Make a small batch with 5gal equipment?

[Mshea805]

If I buy an equipment kit for 5gal batches can I brew just 1 gallon if I want to without buying more stuff? Is it ok to only partially fill the fermenter? Sorry if its a dumb question, im just about to start out brewing.

 

[brewkinger]

The only problem with 1 gallon in a 5 g fermenter in the amount of headspace where oxygen can interact with the beer.
Not really a problem during primary ferment as there's enough carbon dioxide produced to create a protective blanket over the beer.
Pick yourself up a couple of growlers. That's what I use when I make test batches.
I split them between growlers with varying dry hopping. Stick a bung and airlock in em and your all set.

Just my way..


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[pricelessbrewing]

I wouldn't do 1g in a 6-7g bucket. I got a 4g bucket from a local grocery store for free to use for my 3g batches. (just enough for my stovetop to boil without much worries). Call around see if you can get a 2-3g bucket somewhere. Or buy a 1g glass jar (carlo rossi "wine") or whole foods apple juice or similar.

 

[Valtyr]

You could see about getting a 2-3 gallon bucket from a local bakery. They usually give them away for free. They're food safe, and the perfect size for fermenting a small batch. The only thing you'll need to do besides cleaning it is drill a hole in the lid for a grommet and airlock.

 

[Mshea805]

Ok, thanks for the replies. Eventually i want to do 5gal brews but I really only enjoy drinking bigger beers which are usually not recommended for a first time. I just don't want to be stuck with a ton of beer in a style I dont enjoy much.

 

[WayFrae]

If you like bigger beers then brew bigger beers. That is what I have been doing. It isn't much harder, the only thing I wish I would have know to start out brewing big beers is to pitch the correct amount of yeast. One Wyeast smackpack wasn't enough. It still produced beer, it just wasn't as good as it could have been. It is your hobby, do it how you want. I like big beers, so I brew big beers.

 

[C-Rider]

Go to HD and buy a couple of 2 gal paint buckets and lids and then brew for that. I go for 1.8-.9 into the bucket and get 3 six packs.

 

[Munchkin]

The only problem with 1 gallon in a 5 g fermenter in the amount of headspace where oxygen can interact with the beer.
Not really a problem during primary ferment as there's enough carbon dioxide produced to create a protective blanket over the beer.
Pick yourself up a couple of growlers. That's what I use when I make test batches.
I split them between growlers with varying dry hopping. Stick a bung and airlock in em and your all set.

Just my way..


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

Thats I great idea as id like to do some smaller test batches as well. To clarify you ferment (lets say a gallon) in a 5 gallon bucket or carboy then rack to the growlers? Or are you filling the growlers with wort and fermenting in them?