3 gallon pot

[SCARYLARRY]

Okay were do they hid the search function at?? I'm planning on doing my first batch tomorrow, but I only have a 12 quart pot. Will this be big enough. I know this probably already been answered. Thanks in advance.

 

[KayaBrew]

The search box is hidden in the upper right. A 12 qt. pot is only 3 gallons, so that's only big enough for a 2 gallon boil. You'll want to step it up soon enough. I'll bet you'll want to do full boils and eventually mini-mash then AG.

 

[ifishsum]

I'm actually still using my 12 qt pot to do partial mash/extract batches. My pot still has some room left when it has 3 gallons in it so as long as I watch it close for boilovers I can start my boil with almost 3 gallons. It's not ideal but it works and I've only had 1 boilover.

 

[mr_bell]

Should be enough for a 1.5 - 2 gal boil. Keep an eye on it--boil overs are no fun. The color may end up darker than expected due to carmelization of sugars with the smaller size boil.

I use a 5 gal stainless pot and typically start w/ 3.5 - 4 gallons; the specialty grains absorb some of the water, though I've never tracked exactly how much.

Bottled: Edwort's Apfelwein
Bottled: Holiday Ale (AHS Gold Seal)

Brewing this weekend: Northern Brewer Cream Ale

 

[SCARYLARRY]

So is doing a 2 gal. boil enough to make 5 gal.? And what would be a good style of beer to start with? I like just about every style of beer.

 

[chemist308]

It will work, but you'll want a couple other pots of water boiling, so it's helpful if you have a couple of 8 quart stock pots or an 8 quart and a 4 to 6 quart....

That said, upgrade to a 16 to 20 quart pot at your earliest convenience. I started with a 24...

I'm still pretty new at this, but since this is your first batch, here is what I've learned from my first batch--maybe I'll save you some pain.

1. Clean and Sanitize Everything the night before
2. Don't start brewing in the Evening
3. Brew in the Morning or Early Afternoon
4. Remember to sanitize the bucket lid's gasket, grommet and airlock
5. Set Airlock in lid BEFORE Placing Lid on Bucket, unless you want the gromet in your brew...
6. Sanitize a More than you Need for the Unexpected
7. Have a small amount of boiled and cooled water on hand to add to your airlock after the lid is placed.
8. Don't rack from primary fermenter too soon
9. Organization is key...

 

[mr_bell]

So is doing a 2 gal. boil enough to make 5 gal.? And what would be a good style of beer to start with? I like just about every style of beer.

Two gals is enough for a 5 gallon batch, though if you start with 2 gallons you will end up with less once the boil is over. Once the boil is through and the wort cooled, you will siphon to your primary fermenter (ale pale or carboy, whatever you're using) and add as much cool water as necessary to bring it up to 5 gallons. I am using bottled spring water for my next batch, a cream ale, which is light and will not hide any off flavors well. I have used plain tap water in the past, however my tap water is decent without chlorine odor; yours may not be suitable. Any questions on water I'll defer to the resident experts here. Anyway, try to keep the trub (crap at the bottom of the pot) out as much as possible as you rack to the primary fermenter.

From what I've read, it sounds like brown ales are the most forgiving when brewing, therefore ideal for the new homebrewer, but I have yet to brew one.

 

[mr_bell]

It will work, but you'll want a couple other pots of water boiling, so it's helpful if you have a couple of 8 quart stock pots or an 8 quart and a 4 to 6 quart....

That said, upgrade to a 16 to 20 quart pot at your earliest convenience. I started with a 24...

I'm still pretty new at this, but since this is your first batch, here is what I've learned from my first batch--maybe I'll save you some pain.

1. Clean and Sanitize Everything the night before
2. Don't start brewing in the Evening
3. Brew in the Morning or Early Afternoon
4. Remember to sanitize the bucket lid's gasket, grommet and airlock
5. Set Airlock in lid BEFORE Placing Lid on Bucket, unless you want the gromet in your brew...
6. Sanitize a More than you Need for the Unexpected
7. Have a small amount of boiled and cooled water on hand to add to your airlock after the lid is placed.
8. Don't rack from primary fermenter too soon
9. Organization is key...

Chem, im curious what are you using the additional pots of boiling water for? I started brewin in May, and have made 4 (extract) batches + 1 Apfelwein since then, and never needed any additional boiling water. Are you doing mini-mash?