1-Gallon Brewers UNITE!

[Leadgolem]

For one gallon batches I find you really need two scales. The typical 11lb kitchen scale and a gram scale. The small gram scales are pretty cheap

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026KXU7W/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Agreed. I've got a typical moderately accurate kitchen scale. I've also got an AC Pro 200 that reads in .01 gram increments. I'm very happy with that setup. The AC Pro goes up to 200 grams, which is high enough for me to use the tare function with little glass desert dishes on it. That way I can pre-measure ingredients in the containers. I find that to be more convenient then using a lighter container to measure in, or scraping off the scale into another container.

This scale does occasionally vary, with no change in contents, by .05 grams. I find that amount of weight negligible to my usage.

 

[Ivypunx]

I have been loading beer into my gallon jugs this week. Three small batches in three days. I just made the switch from screw caps to rubber stoppers. I couldnt be happier with the switch.

 

[Ivypunx]

I use a oseri kitchen scale to weigh my hops and grains. It can measure in oz, grams and pounds

 

[The_Glue]

So my my second brewing session (1 gallon) turned out much better than my first, i was able to keep a pretty constant temperature in the pot using BIAB.

I used about 2.5 grams of yeast from an usual 11.6 gram packet of Safale US-05 for fermentation.

What to do with the rest? Is there a way to store my opened yeast for longer than 2-3 days?

 

[JohnSand]

Yes. I squeeze out as much air as I can, seal it with scotch tape, and put it in the fridge. The instructions and many brewers will tell you not to, but I've used it weeks later.

 

[Leadgolem]

Yes. I squeeze out as much air as I can, seal it with scotch tape, and put it in the fridge. The instructions and many brewers will tell you not to, but I've used it weeks later.

Me too. I've had dried yeast in the fridge for months and it still worked.

 

[flipfloptan]

I have stored tried yeast for a long time after opening it. If you are worried, you can take open yeast and make a starter. It doesn't take much for 1 gallon brews.

 

[Ivypunx]

So my my second brewing session (1 gallon) turned out much better than my first, i was able to keep a pretty constant temperature in the pot using BIAB.

I used about 2.5 grams of yeast from an usual 11.6 gram packet of Safale US-05 for fermentation.

What to do with the rest? Is there a way to store my opened yeast for longer than 2-3 days?

I love US-05. One of my favorite strains

 

[Ivypunx]

My small batch swamp cooler. Loaded and bubbling like crazy

 

[shoreman]

Just harvested my homegrown cascade hops today - got about 2 lbs wet - gonna try and cram them all into a 2 gallon batch tomorrow night - pale malt, crystal 60 grains.

 

[The_Glue]

Cool, then i will use that yeast for a few more brews, should i increase the dose as time passes?

 

[stratslinger]

Well, last Wednedsay the wife and I had our first 1 gallon brew day. I had two surprises: First, my little mash tun loses heat like nobody's business - it lost 3 or 4 degrees in 30 minutes! Second, cleanup was so much faster than a full on 5 or 10 gallon brew day. Since I was cooling with an ice water bath, I didn't have to bust out or clean my CFC, which saved a bunch of time. And we just kept moving and cleaning as we went, which is my typical MO, but just the same, we were done in about 4.5 hours - and that included a 90 minute boil since we were using 50% pilsner malt.

Looking forward to how this one turns out.

 

[Leadgolem]

Cool, then i will use that yeast for a few more brews, should i increase the dose as time passes?

If you've had the packet in the fridge for more then 6 months, then it wouldn't hurt to increase the amount of dried yeast you are using by about 25%.

 

[LabRatBrewer]

Well, last Wednedsay the wife and I had our first 1 gallon brew day. I had two surprises: First, my little mash tun loses heat like nobody's business - it lost 3 or 4 degrees in 30 minutes! Second, cleanup was so much faster than a full on 5 or 10 gallon brew day. Since I was cooling with an ice water bath, I didn't have to bust out or clean my CFC, which saved a bunch of time. And we just kept moving and cleaning as we went, which is my typical MO, but just the same, we were done in about 4.5 hours - and that included a 90 minute boil since we were using 50% pilsner malt.

Looking forward to how this one turns out.

I've been absent from this thread, so sorry if this has been covered. But if the pot your mashing in will fit in the oven, set the oven to 170. Pre-heat it then turn it off with about 5 minutes left in your boil. Leave it off, put the pot inside, sir every 10-15 minutes...I lose almost no heat. Just an idea.

 

[wetroads]

Fascinating thread!

I solved the mashtun issues with a thermal cooker. Admittedly an expensive luxury, but it does the job wonderfully.

If anyone is interested, I have put a few pictures on my website: http://www.picobrew.co.uk

Any questions, just message me! Will keep an eye on this thread anyway

Lee

 

[lomcevak]

How are all of you doing gravity readings on these 1 gallon batches? I've been trying to decide how to do it without pulling 8 ounces at a time. On a small batch that starts to add up quickly.

 

[biggdaddymatt]

I just started using a refractometer on my last batch. Then comparing readings with nb site on refractometer calculations.

 

[Leadgolem]

How are all of you doing gravity readings on these 1 gallon batches? I've been trying to decide how to do it without pulling 8 ounces at a time. On a small batch that starts to add up quickly.

I just started using a refractometer on my last batch. Then comparing readings with nb site on refractometer calculations.

That's a good way to do things.

With a hydrometer, I just make sure the sample tube and hydrometer are clean before starting. Then pour the sample back in.

 

[BikerBrewer]

I just started using a refractometer on my last batch. Then comparing readings with nb site on refractometer calculations.

That's what I've been using on the last several batches. Works very well.

 

[shoreman]

What's everyone's favorite fermentation vessel for small batches like this?

 

[biggdaddymatt]

I've only made a few batches and I've only used the gallon carboy that came in the kit. Its nice for someone who likes to watch the fermentation. Like me.

 

[Calichusetts]

What's everyone's favorite fermentation vessel for small batches like this?

One gallon carboys. With proper pitch rates and temp control, the krausen never rises more than a few inches. I usually put 1.1 gallons in without worry

 

[Leadgolem]

2 gallon fermentation buckets. I like to do solid fruit additions.

 

[jtd_419]

What's everyone's favorite fermentation vessel for small batches like this?

Two gallon icing buckets free from Costco bakery. ... all ya gotta do is ask

 

[ericbw]

What's everyone's favorite fermentation vessel for small batches like this?

Glass jugs from cider/juice or jug wine. We also have some 2 G buckets for larger batches.

 

[JohnSand]

12qt enamel steel pot. Cheap, durable, easy to clean. But you can't watch it ferment.

 

[shoreman]

Thanks guys I like the idea of a single fermentation with a spigot for straight bottling - anyone doing that?

 

[Mooglebass]

I am using something like this right now i found. Down side i found was when i took a sample from the spigot it seemed cloudy.

Picked this up today, was 7 bucks at meijer. Was thinking possibility of it.being dual purpose. Fermenting and bottling. I know the spigot wouldn't he great for fermenting, but I can always plug it.

View attachment 136329

 

[BikerBrewer]

Thanks guys I like the idea of a single fermentation with a spigot for straight bottling - anyone doing that?

I bought one of those Brew Demon conical fernentors and have been using it the last 6 batches. Works nice, I bottle right from the fermentor.

 

[PsyDanny]

I bought one of those Brew Demon conical fernentors and have been using it the last 6 batches. Works nice, I bottle right from the fermentor.

Have you limited yourself to 2-gallons, or have you been able to squeeze out more capacity?

Just wondering. Got one awhile ago, but have been caught up with other stuff. About time to get back to brewing...