Periodically you'll need to run a pipe cleaner through the spigot, or use a CB brewer with the spigot toward the middle of the brewer rather than at the bottom.

About 5 weeks ago, I tried starting a SCOBY from GT's store-bought unflavored kombucha. 4 weeks later (it takes a long time in upstate NY in WINTER!) I took my SCOBY and started a batch of kombucha. It's been 7 days, the SCOBY is brewing away, making a baby, and having a fine time. In the meantime, since I just couldn't wait - I bought more kombucha. When I opened one of the bottles, a tiny SCOBY floated up to the top and said hello! So, I got out my quart jar and started another batch in order to have a back-up SCOBY. The 2nd time, I used the kombucha from my original starter jar. It had become very sour. The newest SCOBY is taking off like a rocket! It really loves my homebrew! I would say not to give up on trying to start a SCOBY from purchased kombucha. It took 4 weeks, not 12, and we're all having a lot of fun with this experiment! (PS - that heat wrap? It's heat tape used for reptile enclosures, and sells for ~$2.00 per foot online. I've been using my dehydrator as a heat source. Thinking of getting some heat tape instead.)

Ultraviolet light sterilizes. Natural sunlight, even coming through your windows, contains UVA & UVB unless your windows are coated. Since you're growing bacteria & yeast, avoid allowing your kombucha to come into contact with anything that sterilizes.

Nope! Not true! One of the many, many myths of kombucha. Glass works fine.

Jenny,
I have read that it must brew in darker conditions and that's why containers that are not glass are good...is this not true? Does your glass container work just fine in the open? Or do you cover the whole thing with a cloth to keep it darker? Or is it in a dark place always? Please reply as I'd like to order something soon but need to know if glass is fine. Thanks, anita