1-Gallon Brewers UNITE!

[cheesecake]

once i get everything figured out with this mash tun ill work on clarity

 

[Leadgolem]

1/2 tsp of bentonite will clear a lot of things. 1 tsp will usually give you a crystal clear brew, but with subtly flavored stuff can leave a slightly metalic flavor behind.

 

[Mirabotz]

I've done a few one gallon batches before, they are a great way to do side by side comparisons of different ingredients. So usually when I make a one gallon batch I will do 2 or 3 in a day, although once I did six - that was a long day of brewing, but I definitely got a system down. And it's great to have a variety pack so that you can choose what to drink on any given night.

Here's a neat trick that I have found. Go out and by a gallon jug of water (either distilled and add salts or just buy spring water), use that for the boil. After the boil is complete, you can pour the wort back into the jug. The amount of boil-off is about right for the head space during fermentation. Just drill a hole in the cap and fix a cheap aquarium tube with a few rubber bands as a blowoff tube.

If you have a large rectangular cooler that isn't being used as a mash tun, you can add a few inches of cool water and fit up to six jugs in there to ferment. This works really well for fermentation temp control.

THAT'S an AWESOME suggestion! I've been trying to figure out the perfect recipe BEFORE I brew up a Peary for my Wifee so I don't waste all the time and ingredients on a batch-o-crap...Thanks for the Idea!

 

[divrguy]

One thing I also noticed with the small batches is my 5 gallon thin pot vs my bigger 8 gallon and 15 gallon pots is thermal mass of the pot. I noticed my bigger pots obviously held more heat so they would change a lot less over the mash when I BIAB. but the smaller pot is thinner and now that its colder is affected quite a bit more. I will try the oven trick when SWMBO ain't home but I will have to bring out the old mash tun to hold temps during this colder weather.

 

[BigRock947]

One thing I also noticed with the small batches is my 5 gallon thin pot vs my bigger 8 gallon and 15 gallon pots is thermal mass of the pot. I noticed my bigger pots obviously held more heat so they would change a lot less over the mash when I BIAB. but the smaller pot is thinner and now that its colder is affected quite a bit more. I will try the oven trick when SWMBO ain't home but I will have to bring out the old mash tun to hold temps during this colder weather.

I won't disagree that the thickness of the pot can contribute but the amount of water and pounds of grains of 5 gallons vs 1 gallons is probably a huge factor too.

EDIT: My first 1 gallon batch I had a brain fart moment. I tried to brew exactly like do 2.5 gallon or 5 gallon batches. I was having trouble figuring out why my temps weren't holding. Duh. Not the same amount of mass.

 

[cheesecake]

Hopefully with this cooler tun I built it will help hold temps

 

[user 83772]

Speaking of holding temps and such, I did a test boil of 1.5 gallons in my 3 gallon pot (the $9 one from Walmart) yesterday, and noticed that the boil I was able to achieve was pretty weak. According to my digital thermometer the temp was 1-2 degrees shy of boiling for the entire thirty-minute test. How much of a concern is this gonna be, and what (if anything) do I need to do to compensate for it when I actually have wort in the pot? Do I boil longer? Somehow split the boil into two batches and blend afterwards? RDWHAHB? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[cheesecake]

You want a gentle rolling boil so if you achieved that your good

 

[Calichusetts]

Speaking of holding temps and such, I did a test boil of 1.5 gallons in my 3 gallon pot (the $9 one from Walmart) yesterday, and noticed that the boil I was able to achieve was pretty weak. According to my digital thermometer the temp was 1-2 degrees shy of boiling for the entire thirty-minute test. How much of a concern is this gonna be, and what (if anything) do I need to do to compensate for it when I actually have wort in the pot? Do I boil longer? Somehow split the boil into two batches and blend afterwards? RDWHAHB? Inquiring minds want to know!

There is another thread on here called "stovetop brewing tips" or something like that. They have all sorts of tips to make sure you get a boil going...such as wrapping the sides with insulation or tin foil. Try keeping the lid on until you get the boil going. Then take it off

 

[BigRock947]

Speaking of holding temps and such, I did a test boil of 1.5 gallons in my 3 gallon pot (the $9 one from Walmart) yesterday, and noticed that the boil I was able to achieve was pretty weak. According to my digital thermometer the temp was 1-2 degrees shy of boiling for the entire thirty-minute test. How much of a concern is this gonna be, and what (if anything) do I need to do to compensate for it when I actually have wort in the pot? Do I boil longer? Somehow split the boil into two batches and blend afterwards? RDWHAHB? Inquiring minds want to know!

There is another thread on here called "stovetop brewing tips" or something like that. They have all sorts of tips to make sure you get a boil going...such as wrapping the sides with insulation or tin foil. Try keeping the lid on until you get the boil going. Then take it off

These tips will help. I subscribe to the Charlie Papazian theory of beer making " A good rolling boil would be best but a weak boil will still make beer so RDWHAHB"

 

[divrguy]

I won't disagree that the thickness of the pot can contribute but the amount of water and pounds of grains of 5 gallons vs 1 gallons is probably a huge factor too.

EDIT: My first 1 gallon batch I had a brain fart moment. I tried to brew exactly like do 2.5 gallon or 5 gallon batches. I was having trouble figuring out why my temps weren't holding. Duh. Not the same amount of mass.

That's a good point too.... Lol I never thought about the amount of water I just had a duh moment!

 

[divrguy]

Another good thing just happened as a result of my small batches lately. Brewed a new CDA recipe and found it was a little too harsh so I'm going to change it up. Only had a few bottles to worry about. Also did a test SMASH of HBC342 and I really can't see this hop in any of my beers yet. So, again I don't have to worry too much. I did a farmhouse ale small batch and it was frigging fantastic! it was grapefruit deliciousness citrusy, just enough bitter man it was great so I gotta get going on a bigger batch of that!

 

[jwalk4]

Okay gang, I'm looking for some opinions on what to do about bottling my IPA tomorrow.

Its been 3 1/2 weeks in the primary and pretty clear. Lately, my bottles haven't been carbing up like I've wanted. Mostly because the hottest point in the house right now is 67F (a little low, I know), so they are just taking a little longer than 4 weeks.

With this batch, along with the priming sugar, I was thinking about throwing in some fresh yeast (like a gram or so) just to make sure I get a healthy carb and let it sit for 4 weeks or more. Or, should I just be patient?

 

[bleme]

I vote for patience.

Also, to top of the fridge is usually the warmest place in the house.

 

[cheesecake]

Im all for waiting....I find my bathroom is the warmest place if i want some thing to be carbed faster i put a 6 pack in the vanity for a couple weeks

 

[jwalk4]

Okay, thanks for the input!

 

[jkingery79]

I brewed an Irish red yesterday with the wife's help since I can't lift right now. The airlock had a few bubbles last night before bedtime. Wake up this morning and I see my first blowout! Had to quickly set up my extra airlock as a blow off. I can hear the bucket glurging along nicely now.

 

[rawkstar320]

Brewed a one gallon batch of blonde ale that I rally liked a few months back, so since I have this empty Mr Beer keg just sitting there I'm brewing a 2 gallon batch! This will be a change of pace cause I hasn't brewed anything bigger than one gallon yet. (Mr beer recipes don't count). I should have pics up on my blog soon.

 

[wmarkw]

Can anyone tell me if Centennial and Willamette work well together? Doing a 1 gallon batch and want to use some open hops. I also have Styrian G and Northern Brewer and Columbus open as well if those work better? Thanks.

2.4 lbsAmerican 2-row
0.35 lbs2-Row Caramel Malt 40L
0.2 lbsVienna Malt
0.2 ozCentennial - boiled 60 min
0.1 ozCentennial - boiled 30 min
0.2 oz Willamette -boiled 15 min
0.1 oz Willamette -boiled 5 mins

S-04 yeast

 

[cheesecake]

I would switch the hops up. use the Willamette earlier and the centennial later.

Thats personal preference i love centennial

 

[user 83772]

Two more questions for the brain-trust:

First - how important is mash-out for our one-gallon brews? I have an electric stove, and hitting specific temperature ranges can be tricky. I've read a few things here and there that suggest that holding the original mash temp for the duration is enough, especially for smaller batches but I wanted to get some fresh opinions on the matter.

Also in regards to temperature - the coolest spot in my house that I can find to ferment is right around 72F. Knowing that fermentation can often raise the wort temp up to 5-10 degrees, I'm considering constructing a small swamp cooler. I'm curious to know though approximately how much of a drop in temp I can expect from one, and how long I would need to keep it running. From what I've seen on other threads, higher fermentation temps are only really an issue during the first 3-4 days of fermentation.

And that's it (for now, lol). Thanks again folks!

 

[flipfloptan]

Battlegoat

I dont know if you can get a straight answer on mash out. since i biab i do a mash out because i keep grains in to 170 then take bag out. doesnt add any extra work.

You dont need a big swamp cooler since the volume is only 1 gallon.

The best thing you can do is by a used dorm fridge for ferm chamber.
I can ferment three batches at one time in dorm fridge. i live by two colleges and at the end of a semester you can pick them up cheap.

 

[user 83772]

@flipfloptan: Yeah, I'll be BIAB'ing too. I'm not so much worried about there being an extra step as I am potentially overshooting the mash-out temp and getting into temperatures that can start to pull out undesireable compounds, you know?

As far as swamp cooling vs. dom fridge - unfortunately, I'm brewing in a day or two, and the budget (both money and space) doesn't allow me to pick one up. However, I do have a plastic bin, water, and a fan, which is why I'm curious about the swamp cooler technique. A dorm fridge *may* be in the cards eventually, but for now I'm thinking as small as possible. Thanks for the ideas though. :rockin:

 

[flipfloptan]

@flipfloptan: Yeah, I'll be BIAB'ing too. I'm not so much worried about there being an extra step as I am potentially overshooting the mash-out temp and getting into temperatures that can start to pull out undesireable compounds, you know?

As far as swamp cooling vs. dom fridge - unfortunately, I'm brewing in a day or two, and the budget (both money and space) doesn't allow me to pick one up. However, I do have a plastic bin, water, and a fan, which is why I'm curious about the swamp cooler technique. A dorm fridge *may* be in the cards eventually, but for now I'm thinking as small as possible. Thanks for the ideas though. :rockin:

You'll be ok with mashing out. Just watch the temp. Don't leave to get another beer. (Not that I would know anything about that.) I set my thermometer alarm for 165. Once is rings I set the stove to low for 10 minutes. That is my mash out. NO problems since I learned from the above mistake.

Letting the grains hit 170 does help extract more liquid when I squeeze the bag. IMHO.

You would be surprised how cheap you can get a dorm fridge. I paid $15 for my last one. The kid wanted $50 but I said no. After he tried to get the fridge in his car for 25 minutes to no avail he took my $15.

 

[divrguy]

I would switch the hops up. use the Willamette earlier and the centennial later.

Thats personal preference i love centennial

+1 on the switch.

 

[user 83772]

Good tips on the mashing out. I suppose I'll give it a go and see what happens.

Re: swamp cooling vs. dorm fridging - like I said, I have neither the money nor the space for a dom fridge at the moment, which is why I'm so curious about the swamp cooler idea. I don't doubt that a small fridge would be great, but it simply isn't in the cards right now.

 

[cheesecake]

I think I have a problem......I spent too much money on specialty grains today. I bought every grain needed to brew everything in my 1 gallon batch section in beersmith.




I did some transfering and bottling today transferred galaxy SMaSH. Bottled northern brewer black ipa kit. I will be bottling my citra smash tomorrow.

 

[BigRock947]

Good tips on the mashing out. I suppose I'll give it a go and see what happens.

Re: swamp cooling vs. dorm fridging - like I said, I have neither the money nor the space for a dom fridge at the moment, which is why I'm so curious about the swamp cooler idea. I don't doubt that a small fridge would be great, but it simply isn't in the cards right now.

I've set my fermentor in a tub of water with a towel or t shirt over it and the temperature drops 5 degrees or so. Add a fan blowing and it'll drop 10 degrees lower than room temperature.

Hope this makes sense i'm on my 3rd home brew

 

[BigRock947]

I think I have a problem......I spent too much money on specialty grains today. I bought every grain needed to brew everything in my 1 gallon batch section in beersmith.

View attachment 84433


I did some transfering and bottling today transferred galaxy SMaSH. Bottled northern brewer black ipa kit. I will be bottling my citra smash tomorrow.

That's a Good problem. I need to go to the LHBS and get some grains for some brews.

 

[Leadgolem]

I think I have a problem......I spent too much money on specialty grains today. I bought every grain needed to brew everything in my 1 gallon batch section in beersmith.

View attachment 84433


I did some transfering and bottling today transferred galaxy SMaSH. Bottled northern brewer black ipa kit. I will be bottling my citra smash tomorrow.

Your right, you do have a problem.....










Your shelf is bending in the middle.