Appropriate size equip for batches

[Nate187]

I currently have a 5 gallon setup for brewing. I want to try out a few recipes online but I really don't want to 5 gallons worth while im learning new techniques as I am brand new at this. I have read a few things that advise against using 5 gallon containers/fermenters for 1 gallon recipes.

What is the biggest container you would recommend using for a 1 gal or 3 gal batch?

Thanks in advance

 

[GaBrewZoo]

Are you doing extract or all grain? If you're doing all grain, bump up to 3 or 4 gallon, doesn't cost but a dollar or two more. Too much head space can be a problem. Even with extract, you'll only need more extract, because you won't need more yeast or hops, unless you are doing an IPA. Go for it. What do you have to lose? If nothing else, you'll be learning.

 

[RM-MN]

I currently have a 5 gallon setup for brewing. I want to try out a few recipes online but I really don't want to 5 gallons worth while im learning new techniques as I am brand new at this. I have read a few things that advise against using 5 gallon containers/fermenters for 1 gallon recipes.

What is the biggest container you would recommend using for a 1 gal or 3 gal batch?

Thanks in advance

For a 1 gallon batch you probably want a smaller fermenter, probably about 3 gallon size. Coincidentally, some bakeries buy cake frosting in 3 gallon food safe buckets and then need to dispose of the empties. Perhaps you could help them out by accepting one or 2. If you can accept fermentation without seeing bubbles, make a small hole in the lid and tape a piece of plastic over it with tape on 3 sides to keep fruit flies out but also let the excess gas escape.

I ferment my 2 1/2 to 3 gallon batches in a 6 1/2 gallon bucket and they do fine.

 

[McKnuckle]

Just a thought for you... After a year or two going the de facto 5 gallon route, as all beginners are led to do in home brewing, I sized my entire brewing operation for 2.5 gallon batches.

I have a 5 gallon cooler, 8 gallon kettle, and I ferment in 5 gallon corny kegs. Then I serve in 2.5 or 3 gallon corny kegs. It's perfect. I brew what for me is just the right amount of beer, and I can experiment without wasting a cr@p-t0n of ingredients.

I still have equipment to do larger batches, but I foresee using it only for a special occasion where I'm brewing for an event (which hasn't happened yet).

 

[PADave]

I'm the exact opposite. I started with 1 gallon, went to 2.5-3 gallon, and then quickly moved to 5 gallon brews. They all pretty much take the same amount of time and effort. I actually found the smaller batches harder to brew.

 

[pursuit0fhoppiness]

For a 1 gallon batch you probably want a smaller fermenter, probably about 3 gallon size. Coincidentally, some bakeries buy cake frosting in 3 gallon food safe buckets and then need to dispose of the empties. Perhaps you could help them out by accepting one or 2. If you can accept fermentation without seeing bubbles, make a small hole in the lid and tape a piece of plastic over it with tape on 3 sides to keep fruit flies out but also let the excess gas escape.

I ferment my 2 1/2 to 3 gallon batches in a 6 1/2 gallon bucket and they do fine.

Regarding the end of your post, I recently went all grain with a 5 gallon mash tun and kettle, so I've made a couple 2.5-3 gal batches. Plan to make them all close to 3 in the future, and currently I'm using 6 gallon buckets. My question is regarding me wanting to buy a 7 gal SS Brew Bucket.. I figure all that headspace should be okay, if I seem to be okay in a 6 gal bucket now?

 

[ba-brewer]

I currently have a 5 gallon setup for brewing. I want to try out a few recipes online but I really don't want to 5 gallons worth while im learning new techniques as I am brand new at this. I have read a few things that advise against using 5 gallon containers/fermenters for 1 gallon recipes.

What is the biggest container you would recommend using for a 1 gal or 3 gal batch?

Thanks in advance

You can get 2 gal food safe buckets at home depot and lowes which work for 1gal batches. They will work for 1.5gal batches and you can bottle a 12pack.

3gal batches you can use a standard 6.5gal ale pale or use a 5gal bucket.

 

[madscientist451]

Brewing 1 gallon batches seems like a waste of time to me, its way too much work for 10 beers.
2.5-3 gallon batches would be a better choice, giving you a decent amount of brew while giving you the opportunity to brew a lot more. 3 gallon better bottles work great for 2.5 gallon batches, but you can use a standard 5 gallon carboy or corny keg if you want to.
I have a couple of Mr. Beer fermenters I found at my local goodwill for $1.50 each. They work great for small experimental batches, I've used them for small batches of mead or English ales that require the yeast to be roused. I just rock them back and forth for mead degassing or yeast rousing. And if you don't have temperature controlled fermentation chamber, you can pop them in your refrigerator when its time to cold crash.

 

[RM-MN]

Regarding the end of your post, I recently went all grain with a 5 gallon mash tun and kettle, so I've made a couple 2.5-3 gal batches. Plan to make them all close to 3 in the future, and currently I'm using 6 gallon buckets. My question is regarding me wanting to buy a 7 gal SS Brew Bucket.. I figure all that headspace should be okay, if I seem to be okay in a 6 gal bucket now?

Check out this youtube video and calculate the headspace they have. It might give you a better idea of how big of a fermenter you can use for your batch.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xClXKMhcFr0[/ame]

 

[Leezer]

When I did one gallon batches I really liked the Little Big Mouth Bubbler which holds 1.4G. Easy to clean and after first using plastic buckets I liked the ability to instead see what was going on during fermentation. Now I do 2.5G batches and like using the 3G Better Bottle.

 

[BugEyedValiant]

Good gosh, I'd rather be the mop guy at the porno store than the guy that has to mop up the Bigfoot room at Sierra Nevada.

 

[tennesseean_87]

I think 5 gallon food grade buckets are great for 3-4 gallon batches. You can get Mr. Beer fermenters as well for your 2-2.5 gallon batches. Check out the Pipeline Diversity links on my sig for my thoughts about batch sizes, etc.

 

[RM-MN]

Regarding the end of your post, I recently went all grain with a 5 gallon mash tun and kettle, so I've made a couple 2.5-3 gal batches. Plan to make them all close to 3 in the future, and currently I'm using 6 gallon buckets. My question is regarding me wanting to buy a 7 gal SS Brew Bucket.. I figure all that headspace should be okay, if I seem to be okay in a 6 gal bucket now?

I should have noted that Sierra Nevada does not leave the beer in those open fermenters for an extended period of time. It looks like they drain the beer off to another vessel before the krausen has fallen completely. However, your yeast does produce a large amount of CO2 and it also needs oxygen during the lag phase so it probably does not leave much oxygen in that big space of the 7 gallon SS Brew Bucket when it is done.