After being interested in cheesemaking for a while, this site and other informative places on the internet have finally pushed me over the edge. I’m really liking the Deluxe Beginners Kit from Leeners’. Part of the appeal is that it will let me make several different varieties without having to order more stuff. I plan on taking it slow, though. Do any of you guys know a better “deluxe” kit than this one? If any of you have bought this particular kit, how do you like it?

Thanks for the great forum!

I’ve only been making cheese for a few months, but I can’t help you on kits.  I’ve never used one.  I bought Ricki Carrol’s book and after some study there and on the web, I ordered supplies and plunged in.  My advice is to do whatever you’re most comfortable with.  If you’ve read some of the past entries on this forum you’ll know that mistakes happen to us all - but they’re all edible mistakes.

BTW, its good to have you aboard.  Let us know how you proceed.

Were are u located?
looking at what u get, hmmm, I thingk it would be cheaper to get the ingred seperatly, I supplier will have all the ingred. The press is the only thing u will need to decide what to do, some how I dont thingk the one thay have will be that good, no pic included in the list.

I got the Deluxe Kit from Leeners when I started about 8 months ago. I’m glad i got it. I thought about buying everything individually at first but since I didn’t know much about cheesemaking, I figured I’d go with the kit. I think it’s worth a little extra money….

Iowa cheese maker - 24 July 2008 08:55 PM

I got the Deluxe Kit from Leeners when I started about 8 months ago. I’m glad i got it. I thought about buying everything individually at first but since I didn’t know much about cheesemaking, I figured I’d go with the kit. I think it’s worth a little extra money….

Me too. 

Shortly thereafter I ordered the bacterium to make Blue and Swiss and more CA CL as well as another Mesophilic (either M or A whichever the kit doesn’t have).

Bottom line is- with the kits you can make many many cheeses and it’s a good way to get started.

I am a homebrewer too and I started with a kit, they are great ways to make you immediately productive.

I went with their kit as well.  Not at all disappointed.  But then, I had to buy other ingredients as well.  I haven’t made a batch in a while, so I think that the first rainy weekend we have I will be making the Caerphilly I have been putting off.  Have a great weekend all.