All grain brew help
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You probably will not be able to do anything larger than a 2 gallon batch depending on the beer.
You could probably do like a 2-2.5 gallon batch. Depending on boil off amount in your pot, you could aim for 3-3.25 gallons of wort after your mash which would give you roughly 2-2.5 gallons of wort after your boil is complete. It could be done.
Brew In A Bag may get you more yield but not sure.
Brew In A Bag may get you more yield but not sure.
chris_the_goat
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I agree. And get foam control drops! With that size kettle, the absolute max size starting boil volume I would do is about 3 gallons. Depending on your boil off rate you would get 2-2.5 gallons in the fermenter. Be really cautious of boil overs.
i do 2.5 gal with a 5 gal pot and 5 gal cooler. the boil is the hardest part, always have boil overs and have to watch it carefully the entire boil. I am upgrading my pot because i am tired of having to watch it so closely
The 5 gallon cooler should be able to hold 12 lbs of grain and 3 1/4 gallons of water (see the Green Bay rackers "Can I Mash it" calculator here:https://www.rackers.org/calcs.shtml) so you could do alright with 1 or 2 batch sparges to get your starting volume but your real limitation is that 4 gallon kettle....
You'd probably want an 8 gallon kettle minimum... 10 preferably... for 5 gallon batches...
If you're OK with Aluminum for a boil kettle, you can find some decent 10-15 gallon kettles in the $30-40 if you do a little sleuthing on-line. I got one like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X1MG1M/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
from Staples (the office supply store) for $25 after coupon w/ free shipping, a couple years ago. You just gotta poke around online and sieze the moment when it appears.
If you'd rather go stainless, the bare-bones 40 qt bayou classic is only about $60 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MIA5OQK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
While the slight nicer 42 qt Aluminum set is only about $65 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000BXHL3/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
You'd probably want an 8 gallon kettle minimum... 10 preferably... for 5 gallon batches...
If you're OK with Aluminum for a boil kettle, you can find some decent 10-15 gallon kettles in the $30-40 if you do a little sleuthing on-line. I got one like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X1MG1M/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
from Staples (the office supply store) for $25 after coupon w/ free shipping, a couple years ago. You just gotta poke around online and sieze the moment when it appears.
If you'd rather go stainless, the bare-bones 40 qt bayou classic is only about $60 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MIA5OQK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
While the slight nicer 42 qt Aluminum set is only about $65 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000BXHL3/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
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Dude! I appreciate all the input!
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Biscuits
Well-Known Member
I think with the kettle size you are limited to smaller batches. You could produce moderate gravity beers, like normal, with a 5 gallon cooler and an 8-10 gallon kettle. The other option is to add DME or LME to get your 2.5 to 3 gallons of wort up to a high gravity and then top up to 5 gallons with water...but it wouldn't be pure all grain.
As mentioned above, the kettle size is what is limiting you here. If you started that kettle totally full, you'd end up with about 2 or 2.5 gallons of wort in your fermenter.
Don't forget, a larger batch with a larger pot also needs a more powerful heating source. If you're using the kitchen stove, you may not be able to boil 7-8 gallons of wort, or it may take sheer forever to get it to boil, even with the lid on, partially.
Kettle wise, if you want 5 gallons of beer in the end, a corney keg's worth, you need at least 5.5-6 gallons in the fermentor, which means 6-6.5 gallons after the boil, and 7-7.5 gallons pre-boil.
A 10 gallon kettle will give you all the extra headspace you'd need for those size batches. I have an 8 gallon kettle and it can be a bit tight, although there are simple ways to get it to work fine. Like not adding all of the 3rd runnings to the kettle at the beginning of the boil, but top up after 15, 30 and 45 minutes. Or boil part of the wort in a separate pot along with the big one, combine at the end.
Extend that last idea, and another simple approach would be to boil in 2 (smaller) pots, over 2 heat sources.
Kettle wise, if you want 5 gallons of beer in the end, a corney keg's worth, you need at least 5.5-6 gallons in the fermentor, which means 6-6.5 gallons after the boil, and 7-7.5 gallons pre-boil.
A 10 gallon kettle will give you all the extra headspace you'd need for those size batches. I have an 8 gallon kettle and it can be a bit tight, although there are simple ways to get it to work fine. Like not adding all of the 3rd runnings to the kettle at the beginning of the boil, but top up after 15, 30 and 45 minutes. Or boil part of the wort in a separate pot along with the big one, combine at the end.
Extend that last idea, and another simple approach would be to boil in 2 (smaller) pots, over 2 heat sources.
estricklin
Well-Known Member
You are not limited to smaller batches with the 5 gallon cooler at all, you may not be able to do some higher gravity beers with it though. I would say anything above 1.070 is going to be tricky, generally speaking.
As for your 4 gallon boil kettle, you can do 5 gallon+ batches by either adding some extract and extra water at the end, or by using extra grain and top off water. I have been brewing a LOT this year with a 5 gallon cooler and a 4 gallon pot inside the house because I have a baby to watch on the weekends now. I split the wort between my 4 gallon pot, (used to use it for extract) and a 2.5 gallon that I had laying around for cooking. I cool the pots in the sink with an ice water bath, (always covered with a lid during cooling) and I make my own ice.
I have a nice 25 gallon setup outside in the shop, but sometimes you just gotta do what ya gotta do to brew!
As for your 4 gallon boil kettle, you can do 5 gallon+ batches by either adding some extract and extra water at the end, or by using extra grain and top off water. I have been brewing a LOT this year with a 5 gallon cooler and a 4 gallon pot inside the house because I have a baby to watch on the weekends now. I split the wort between my 4 gallon pot, (used to use it for extract) and a 2.5 gallon that I had laying around for cooking. I cool the pots in the sink with an ice water bath, (always covered with a lid during cooling) and I make my own ice.
I have a nice 25 gallon setup outside in the shop, but sometimes you just gotta do what ya gotta do to brew!
Yup!
But you could/should mash the whole recipe together. Just divide the runnings over 2 pots, or a pot and a holding bucket. Saves an hour right there.
Look on Craigslist or so for used brewing equipment to score a larger or 2nd kettle. I see kettles, burners and other useful brew stuff all the time.
Or brew half batches, you'll get more variety. Do them back to back so you only have one cleanup. Mash the 2nd while the first is boiling. So many ways to scratch the urge for beer.
Or brew half batches, you'll get more variety. Do them back to back so you only have one cleanup. Mash the 2nd while the first is boiling. So many ways to scratch the urge for beer.
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