Some questions for 1 gallon brewers

[arnobg]

I currently just did my first 5 gallon batch and have all my equipment for that, but I have been gaining interest in doing small batches too for practice, convenience, more brewing at once, etc.

I do have some questions though before buying stuff:

1. What is the recommended kettle size for extract and also all grain 1 gallon batches? I assume my 9 gallon kettle for 5 gallon brewing is too big for 1 gallon batches.

2. I see two glass carboy types on norther brewer. Are the ones with plastic twist caps preferred, or the #6 bug types?

3. Will my normal large auto-siphon work in the smaller 1 gallon carboy, or will I have to get a smaller one?

 

[pricelessbrewing]

No such thing as too big, but it's definitely overkill. Probably 3-5G is fine.

I don't really like glass. So it's pet preferred for me.

You'lhave to check the cap size and make sure it fits, otherwise it's fine.

 

[arnobg]

No such thing as too big, but it's definitely overkill. Probably 3-5G is fine.

I don't really like glass. So it's pet preferred for me.

You'lhave to check the cap size and make sure it fits, otherwise it's fine.

Thanks for your reply, but I am looking for definitive answers on the first and last as I am online shopping and "checking that it fits" isn't possible until it is on my doorstep. I am looking for answer from folks that have and use this stuff.

 

[pricelessbrewing]

I've used both. My autosiphon fits in the standard glass jug 1G carboys. I would email the merchant and find out the ID of the neck opening.

For extract 1 gallon batches 2 gallon pot is fine. I would probably get a 5 gallon pot though as you'll be able to do either biab 2-3G batches, or do a larger extract batch if wanted.

 

[phug]

Be careful with the auto siphon. You will need to hold it steady or you run the risk of toppling your carboy as it empties. Ask me how I know. Those car boys should both take a 6 or 6.5 bung, it's just a question of what you prefer I say stick with bungs so you can share equipment between 1 and 5 gallon batches. You can certainly use your large pot but you'll still have the same boiloff rate that you have on your large batches. On the upside you know what that is already.

 

[h22lude]

A kettle can actually be too big for small batches. If you use a bigger kettle with a bigger diameter, you will boil off more than you think. A 9 gallon pot will most likely boil off most of a 1 gallon batch. Try an experiment to see. Boil 1 gallon in your 9 gallon pot and then boil it in a 2 gallon pot. See how much you have left in both.

Any carboy will work as long as it can fit an airlock. But like phug said, get stuff that you can use in other batches.

The auto siphon I have for 5 gallon batches seems too big for 1 gallon batches but it should work. I'm just thinking of getting it started with little volume but as long as there is enough beer to get it going you should be fine.

 

[Leezer]

I am pretty new to brewing but have only done one gallon batches so far (other than a 5 gallon batch of apfelwein). I use a 2 gallon plastic bucket for fermentation. I have a one gallon glass jug with a twist off cap that I have used for a secondary fermentation, and it worked out well. Although since I didn't use it for primary I can't speak to that. I also use a mini auto siphon which I think fits well in the smaller size bucket and one gallon jug.

 

[arnobg]

Thanks for the replies, I don't yet have a kettle besides the 9 gallon so I'm just looking for the best option for a kettle extract/grain 1 gallon brewing without it ending up too small.

I don't have any bungs for my current 5 gallon carboy either since I usually use the bucket, so what size would fit that too?

I am pretty new to brewing but have only done one gallon batches so far (other than a 5 gallon batch of apfelwein). I use a 2 gallon plastic bucket for fermentation. I have a one gallon glass jug with a twist off cap that I have used for a secondary fermentation, and it worked out well. Although since I didn't use it for primary I can't speak to that. I also use a mini auto siphon which I think fits well in the smaller size bucket and one gallon jug.

Could you direct me to where you got your bucket, or which one you got?

 

[h22lude]

In Rhode Island we have a store called Ocean State Job Lot. It is basically a store that takes overstock. Stuff isn't the best quality but it is cheap. I bought a 4 gallon pot for less than $20 (can't remember the exact amount). Find a store like that near you and see what they have. You can go with something like this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CHJHOA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20. I used the 10 gallon version before going electric. It worked just fine.

Not sure I would use a 5 gallon carboy for a 1 gallon batch. That is a lot of head space. Some people will say it is fine and others will say the head space is too much and could oxidize the beer. On a homebrew level oxidation seems to be less of a worry but why risk it.

To answer you question, I think a 6.5 or 7 stopper would be fine.

 

[arnobg]

In Rhode Island we have a store called Ocean State Job Lot. It is basically a store that takes overstock. Stuff isn't the best quality but it is cheap. I bought a 4 gallon pot for less than $20 (can't remember the exact amount). Find a store like that near you and see what they have. You can go with something like this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CHJHOA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20. I used the 10 gallon version before going electric. It worked just fine.

Not sure I would use a 5 gallon carboy for a 1 gallon batch. That is a lot of head space. Some people will say it is fine and others will say the head space is too much and could oxidize the beer. On a homebrew level oxidation seems to be less of a worry but why risk it.

To answer you question, I think a 6.5 or 7 stopper would be fine.

I should have been more clear, I already have a 5 gallon carboy but haven't used it yet so I don't know what size bung would work with both it and a 1 gallon carboy if I were to purchase.

 

[Leezer]

I got my bucket and the one gallon jug as part of a one gallon beer making kit from Austin HomeBrew Supply. I later bought a second bucket so I could have more batches going at once. Been happy so far.

 

[brew703]

I started out making one gallon batches. They are good to experiment with a recipe. Instead of carboys, try getting a 2 gallon bucket from your grocery's bakery dept. They are food grade and free. Only problem is the insides can be rough, in which case I do not use for fermenting but use them for bottling. I had to gi through 5 buckets from the grocery to find one that was smooth on the insides.

I bought a 2 gallon bucket & lid from my LHBS. I think it was $5 and the inside was smooth. Ordering online was not an option for me due to excessive shipping cost.

I started with extracts in a 2 gallon kettle and just added water to get the volume I needed. I also have the rubber stopper and the screw type caps. The rubber stopper can sometimes be difficult to stay put if wet. Once fermentation starts the rubber stopper can sometimes pop out if not secured with a rubber band. I usually opt for the screw type as they have worked fine for me.

I personally do not care for the mini siphon's. I have one and I have a hard time getting it to work. Sometimes I have no issues where other times it's a B to get started.

 

[phug]

A 6.5 stopper will fit both a 1 gallon and 5 gallon carboy

 

[h22lude]

If you are doing 1 gallon batches, you would not want to use a 1 gallon jug and an airlock. You would want a blow off tube. You can use a 3 gallon carboy for a 1 gallon batch. A 3 gallon and 5 gallon carboy use a #7 stopper. A 1 gallon jug uses #6 stopper.

A 6.5 stopper will fit both a 1 gallon and 5 gallon carboy

#6.5 for 1 gallon might be too big but it could work. #6 is the ideal fit.

 

[Spartan300man]

I have 3 different glass carboys and one of them requires a different rubber stopper for the airlock than the other 2. The glass is very easy to clean and sanitize.

I got a 2 gallon and a 3 gallon bucket from a local bakery. They were used for icing or frosting, they give them away.

I have boiled 2- gallon batches in a 4-gallon lobster pot and then either put it into the 2 or 3 gallon bucket, or split them up and put them into 2 one-gallon carboys, where I used different hops for dry hopping to compare the flavor differences. I'm going to do this splitting idea again and use different flavoring amounts in a stout, I'm going to get the right amount of cherry flavoring for a cherry stout that I have promised to a friend in the winter. I have not used blow-off tubes on the one-gallon carboys, since the actual amount of wort is close to 7/8th of a gallon.

 

[55x11]

I currently just did my first 5 gallon batch and have all my equipment for that, but I have been gaining interest in doing small batches too for practice, convenience, more brewing at once, etc.

I do have some questions though before buying stuff:

1. What is the recommended kettle size for extract and also all grain 1 gallon batches? I assume my 9 gallon kettle for 5 gallon brewing is too big for 1 gallon batches.

2. I see two glass carboy types on norther brewer. Are the ones with plastic twist caps preferred, or the #6 bug types?

3. Will my normal large auto-siphon work in the smaller 1 gallon carboy, or will I have to get a smaller one?

Siphon will work fine. For 1Gallon beers you can use your household pots, they will fit 1 Gallon+ boiloff just fine.

a side comment - I have two 1-Gallon glass carboys, in addition to 3 5.5-6.5 gallon carboys.
Since you have 5-gallon equipment, what I find works for me is to make a ~7 Gallon batch, scale your grain bill up a bit, then fill 5-6 Gallon Carboy and remaining wort goes into 1-Gallon carboy. Then you can try different yeast, temperature, spice/fruit/oak additions, etc. You can also do something like parti-gyle and leave your second sparge runnings for 1-Gallon lighter beers. Amount of time to make 1-Gallon of beer vs. 5-6 Gallons vs. 6-7 Gallons is basically the same, so you can make two beers at once.

 

[arnobg]

Thanks everyone for the advice it has been helpful.

Siphon will work fine. For 1Gallon beers you can use your household pots, they will fit 1 Gallon+ boiloff just fine.

a side comment - I have two 1-Gallon glass carboys, in addition to 3 5.5-6.5 gallon carboys.
Since you have 5-gallon equipment, what I find works for me is to make a ~7 Gallon batch, scale your grain bill up a bit, then fill 5-6 Gallon Carboy and remaining wort goes into 1-Gallon carboy. Then you can try different yeast, temperature, spice/fruit/oak additions, etc. You can also do something like parti-gyle and leave your second sparge runnings for 1-Gallon lighter beers. Amount of time to make 1-Gallon of beer vs. 5-6 Gallons vs. 6-7 Gallons is basically the same, so you can make two beers at once.

Love this idea thanks!

 

[divrguy]

If you really want to use a 1 gallon glass jug, use a blowoff. I never seem to need a blowoff for ciders or meads. I use 2 gallon food grade buckets for beer. I also use a mini auto siphon. Can't imagine anyone having an issue getting it to work unless it's a piece of crap lol. I use my 5 gallon pot from Morebeer. It was cheap and works great for small batches. You can also use a pot from the kitchen as well.

 

[phug]

If you are doing 1 gallon batches, you would not want to use a 1 gallon jug and an airlock. You would want a blow off tube. You can use a 3 gallon carboy for a 1 gallon batch. A 3 gallon and 5 gallon carboy use a #7 stopper. A 1 gallon jug uses #6 stopper.



#6.5 for 1 gallon might be too big but it could work. #6 is the ideal fit.

I'm not guessing that it will fit. I'm saying from experience that with my 6 one gallon jugs, a 6.5 fits. Yes a 6 would probably fit better, and a 7 would fit my larger car boys more nicely, but the 6.5 fits both, from personal experience

 

[phug]

Yes get something to use as a blowoff, even if it's just some 3/8 th tubing jammed in the stopper or some 5/8 jammed into the airlock post. Sadly standar 1.25 inch tubing doesn't fit in my one gallon jugs, and one inch is loose.

 

[PDevlin75]

The rubber stopper can sometimes be difficult to stay put if wet. Once fermentation starts the rubber stopper can sometimes pop out if not secured with a rubber band. I usually opt for the screw type as they have worked fine for me.

What brew703 said... I have the screw tops, BUT I brewed up a 1 gallon batch 2 weeks ago, and found that my screw cap was cracked around the edge. Turns out that it's a thing that happens to quite a few people. It was late at night when I discovered this, and I'm just hoping for the best, as there wasn't much to be done about it.

Over the weekend, I picked up some #6 stoppers. And again, to brew703's comment, I discovered last night that they can slide around a bit if they're wet... So like he said, secure them with rubber bands. That should do the trick. The screw tops are fine, just make sure they're not cracked before you start brewing!

As for the boil kettle, I have a 3 gallon that works perfectly for small batches. I started out with it when I was doing extract kits. I bought a larger one for all grain, but like you, I've found that I want to experiment more with 1 gallon batches.

I also picked up a mini siphon... I found the large one to be awkward when it came time for bottling.

 

[arnobg]

Awesome that works because I already have two sizes of blowoff tubing for my 5/7.8 gallon fermentors.

 

[Jamesfromdogriver]

I am pretty new to brewing but have only done one gallon batches so far (other than a 5 gallon batch of apfelwein). I use a 2 gallon plastic bucket for fermentation. I have a one gallon glass jug with a twist off cap that I have used for a secondary fermentation, and it worked out well. Although since I didn't use it for primary I can't speak to that. I also use a mini auto siphon which I think fits well in the smaller size bucket and one gallon jug.

Thank you for this post i was thinking I would start out in my 2 gal bucket and then move the stuff to my glass jug after it slowed down bubbling and let it sit anther few days till it cleared up then bottle it. I lost so much messing with trying to get the stuff out the glas jug into another container then clean the jug and put it back.

 

[Leezer]

I would recommend skipping the transfer to the glass jug and just let it stay in the bucket until bottling time. I've since decided the less the beer is moved the less chance of introducing an infection or some other problem. Plus I find after a couple weeks the beer has cleared up nicely right in the primary fermenter.

 

[Drewch]

I agree -- unless you're doing extended bulk aging, just let it finish in the bucket, and bottle directly from there.