Won’t sell your data to Big Data™. Grab one here
• Heat Mat – Keeps your SCOBY cozy and prevents those temperature swings that can turn “funky” into “what died in my jar?” About $12. Worth every penny
• Deluxe Heat Mat – Replaces the thermometer and basic heat mat above. This one heats, monitors temp, has a controller, and even a timer. Let your SCOBY feel like it's living in the year 3025.
• Dish Towel – If you’re using a heat mat, put this between the mat and the jar. Kombucha likes warmth—not a sauna. Use what you already have, or If you've been living like an animal pick up a pack here
Planning to carbonate?
Plan ahead! Check out our Carbonation Guide for everything you’ll need when it’s time to get fizzy.
Choosing Your Brewing Method (and Not Ruining Everything Immediately)
If you recall from Kombucha Brewing 101, we made a very big deal out of the difference between the SCOBY, the pellicle, and the starter liquid. Why? Because we love you. And because it actually matters now.
Here’s the sparknotes:
The starter liquid is where 99% of the fermentation magic lives, which contains the SCOBY. The pellicle—aka the slimy pancake on top—contains a bit of SCOBY too, since it’s in contact with the liquid, but it's more bodyguard than mastermind.
We didn’t put you through that SCOBY anatomy lesson just to be dramatic (okay, maybe a little). We did it because different brewing methods rely on different parts of the culture.
Two paths lie before you: Batch brewing—a clean reset powered by starter liquid alone. And Continuous brewing—an eternal booch buffet fueled by a seasoned pellicle. It’s been through a few winters… and it’s seen things.
Batch Brewing
Are you new to brewing?
Do you lack a pellicle?
Are you tragically friendless and unable to acquire a pellicle from a trusted source?
Is your entire brewing setup just a rusty bucket and some misplaced optimism?
Results:
If you answered yes to any of the above—congratulations!
You’re starting from scratch, which means Batch Brewing is your destiny.
It’s scrappy. It’s self-made. It’s giving kombucha pioneer energy. Batch brewing is the humble path of those starting from nothing. You don’t need connections. You don’t need hand-me-down pellicles. You can grow your own—with nothing but a grocery store run and our Batch Brew Guide.
Don’t want to grow your own SCOBY? No problem. We live in the future, baby. You can order a pellicle online and have it delivered to your doorstep in two business days. Instant blob, instant gratification. Buy one here.
Continuous Brewing
Do you already have a hearty, seasoned pellicle that’s survived more than one home brew experiment?
Are you the type who automates your lights, your cat’s meals, and your sense of purpose?
Do you dream of a kombucha setup that basically runs itself while you do literally anything else?
Results:
If you answered yes to any of the above, you’re ready for Continuous Brewing—the hands-off, high-efficiency method for the domesticated brewing warrior.
It’s reliable. Low maintenance. Practically self-sustaining. Your pellicle has matured into a resilient, gelatinous queen. She’s ready to carry the weight. You just need to keep the tea coming.
You’ve Come This Far… Now Boil the Water
You’ve got the gear. You’ve chosen your brewing path. We carried you to the gates of Mordor. The rest is up to you.
Yes, we said brewing is easy. And yes, we’ve just fire-hosed you with a suspicious amount of information. Feeling overwhelmed? Good. That means you care. But truly—this isn’t as complicated as it seems.
To make things simple, we split our guides into two separate paths: one for Batch Brewing, one for Continuous. No fluff. No confusion. Just the exact steps you need, based on the method you chose.
Think of it like a choose-your-own-adventure story—except instead of eradicating ancient evil, you’ll be washing a sink full of dishes.
Pick your path. Click a button. Begin your brew.
Don't forget the check out the rest of our 📜 sacred brew texts:
