Starting AG (small batch)

[kaipee]

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

[johnrm]

You could do it but it might be a lot of effort for a small result.
Go for 20+litre batch sizes less frequently.

[matthewdick23]

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

[johnrm]

BIAB is the handiest AG start. 1 Bucket + elements and tap. Add a bag and chiller. Less than 100 bucks.

[Eoin]

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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[John_C]

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.

[TheSumOfAllBeers]

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.

[kaipee]

OK so I went ahead and purchased these fine items as a starter to my AG (BIAB) adventures:

15lt stainless steel pot ( eBay link ) @ £13.49
Non-Contact IR-Infrared Digital Thermometer ( Amazon link ) @ £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....)

[sub82]

Nice one! I'm sure you could knock up a brew with these?

[kaipee]

Lol almost sub82. Still have a few things to get, but they'll have to wait until the new year

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[rAdve]

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.

[johnrm]

Pringles?

[kaipee]

Pringles can method?

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[Will_D]

This needs pictures!

[rAdve]

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.