Would there be problems cutting 5 gal batches

[chrismcdaniel3128]

Hello new to the all grain and was wondering if there would be a problem cutting the 5 gallon recipes down to 2.5 gallons or even 2 gallons. The reason would be to try multiple recipes wo waisting so much if the batch didnt turn out so hot.

 

[ChandlerBang]

You can make any batch size you want as long as you scale all of the ingredients correctly. Lots of people here brew 2 or 2.5 gallon batches.

 

[chrismcdaniel3128]

Thanks I just hadn't seen any posts on the smaller batch sizes

 

[lumpher]

scale them down by ingredients same as the size. if you scale down the batch by 2/3, scale down the recipe by 2/3

 

[msa8967]

Have you thought about whether or not you want to change the size of your fermentor in order to accomodate a smaller batch size or to have more fermentor going? I have been scaling many of my 5 gallon recipes down to either 2 or 3 gallons. I went to a local bakery shop and was able to bring home some white food grade plastic buckets that were used to hold icing. These are usually about 3-3.5 gallons in size which is great for 2-2.5 gallon size brews. For 3-4 gallon size batchs I use plastic food grade buckets from Walmart that cost $3.50 including lids. The buckets have a maximum of 5 gallon volume capacity which leaves room for the needed head space.

This may not really answer your initial question but I thought I would mention it because I was doing the same thing 2 years ago wanting to try a wider variety of recipes.

 

[mr_bell]

Definitely possible and makes sense depending on your objective. I did my 1st (and only so far, though that will change soon) all grain batch as a 2.5 gallon "brew-in-a-bag" batch on the stove top. Fermented in a 4 gal. plastic home depot water bottle. Bottling today!

 

[DemonIAm]

What if your all grain recipe came pre-mixed, and ground? Should I try doing both halves separately, and combining in the fermenter? I don't really have the tools for all-grain, and had not planned on getting them until I finish my keg conversions, which won't be for a long time.

 

[Golddiggie]

What if your all grain recipe came pre-mixed, and ground? Should I try doing both halves separately, and combining in the fermenter? I don't really have the tools for all-grain, and had not planned on getting them until I finish my keg conversions, which won't be for a long time.

Better to combine them for the boil than to try in the fermenter... You'll need to seriously watch the boil-off rate/amount if you do the boil in two pots, since it will be different than when combined. Typically a 32-40 quart pot will work with almost any 5 gallon batch pre-boil volume...