5, 10, or 15 gallon batches?

[cap46]

IT doesn't take any longer to do 10 gallons ag then to do 5. I use 2 6.5 carbouys for fermentation. I put different yeasts in them also will dry hop 1 to see what happens. Used licroice root in a stout 1 time made it interesting. I did a barley wine only did 5 gallons of it put made a light beer with second runnings. It's a great way to play.

 

[Monster Mash]

When I wanted to upgrade I was going to build a 15 gallon system. I contacted a bunch of pool guys and the 30 gallon filter housings were easier to get so I went with them. I figured I could still brew 15 gallon batches if I wanted to.

Since the pots were free and I could do some of the welding myself my brewery only cost me $800 to build with either the 20 gallon or 30 gallon pots. Im glad I went with the 30's because even with 25 gallon batches I have a hard time keeping beer on hand with all of my new "friends" and beer events I go to.

I guess Im the only 25 galllon brewer here since nobody else voted 16+

 

[brewhead]

well i voted 15 gallons MM because i thought it was an easily atainable threshold.

my stand was designed with 50 gallon batches in mind and i am saving up my dollars towards that goal. right now i do 20 gallon batches.

and i still envy your pool filter kettles. aqpparently those are a rare breed as i have not been able to find any or anyone who has seen ss pool filters.

 

[runhard]

I'm can find the filter housings that MM uses but no one around here to weld stainless. MM should go into a side business or it sounds like Yuri can weld stainless so the sky is the limit. Should be fun to see what Yuri goes with.

 

[disaffected]

MM, are those new or used filter housings you bought? What has to be welded on it? Cut the top off and weld threaded fittings for valves, temp guage, sight glass?

 

[Yuri_Rage]

I'm excited to get started, but I have a few stumbling blocks. First I need to finish my grain mill. Then I need to find a source for these awesome stainless filter housings. If not, I just did a little pricing for using the Toledo products. Looks like about a $400 venture for making a 21 gallon fermenter with their hopper/lid.

I'm VERY undecided as to my eventual course of action. If I order 5 hoppers and lids from Toledo to take advantage of their bulk pricing and make 5 21 gallon fermenters, I'd have to sell them at $500+shipping a piece to come out even on the deal. Of course, that would make mine free, so it wouldn't be a bad thing...

 

[beerme]

I have recently taken the jump from 10 to 25 gal. 10 gal is great if you are the only one enjoying the fruits of your labour. I like being able to dry hop with different hops and I also like to let one condition properly and get into the other immed because of my impatience. I have gone to 25 due to the fact that family members wanted to get in on the brewing so it made sense. IMO go big, you will not regret it

 

[disaffected]

Yuri_Rage, how much beer can you ferment in a 21 gallon fermenter? I presume you have to leave headroom for kraeusen.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Easily 15 gallons, and I think 18 is reasonable.

 

[Monster Mash]

MM, are those new or used filter housings you bought? What has to be welded on it? Cut the top off and weld threaded fittings for valves, temp guage, sight glass?

These pool filters are free because they were being replaced. The bottom has a 4" hole the diverter goes through that needs to be welded.

This is what they look like before I strip and polish them. There is a lot of work involved in getting them shiney.....

 

[disaffected]

Yeah, I took a look at some of your pictures on Yahoo. It does look like it would entail quite a bit of work. I'm probably not quite up to that level of effort to get some boil kettles or fermenters, just yet, although I do know someone who can weld SS.

Actually, welding is something I've always wanted to learn. MIght take a class some day. Cleaning, grinding, and buffing paint off of SS tanks is not something I'm all that enthused about.

 

[Brewpastor]

20 to 24 gallons is my general patch. That is a lot of beer. At times I use my smaller kettle and do 10 gallon runs.

 

[cha ngo]

Back to back batches are also fairly efficient. Rather than doing a 10 gallon batch in 6 hours, I do two in 8 hours (mash and sparge while batch 1 boils yada yada).

 

[david_42]

I've never been tempted to do larger batches, I like making different styles too much. Five gallons is enough of one beer. back before Michael died, we would occasionally do an AG batch and an extract batch in one day. But, even with guzzleboy around, five gallon batches worked great.

 

[PicoD42]

i don't know who these ppl are who voted for 5 gallons, but that's just insane imo. the time invested in a 5 gallon batch will be around the same..maybe just a little more for 15 gallons.

At the moment I only have equipment to do 5 gallons, but this is fine for me because I like variety. If I make something I really like, I can always just make another batch. The time it takes isn't too much of an issue to me because I enjoy the process as much as the product.

That being said, I may still move up to 10 gallons or so at some point in the future - I also enjoy getting new toys!