Do fermentation times change?

[Cactus Jack]

Hi All,

Just started brewing so please be kind.

I've found a couple of recipes I'd like to try, however I currently only brew 1 gallon batches. So with the recipes I find I divide by the required amount to get the correct amount of ingredients. Therefore my question is do the fermentation times remain the same as the original recipe or do I need to reduce them also?

Cheers All,

 

[joe1002]

They would stay the same IMO. I assume you reduce the amount of yeast also, otherwise you will be over pitching?

Further, I understand hops are not as simple as reducing the amount proportionally.

 

[Cactus Jack]

Thanks MB. :thumb:

Yep will be reducing the yeast, I've used the BrewMate software to help get the hops in the right ball park. It was just the fermentation I was concerned about.

 

[rpt]

You need to be guided by the hydrometer rather than fermentation times in a recipe.

 

[Cactus Jack]

Cheers rpt.

I'm thinking of asking for a refractometer for Xmas. As I'm brewing in so small bathes don't want to lose any to a hydrometer.

 

[rpt]

A refractometer is for checking the gravity during the mash. Once fermentation starts the alcohol skews the reading. I'm not sure if you can make accurate allowance for it.

 

[PD]

http://www.northernbrewer.com/refractometer-calculator/

 

[Cactus Jack]

Cheers piddledribble :

 

[Cactus Jack]

Hmmm...... the northern brewer calculator seemed to be giving odd results :hmm: .(i.e. gravity down to 1.008 on a wheat beer after 4 days FV). I located this http://seanterrill.com/2011/04/07/refractometer-fg-results/ that seems to provide more accurate conversions for me, but I will continue to check both over coming brews.