Best SCOBY Hotels for Kombucha 2025

We analyzed top picks from leading reviewers to find the best SCOBY hotels for every need
Published: March 1st, 2024

🏨If you're into brewing kombucha, having a good SCOBY hotel is a must. It's like a little sanctuary for your extra SCOBYs, keeping them safe and ready for your next batch.

After diving into a ton of recommendations from experts, we pulled together a list of the best SCOBY hotels to fit different needs and budgets.

Whether you're just getting started or have been brewing for years, these picks will help you maintain healthy cultures and keep your kombucha game strong.

🥇
Overall Best: Fermentation Creation Kombucha Brewing Kit

The Fermentation Creation Kombucha Brewing Kit tops our list because it offers the ideal setup for a SCOBY hotel within a perfect-sized jar. It’s especially great for beginners, providing all the essential tools and ingredients needed to kickstart your brewing journey. The kit makes it easy to set up and maintain a SCOBY hotel, ensuring your cultures thrive and produce consistent results in your homebrewed kombucha. According to our research, users appreciate its comprehensive nature and reliable outcomes.

Lowest at any Popular Retailer
$103.99 at Target

🥈
Runner-up: GROVE Kombucha Brewer

Kombucha Complete Starter Kit Include 2 Glass Kombucha Jars with Dispensing Valve 1 Gallon Kombucha Brewing Jar 2 Elastic Cloth Covers 6 Temperature Strip for DIY Kombucha Fermentation

The GROVE Kombucha Brewer stands out as a great runner-up. Its sleek design combined with a built-in heater ensures optimal fermentation temperatures, making it perfect for those in cooler climates. The consistent environment provided by the heating feature is crucial for the health of your SCOBYs. We've found that users enjoy its reliable performance and stylish look, making it a solid choice for maintaining a SCOBY hotel.

Lowest at any Popular Retailer
$36.99 at Amazon

More Answers

Still curious about the Kombucha Complete Starter Kit? Here are some answers you might find interesting:

💧
Does the Ziliny Kombucha kit have issues with leaking or broken jars?
The Ziliny Kombucha Complete Starter Kit seems to be a pretty decent choice for home kombucha brewing, featuring two one-gallon glass jars with dispensing valves. Based on our research, opinions on the durability of the spigots are mixed. Some people are okay with the plastic material, but others have run into leaks, so switching to sturdier [stainless steel spigots](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3Dstainless%2Bsteel%2Bspigots%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) could be a good idea if that's something you care about. The kit also comes with elastic cloth covers and temperature strips. The covers help keep out unwanted contaminants while letting air in, and the temperature strips help you keep an eye on the brewing conditions. But keep in mind, the manufacturer notes that the temperature strips are disposable, so you'll have to replace them more often than you might like. As for packaging, it seems to be hit or miss. Some have reported receiving broken or chipped jars, which is likely due to not enough protection during shipping. Better packaging could probably help with that. On the upside, many people seem happy with the thickness and quality of the jars once they arrive in one piece. And if you like to experiment, the kit isn't just limited to kombucha. According to the manufacturer, you can explore brewing a variety of beverages with it. So while there are some areas that could be improved, especially with the spigots and packaging, the key parts of the kit seem to be pretty solid. If you’re thinking about getting this kit, it might be wise to look into feedback specifically related to these points to see how they might affect your experience.

💸
Budget Pick: DIY Large Glass Jar

1 Gallon Large Glass Cookie jar with Airtight Acacia lids - Thicken Big Food Storage Containers with 42 Kitchen Waterproof Pantry Labels Preprinted - Clear Glass Canister for Flour, Rice, Coffee

For those on a budget, a DIY Large Glass Jar can serve as an effective SCOBY hotel. This option offers customization, as you can choose the size and style to meet your specific needs without incurring high costs. All you need is a clean glass jar, sweet tea, and a breathable cloth cover. We found that many homebrewers find this simple setup effective and budget-friendly, providing a reliable environment for storing extra SCOBYs.

Available at Amazon
View at Amazon

More Answers

Still curious about the Large Glass Cookie Jar with Airtight Acacia Lid? Here are some answers you might find interesting:

Best for Multiple SCOBYs: Home Brew Stuff SCOBY Hotel

1 Gallon Glass Wide Mouth Airtight Lids Mason Jar SCOBY Hotel Home Brewing and Fermenting Kit with Cotton Cloth Filter, Rubber Band 2 Jars

The Home Brew Stuff SCOBY Hotel is perfect for established brewers who need to store multiple SCOBYs simultaneously. It can accommodate several cultures, making it ideal for those managing multiple batches. According to our research, it ensures that your SCOBYs have ample space to stay healthy and ready for future use. Users appreciate its capacity and convenience, making it a go-to for serious brewers.

Lowest at any Popular Retailer
$29.99 at Amazon

More Answers

Still curious about the 1 Gallon Glass Mason Jar? Here are some answers you might find interesting:

🍶
Are the kitchentoolz 1 Gallon Glass Wide Mouth Mason Jars good for brewing kombucha?
If you're thinking about using the kitchentoolz 1 Gallon Glass Wide Mouth Mason Jars for brewing kombucha, it seems like a pretty solid option. From what we found, these jars are great for home brewing and fermenting tasks, including kombucha. They have a nice 1-gallon capacity and a wide mouth, which makes the whole brewing process smoother. Plus, since they're made of glass, you don't have to worry about any BPA or weird chemicals messing with your kombucha's taste. Many folks have had positive experiences with these jars. They work well for keeping your kombucha supply going and even for setting up a SCOBY hotel. They also come with handy extras like cheesecloth and rubber bands, though we've noticed that some people mentioned the cheesecloth is a bit thin and the rubber bands aren't always a perfect fit, so you might want to keep some spares around just in case. There are a couple of things to keep an eye on, though. We've heard some reports of the jars arriving broken, so definitely check them out when they arrive. Also, a few people have mentioned that the jar's capacity is slightly less than a full gallon, at around 14 cups, which could be a deal-breaker if your recipe needs exactly a gallon. Overall, these jars seem to be a reliable choice for brewing kombucha at home. They strike a nice balance between being functional and convenient, especially with the wide-mouth design and glass material. If you're looking to kick off or enhance your home brewing setup, these jars might just do the trick.

Best for Consistent Temperature: Complete Kombucha Kit + Heat Wrap + Bottling Kit

The Complete Kombucha Kit + Heat Wrap + Bottling Kit is designed for brewers who want to maintain consistent fermentation temperatures. This comprehensive kit includes a heat wrap, crucial for the health of your SCOBYs, especially in fluctuating temperatures. It’s an excellent pick for those looking to start their kombucha journey with the added assurance of temperature control. Users report that the kit’s thoroughness and temperature consistency make it a favorite for maintaining a SCOBY hotel.

Lowest at any Popular Retailer
$89.99 at Amazon
Get ShopSavvy
ShopSavvy is totally free and works on all popular phones and browsers
Download ShopSavvy App

Compare prices for anything in real-time, set price alerts, watch for deals by keyword, and much more

Install ShopSavvy Browser Extension

Compare and track prices automatically while you shop online at thousands of websites.

🥇 ShopSavvy Best Picks
Expert recommendations for the best overall, budget, and specialized product picks.
Our researchers bring you our top recommendations. Each article usually highlights the best overall choice, a budget-friendly option, and picks for specific needs, helping you shop smarter and with confidence.

© 2025 Monolith Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved..