National Homebrew Club Ireland

General Discussions => Brewing Communities => Belfast Homebrewers => Topic started by: kaipee on August 31, 2013, 06:58:48 PM

Title: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: kaipee on August 31, 2013, 06:58:48 PM
I'm going to be starting AG brewing soon. Small batches to begin with using a 1 gallon demijohn.

Just wondering if this pot would be suitable for brewing in (8.5lt version) : http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10129724/#/40129727
Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: johnrm on September 01, 2013, 01:09:55 AM
You could do it but it might be a lot of effort for a small result.
Go for 20+litre batch sizes less frequently.
Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: matthewdick23 on September 01, 2013, 09:21:07 AM
Quote from: johnrm on September 01, 2013, 01:09:55 AM
You could do it but it might be a lot of effort for a small result.
Go for 20+litre batch sizes less frequently.

+1

id start at a larger size. for all kinds of reasons
Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: johnrm on September 01, 2013, 10:49:35 AM
BIAB is the handiest AG start. 1 Bucket + elements and tap. Add a bag and chiller. Less than 100 bucks.
Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: Eoin on September 01, 2013, 02:17:09 PM
Quote from: johnrm on September 01, 2013, 10:49:35 AM
BIAB is the handiest AG start. 1 Bucket + elements and tap. Add a bag and chiller. Less than 100 bucks.

+1

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Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: John_C on September 01, 2013, 05:07:16 PM
I started off with a 1 gallon batch too. I sometimes still do a small batch if I want to try a new ingredient or recipe.
That pot'll do fine, you'll also want a muslin bag to keep the grains in (I presume you're doing BIAB?).

Just beware, like the lads said above, it's a lot of time to put in for a small amount of beer. Most of the time is waiting around (an hour for the mash, an hour for the boil etc...) so have some jobs around the house planned to do in parallel.
Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: TheSumOfAllBeers on September 04, 2013, 11:56:51 AM
One problem with small mashes is that they cant hold their temps very well. One advantage of small mashes is that cooling is a non-problem.

If you want to stick with small mashes, get a second demi, and a ~12-18L pot. Preferably taller than wider. And make 2 demis worth. Same effort, and twice as much beer.

Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: kaipee on December 01, 2013, 12:41:37 AM
OK so I went ahead and purchased these fine items as a starter to my AG (BIAB) adventures:

15lt stainless steel pot ( eBay link (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Deep-Stainless-Steel-Casserole-Catering-Cooking-Stockpot-Saucepans-Soup-Stew-Pot-/400519267810) ) @ £13.49
Non-Contact IR-Infrared Digital Thermometer ( Amazon link (http://www.amazon.co.uk/GM550-Non-Contact-IR-Infrared-Digital-Thermometer/dp/B007Q87J3U/) ) @ £12.50


I will be adding bits and pieces as time goes by :)
Next will be copper piping and hose (might do a build day....)
Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: sub82 on December 02, 2013, 01:54:49 PM
Nice one! I'm sure you could knock up a brew with these?
Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: kaipee on December 02, 2013, 02:21:20 PM
Lol almost sub82. Still have a few things to get, but they'll have to wait until the new year

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Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: rAdve on December 03, 2013, 01:08:52 AM
I do small batches (2 -2.5 gallons) and I can get wort chilled very fast without the wort chiller. I did hole in the Pringles can and I put that to my tap (So no splashes to wort). I keep water running whole cooling phase and on the same time I mix the wort with my "brew spoon" Add ice if you like. With this metod I was able to cool my 2.5 gallon batch to 21c in 15 minutes.  You need to get pretty cold water straight from the tap though.
Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: johnrm on December 03, 2013, 07:41:43 AM
Pringles?
Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: kaipee on December 03, 2013, 10:32:41 AM
Pringles can method?

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Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: Will_D on December 03, 2013, 09:10:37 PM
This needs pictures!
Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: rAdve on December 04, 2013, 01:28:30 AM
1. Put stove pot in the sink.
2. Don't plug the sink.
3. Insert pringles can into the tap. (Just a very easy method not to get water splashes to wort)
4. Turn on the tap and put some PRESSURE.

Water changes very fast on my sink and because tap water is pretty cold in winter time wort temperature goes down fast.
My Pringles can is just a extension for the tap. =)

Before I just used ice and cold water but that method was a lot slower to get temperatures down.
Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: johnrm on December 04, 2013, 07:57:18 AM
Do you mean insert the tap in the can? Do you make a hole in the can?
Pics?
Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: rAdve on December 04, 2013, 11:12:19 AM
I make hole in the side of the can near bottom. I can take picture in Saturday when I make new patch of rye IPA. It is just silly trick with materials I had in hand on my small city centre apartment. :)
Title: Re: Starting AG (small batch)
Post by: johnrm on December 04, 2013, 12:27:23 PM
I have you now.