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OK. I imagine though, in my position of ignorance, that I'd probably do the same. I imagine it's a lot quicker to set up a pot than AIO, less cleaning, less fuss. Unless of course they're the same size.Sorry I misread... that comment was for @Thorbz
Ok
I'm having problems finding a pot/vessel that is in stock and affordable and reasonable quality.
I've seen lots of ultra cheap pots around £20 for 15-20 litres but most of them look like they won't last 5 minutes, and there are reports of some rusting after a few uses.
I've looked at 'proper' kettles as well as kitchen pots. I've got a few earmarked but haven't decided on any yet.
So, I may have to wait for better pots to come into stock, or wait until New Year and hope for a price reduction on those that are in stock.
In the meantime, can I use a pot that's too small to fit everything in by perhaps using smaller water volume and then
adding water to the FV to the required volume?
or
by draining the wort into the FV and then sparging with water to take the wort to the expected volume?
Or alternatively, splitting the recipe in half so it fits into the pot and brewing twice. I know that's twice as much work so it would have to offer advantages over any other method.
I've also thought of trying ultra small runs (3 litres or so). This has the advantage of allowing lots of different recipes without tying up too much space for bottle storage. The problem with this is that I have a 15L fermenter bucket so they'll be a large headspace and from what I've read that is a problem. The smallest FB I've seen is 10L,so again a big head space.
Or is there a different way I haven't thought of?
Also, if I were to buy grain, either individually or a kit. If I split them, will they keep? Same with splitting yeast or hops, will they keep one opened?
You sounded like a good advocate for stove top brewing until that last sentenceHaving said all that, it can be a pain in the a$$ and I’m now looking into an electric AIO system
You sounded like a good advocate for stove top brewing until that last sentence
Dunelm? Not checked them. We've got one a couple of miles away. I'll check them out.
Just had a thought. I could split the batch into 2 pans and cook both at same time. Yeah, perhaps more work than one big batch. Especially close to hot break. Definitely do not want a boil over.... my brewing career could be cut very short if that happened.
Small batches would allow me to try recipes out faster without too much 'inventory' of empty bottles and brewed beer. That cuts the money tied up and allows more recipe testing.
The problem with headspace in the fermenter remains though.
Dunelm website shows a 11L @ £25 and 14L for £60.I’ve done 7 (I think…) brews , 2 extract, 5 AG in an 11.5L stock pot I picked up from our local dunelm in a sale.
Wilko website shows 15L made by Tramontina. Robert Dyas The Range, Amazon.co.uk and Wayfair also sell the same one all between £55-60.Wilko's obviously no longer with us, but spotted this the other day, which looked identical.
George SS Stock Pot
It may look a thin gauge, but they're plenty tough enough.
My local ASDA definitely doesn't have this in store, I looked last week and they only had typical 5-7 Litres free in stock. Might have a look at a bigger branch about 20 minutes drive away, wish their website had branch stock levels. Alas, the 2p,minuted is in the opposite direction to Dunelm lol.
Thanks MmmI started with the Wilko stock pot and made many good beers with it.
Wilko's obviously no longer with us, but spotted this the other day, which looked identical.
George SS Stock Pot
It may look a thin gauge, but they're plenty tough enough.
Was 16L what you started with, or finished with? I'm curious how much evaporation there was.I made 16L of bitter in my 20L pot yesterday and then added water to make it up to 20L at my target gravity.
I finished with 16L and will liquor back post fermentation. I think I used 19l of water. Thereabouts. 15 mash 4 sparge.Was 16L what you started with, or finished with? I'm curious how much evaporation there was.
Im very much with you on that one..10L is the largest of want to do, mostly I'd be making less than that, as I said, more varieties and faster equipment turn around, there's only so much I can drink and I dislike drinking the same stuff all the time.
Having stored milled grains in the past there is a definate loss of freshness over time, whole grain not so much of an issue. I personally wouldnt order grain for a 23L brew and split it.Any comments about splitting grains, hops etc and shelf life afterwards?
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