Low gravity concentrated batches

[SMOKEU]

I'm trying to move away from no-boil pre-hopped LME by using boils with DME and hops. After a recent job loss I just don't really have money to blow on a big boiler and gas burner (the big gas burners are extremely expensive here in NZ and eBay isn't an option as the shipping is far more expensive than the burner).

Anyway, I do 23L batches and I can get a 20L stock pot for free, and I have a small gas stove that will hopefully be powerful enough. I only do fairly low gravity beers with an ABV of around 3-3.5%.

I was thinking of using steeping grains in a 16L of water that will evaporate off to around 12L at the end. That'll save me buying a wort chiller too as I can put the 20L pot in the kitchen sink with ice to cool it.


TL;DR:
I know I should try to do a "full size" boil but as that's just not an option at this point, will I still get a good product if end up with a 12L boil as my final volume and then water it down to 23L for low gravity beers?

 

[myelo]

I think your plan sounds good and should work fine.

 

[RM-MN]

I'm trying to move away from no-boil pre-hopped LME by using boils with DME and hops. After a recent job loss I just don't really have money to blow on a big boiler and gas burner (the big gas burners are extremely expensive here in NZ and eBay isn't an option as the shipping is far more expensive than the burner).

Anyway, I do 23L batches and I can get a 20L stock pot for free, and I have a small gas stove that will hopefully be powerful enough. I only do fairly low gravity beers with an ABV of around 3-3.5%.

I was thinking of using steeping grains in a 16L of water that will evaporate off to around 12L at the end. That'll save me buying a wort chiller too as I can put the 20L pot in the kitchen sink with ice to cool it.


TL;DR:
I know I should try to do a "full size" boil but as that's just not an option at this point, will I still get a good product if end up with a 12L boil as my final volume and then water it down to 23L for low gravity beers?

What you are planning to do mimics what an extract kit does. You have the choice to use unhopped LME or DME (either or both). Should work great. One caveat: When you use the concentrated wort with top off water, the OG is what is calculated from the ingredients and volume of wort. The concentrated wort is difficult to mix properly with top off water and a hydrometer reading is often way off.

 

[BrewInspector]

Yep, that is exactly how an extract kit is done.

Steeping grains for some complexity.
A partial boil with DME (or LME).
Cool in ice/water bath.
Top off with cold water to complete cooling and obtain full volume.
Ferment.

Sounds like a plan.
Mixing for hydrometer readings can be an issue (not to be concerned with)
Hop utilization is a little different (you will likely never notice)

 

[NGD]

What you are planning to do mimics what an extract kit does. You have the choice to use unhopped LME or DME (either or both). Should work great. One caveat: When you use the concentrated wort with top off water, the OG is what is calculated from the ingredients and volume of wort. The concentrated wort is difficult to mix properly with top off water and a hydrometer reading is often way off.

+1 on this. When I brew a partial boil batch and add volume I usually stir the hell out of it. I do this to both mix, aerate and get some of the break/hop material to the center. I use a volume gravity calculator to help with the top off. http://www.thebrewlist.com/calculator/gravity-adjust

Doing a full boil is great for a few reasons, but one of the benefits of doing a partial boil is the ability to add pre-chilled water and cool much more quickly than an ice bath. If you have room to chill several liters of pre-boiled/sanitized water to just above freezing it should save you some time on the back end.

 

[IslandLizard]

Yup, good plan!

Instead of extracts, you could do all grain too, depending on what accessibility you have to malt and price comparison to extract. Or malt your own.