m_f
Well-Known Member
Hi folks!
I've been reading a bit about homebrewing now, including lurking at this site. By now I am ready to start brewing, but I have a couple of questions.
First my ideas:
I've decided that I'll start with 2.5 gal all extract batches. This is roughly half of most of the recipes I've read. I'm partial to this, so I can experiment more, brew more often and gain confidence.
I'll start with a one stage fermentation (+bottle conditioning) for the first couples of batches and then I'll incorporate a secondary. I'll keep away from kits (both for equipement and ingredients), so I have put together a list of equipement to buy this week.
For the primary I am thinking to use a 3.5 gal bucket, but I am having hard time finding it in the stores in my area (still have to check a couple of food and general stores). I do have a brewing supply store pretty close, so I am planning to get most of my stuff from there, except the fermenter.
Now here are the questions:
1) Fermenter: As a last resource: would a 5 gal bucket be too big for the primary? (remember: 2.5 gal is the batch vol.). Anything I should do different?
2) Is there any other inexpensive container that could be used as a primary for a smaller-than-usual batch? (example: at meijer I've seen some plastic water containers that are 2.5 to 3 gal, but don't know about O2 permeability and stuff)
thanks to you all in advance!!!
m_f
I've been reading a bit about homebrewing now, including lurking at this site. By now I am ready to start brewing, but I have a couple of questions.
First my ideas:
I've decided that I'll start with 2.5 gal all extract batches. This is roughly half of most of the recipes I've read. I'm partial to this, so I can experiment more, brew more often and gain confidence.
I'll start with a one stage fermentation (+bottle conditioning) for the first couples of batches and then I'll incorporate a secondary. I'll keep away from kits (both for equipement and ingredients), so I have put together a list of equipement to buy this week.
For the primary I am thinking to use a 3.5 gal bucket, but I am having hard time finding it in the stores in my area (still have to check a couple of food and general stores). I do have a brewing supply store pretty close, so I am planning to get most of my stuff from there, except the fermenter.
Now here are the questions:
1) Fermenter: As a last resource: would a 5 gal bucket be too big for the primary? (remember: 2.5 gal is the batch vol.). Anything I should do different?
2) Is there any other inexpensive container that could be used as a primary for a smaller-than-usual batch? (example: at meijer I've seen some plastic water containers that are 2.5 to 3 gal, but don't know about O2 permeability and stuff)
thanks to you all in advance!!!
m_f