Pilot batch setup

[trevelynzx]

Hey all,

After some recent failures with my standard 11g system I've begun considering building a "pilot" system to perfect recipes before putting them through the large system (where failure is more costly...).

I'm shooting for a 5 gallon BIAB setup and hopefully something small enough that can be brewed indoors on the stove.

Questions -
1) What BK would you guys recommend? I'm looking at the 10 gallon Spike+ kettle which seems like a great value for the $.
2) Any recommendation on a whirlpool/ recirc setup for this? I don't have a pump today.

Or I could just cheap out and use an 8-gallon stock pot and figure on some lifting/ dumping/ hole punching along the way. Anybody go that route?

 

[Murphys_Law]

I have a 10G Spike, which I love, but it’s too big for my stove. I bought a 5.5G SS kettle from Walmart and do 3.25 on my stove top using BIAB.

I don’t whirlpool, though. What I do is put my SS spoon and temp probe in the last few mins of the boil to sanitize (similar to how I do my IC on larger batches). At the end of boil I put the kettle in an ice-filled sink and gently swirl the wort. When cool, either just dump or use my auto siphon into the fermenter.

It works well for small batches or beers you simply don’t want a lot of (for example, I like an occasional Berliner but not a full keg so I’m making a small batch today).

 

[IslandLizard]

What kind of failures did you encounter?

An 11 gallon system is not a whole lot larger than a 5 gallon one, I don't see how your pilot system would fix or exclude problems in the larger one. Can't you brew 5 gallon 'pilot batches' on your 11 gallon system to work out kinks in recipes and processes?

I do understand your inclination to brewing indoors on a smaller system, I simply love brewing indoors, in the kitchen. But my stove could not boil 7-8 gallons of wort very well, and the sheer weight of the full kettle on a glass top stove was roundout scary.

I switched to a 3500W countertop induction plate (Avantco IC3500) and haven't looked back.

 

[trevelynzx]

What kind of failures did you encounter?

An 11 gallon system is not a whole lot larger than a 5 gallon one, I don't see how your pilot system would fix or exclude problems in the larger one. Can't you brew 5 gallon 'pilot batches' on your 11 gallon system to work out kinks in recipes and processes?

I do understand your inclination to brewing indoors on a smaller system, I simply love brewing indoors, in the kitchen. But my stove could not boil 7-8 gallons of wort very well, and the sheer weight of the full kettle on a glass top stove was roundout scary.

I switched to a 3500W countertop induction plate (Avantco IC3500) and haven't looked back.

Thanks for the comments! I’m looking to reduce the amount of $ wasted if a batch goes bad. My 1/2bbl SS unitank can do minimum 7gal batches before the FTSS coil doesn’t reach the wort. But I have a couple of Speidel fermenters to use for smaller batches. Looking for a good kettle setup for the hot side of a smaller batch that would allow me to do higher gravity batches @5gal BIAB.

Will check out the induction plate idea!

 

[kevin58]

This isn't a bad system. I bought one of their 15 gallon 3-vessel systems last year and have been contemplating getting this smaller one for indoor use during the winter when it's too cold to brew in my garage. One of the things I like is that all of the components fit inside the kettle for storage when you're done. The second video is a comparison of two different size options. By the way, High Gravity has re engineered some parts since this video was made. One things that I believe has changed is the location of the temperature probes.

https://www.highgravitybrew.com/sto...tric-Wort-Hog-5-Gallon-BIAB-120V-445p4647.htm