As the industry continues to face challenges, used equipment is more available than ever.
Of course, there are pros and cons to buying used and Brewer got insights from a few cideries to share their insights.
Sometimes buying new is the only way to go, but knowing what used pieces of equipment can be OK to grab on the market can help save on costs as well.
“In my experience, word of mouth and vouching for things in the industry is safer than buying things online or at auctions because you never know what you’re getting if you don’t know the seller,” points out Bivouac Cider’s Lara Worm. “Buying things from reputable used equipment vendors is also pretty safe and can sometimes come with a warranty, or at least someone that can help you learn about the equipment.”
John Knisley of Tallgrass Cider added that online sites, like Pro Brewer, can help find such used pieces, but word of mouth from people you know, or friends of friends can help greatly.
“It depends on what you are looking for and you have to consider shipping costs,” he added. “If you can find it locally or regionally, word of mouth works typically. If it’s more specialized — like a bottler — you may be better off looking online.”
Cost is a main advantage to buying used equipment, but Worm added that the environmental aspect is something to consider as well since it’s reusing something instead of creating more equipment and being able to help another company recoup any losses.
Inspecting Used Equipment
If the equipment is something across the country from you, Knisley says if he can’t inspect it physically, he’d rather have a longer conversation with the seller.
“This requires you to know a little about the piece you are looking at and how it normally functions,” he said, adding that using online tools, like watching YouTube videos or talking with someone locally who has the piece can help educate you before the purchase.
“The amount of vetting you do is correlated to how expensive the item is,” Worm said.
Service & Parts
Part of the tradeoff of buying used is having to find new ways to get service or pieces and parts that may need maintenance.
Knisley said that Tallgrass uses an old Meheen filler and can get many of the parts needed from Wild Goose now that they have an online parts shop, but the company will not offer service information since they have an outdated machine.
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“People with specialized skills in fixing machines are often super expensive and not that nice,” Worm said. “I find it hard to trust so many service people. The way I measure trust in a service professional: if they are willing to teach me how to maintain something, fix something, or troubleshoot, so I can fix problems on my own without costing a fortune, I generally think that is a measure of an ethical person.
“Then when I have a real issue that I cannot solve on my own, I always call that person, because I know they are not trying to take advantage of me.”
Better to Buy New?
“All equipment is ok to buy new if it’s a trusted seller in my opinion,” Knisley said, although he did say that kegs are the only thing he would question not buying new as it can be difficult to inspect each one, especially if you aren’t able to physically view them one by one.
Refrigeration units, like glycol, kitchen equipment, kegerators, and such, Worm said many will highly recommend purchasing new. That’s especially true if you don’t know the age of the equipment, she noted.
“The machines are so fickle and they are making things with less quality now, so you’re lucky if refrigeration lasts five years,” she said. “Glycol systems are super expensive, so if you can find a certified reseller and they have warrantied a product and it fits your needs, that’s obviously the way to go.
“But the perfect used item coming along at the right time can be rare.”
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