Just wondering, in the past I have always brewed with extract, and have just topped of my fermenter to a full 5 gallons. Is it possible to do this with all grain brewing? If so I am going to need a bigger pot.
cheers!!
cheers!!
Is it ok to top off a fermenter with water for All-grain brewing?
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zachattack
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It's possible, but it'll lead to lower mash/sparge efficiency since you'll have less water to rinse the grain with, and you'll lose all the positive effects of a full boil.
You'll want at least a 10 gallon pot to do 5 gallon AG batches, you'll most likely start with 6-7 gallons in the kettle. If that's not possible with your system, consider doing smaller batches!
You'll want at least a 10 gallon pot to do 5 gallon AG batches, you'll most likely start with 6-7 gallons in the kettle. If that's not possible with your system, consider doing smaller batches!
Wonderful! Great news 
!! I will hopefully try the 5 gallon batch this weekend and will post to the forums how it went. How would I go about making my wort extra strong? Would I let them mash for longer?
!! I will hopefully try the 5 gallon batch this weekend and will post to the forums how it went. How would I go about making my wort extra strong? Would I let them mash for longer?william_shakes_beer
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I am transitioning from extract to AG. Presently have done 2 PM batches, BIAB. Still using my 7.5 gallon turkey fryer, so I don't have the ability to do a full boil. I just measure the SG and present volume of the wort at the start of the boil, then plug it into a formula that tells me what my SG will be after top off. Allows me to add extract to the part boil to account for the top off and hit my SG into the fermenter correctly.
Why can't you do a full boil? I do in mine. Really have to watch for a boil over at hot break and watch how high your burner is cranked so you don't boil off too much. I start with about 6 1/2 gallons and end with 5 1/2 or so.
PorterIdontknowher
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Agreed... and Fermcap is your friend here... I haven't come close to a boilover since I started using it...
A 6 to 7 1/2 gallon pot is good for AG. That's what a lot of turkey fryer pots are. 10 is nice and will give you more room to work with.
That's if you are doing typical 5 gallon batches. No rule says you have to.
You can top off in AG, but it's best to get as close as you can to your target wort quantity with actual wort. All that water you're running through the grain is how you're getting your fermentables out of the grain.
That's if you are doing typical 5 gallon batches. No rule says you have to.
You can top off in AG, but it's best to get as close as you can to your target wort quantity with actual wort. All that water you're running through the grain is how you're getting your fermentables out of the grain.
jeepinjeepin
Well-Known Member
Do what works for you. If you dilute after the boil you are diluting gravity and bitterness. If you figure your grain and hops for the final volume instead of what you are starting with you will end up pretty close. You will likely get less bitterness because of lower utilization rates in higher gravity worts.
I cut a batch down last night. I'm just trying to crank out a basic base beer for a sour project. 10 gallon pot, started with almost 9 gallons of wort, and put 10 gallons in the fermenters. You do the math.
I cut a batch down last night. I'm just trying to crank out a basic base beer for a sour project. 10 gallon pot, started with almost 9 gallons of wort, and put 10 gallons in the fermenters. You do the math.
