Concentrated boil

[brockchance]

So my brew pot Indy big enough for a 5 gallon batch but I could fit my 1 gallon and 2 gallon kits in it fine. Can I just do my boil then add water to make it to 5 gallons

 

[kh54s10]

You can if your recipe is designed for top up water. Your hop utilization will vary with the amount of wort it is boiled in. If you use a recipe that was designed for smaller amounts and top up to 5 gallons it will be diluted.

A lot of extract kits that are for 5 gallons only boil 2.5 to 3 gallons. A 20 qt stock pot available at grocery stores or Wally World will easily handle one.

I started with kits from Northern Brewer.

 

[CU_tony]

You could do that, however unless you calculate and brew a "bigger" version of your recipe with a higher OG you'll just end up watering down your product.
So yes, you could add water to your batch in the fermentor (boiled and chilled water is highly recommend) however even with planning you are likely to end up with something slightly different than the same batch with a full boil.

It largely depends on what size you can boil.
What size kettle do you have?

The more of the batch you can actually boil, the better chances you are to replicate the intended recipe.

 

[Aristotelian]

I would say yes but check your gravity after mashing to make sure you got the same efficiency as you would have with the full volume. Keep checking your gravity as you add water to make sure you don't over-dilute.

 

[JohnSand]

There are several ways to make a five gallon batch in a five gallon pot. If you are careful, you can top off after hot break and boil four gallons in it. I did this regularly when I brewed on a stove top. Top off again to start cooling, and last in the fermenter. But use a five gallon kit or recipe.

 

[dwhite60]

Why not just do a smaller batch? You can brew more often. If you get five gallons of good beer, great. If you get five gallons of not so good beer, oh well.

I do three gallon batches and I am fine with that. Might have to scale a recipe here and there but it's not a problem. Your average 20 quart canning kettle, which are easy to find, will easily do a three gallon batch.

I don't have room for a propane burner and tank. Not enough room on the stove for a 6.5 gallon pot. I've tried using two pots, it's a pain also. I settled on three gallon batches and it works for me.

All the Best,
D. White