What are some things you've built to help your brewing process?

[half_whit]

Money's been tight lately, so I had to take a little time off from actually brewing. To keep me sane I've been building some things to make life easier, most recently a hop spider. Brewers can be pretty crafty fellows, so I was wondering what else you all have built/invented/rigged up to make brewing easier. Anyone care to share?

 

[billybryson54]

My most useful home-made tool in my opinion is my heat-stick. It's a 1500 water heater element that I have set on a timer so that my strike water is already hot when I wake up in the morning ready to brew. That, and it's also useful for speeding up the boil when I use it in conjunction with my propane burner. I'd be lost without it! Along with that, my stir plate and my own hop spider are my second favorites.

 

[brewmcq]

A brewery. In my basement. Complete with a ferment closet.

 

[finsfan]

Stir plate for sure! havent been brewing long (started in late april) but I see more projects in the future