Working calculators
Honey to Water Ratio CalculatorCalculate honey weight for your target ABV. Yeast Nutrient (YAN) CalculatorRight nutrient for healthy mead fermentation.Plain note about money: Some links are affiliate (eBay Partner Network). Small commission, doesn't change your price.
Gear actually worth buying
Top picks for mead making. We earn a small commission on eBay purchases — here's how that works.
Airlocks + bungsThree-piece airlocks are easiest to clean. Match bung size to your carboy neck — measure first.
Lalvin wine yeastEC-1118 for high-ABV or dry meads; 71B for fruit meads and traditional. Cheap per packet.
Glass hydrometerEssential for tracking fermentation progress and calculating final ABV. Get a test tube too.
Glass carboys (1-gallon)1-gallon batches are the right scale for experimenting. Glass cleans easier than plastic long-term.
Campden tabletsPotassium metabisulfite — sanitize must, stop fermentation, prevent oxidation. One tablet per gallon.