Ag What Size Is Best?

[Maggis1783]

Hi All

I am new to AG brewing and have done so much searching around brew sites that I am totally confused.

I have 2 - 25 Litre fermenters and intend buying some stainless steel stock pots, I don't want to waste money so I am trying to work out what size stock pots to buy.

As I see it I could go for large sizes and split the brew between the 2 fermenters, that way if I only end up brewing smaller batches I can still use the large pots, but these large pots are very pricy and I don't want to over do it when I don't have to.

I would love to know form people who have been there if you naturally start small because you are apprehensive about the whole AG brewing idea and then discover that you should have thought ahead a little and gone for the bigger sizes

Sorry if I sound confused

Because the truth is I am

 

[domonsura]

If you just want to test the water, pick up a cheapy ss pot around 36 litres from the chinese markets etc to get started with - then if you decide you like it you can go bigger and use the 36 litre for an HLT later on, at which time I would recommend a minimum 70 litre pot if you want to be able to do doubles.
Fill in your location details in your profile, that way people in your local area may be able top point you in the direction of cheap deals etc, and you may be able to attend a brewday to help clear some of the confusion. It really is pretty simple, but it can look like a VERY big deal when you are starting out - most of the members here will be more than willing to help you into the world of AG. Best of luck!

 

[Maggis1783]

Thanks very much Dononsura

I have updated my location

I have mainly been looking at Ebay for SS pots, I did not think of the markets, that's brilliant

I notice most people have pub kegs, but I reckon you can't buy them?

 

[newguy]

Good question. A few AG brewers eventually move up to 10 gallon (approx 45 litre) batches. You can indeed save money on equipment if you go directly to double batch sizes immediately. The aspects you should consider are your individual consumption, friend & neighbour consumption, whether you have a few tried & true styles/beers that you brew over & over, or whether you like to experiment and try new things.

I started with 5 gallon batches and worked my way up to 10. Although sometimes 10 gallons seems like too much of a given type of beer, I find that I consume it rather quickly. As someone has already pointed out, you can put your smaller kettle to work in your large system, should you decide to upsize.

I'd also like to introduce you to the idea of using an aluminum pot instead of a SS one. They're much cheaper, but of course you probably know that you can't use caustics or abrasive things like steel wool for cleaning. That drawback aside, they're great for brewing. Personally I wouldn't trade my aluminum pot for a SS one. Size wise, my kettle's capacity is 64 litres, and that's plenty big enough for a 10 gallon batch.

 

[pokolbinguy]

I notice most people have pub kegs, but I reckon you can't buy them?

No you can not buy them, these have been acquired with a five finger discount. Comes down to where your morals Lie.

If you have friends in the wine or beer industry they may be able to score you an old defunct keg, this where I got mine.

Pok B)

 

[bconnery]

I have a 40L kettle from which I make 23L batches.
I like to make more rather than bigger but that is a personal choice.

Personally I think 40L is the minimum for a kettle for a 23L batch. I have to be very careful when adding the hop additions for fear of boil over.
It all works fine though.

I have a 25L pot which I use for my hlt, and that works OK too, but I do have to heat my mash and sparge water in stages.

 

[Maggis1783]

Wow, you guys are really knowledgable, Thanks for the replys

Newguy - I had thought that there might be issues with using Aluminium, but after reading you reply, I will look for Al pots too.

Pokolbinguy - Yeah might stick to buying some so I can drink in peace

So I guess I might go for a big Pot 50 Litres and maybe a 25 Litre one, as Domonsura said I can always use the smaller one, nothing will be wasted

 

[Screwtop]

No you can not buy them, these have been acquired with a five finger discount. Comes down to where your morals Lie.

If you have friends in the wine or beer industry they may be able to score you an old defunct keg, this where I got mine.

Pok B)

You can buy them, be sure to get a receipt, local scrap yard has them from time to time.

 

[Maggis1783]

bconnery, I quite like the idea of making more so you can adjust the recipie and not get 50L of something you are not 100% happy with, I suppose I don't have a tried and true recipie yet. It does come down to personal choice I suspect

 

[Uncle Fester]

You can buy them, be sure to get a receipt, local scrap yard has them from time to time.

Mind you, 50l kegs can be a bit of a ***** to work with as well. Man handling 60 or so kilos can be problematic in its own right.

I prefer to have 3 x 20l Cornies with 3 differnt beers in my fridge in lieu of a single 50l commercial keg that would occupy the same space.


Also, I'm not sure simply having a reciept makes it a legal purchase. Still stamped as always remaining the property of the brewery. Happy to be corrected though.

Fester.

 

[schooey]

I think having a reciept from a retailer/scrap yard/whatever only exonerates you from being criminally liable i.e. being charged for recieving/being in posession of stolen goods. As far as I know you'd still have to give them back if someone came looking. Also happy to be put back in box

 

[bconnery]

bconnery, I quite like the idea of making more so you can adjust the recipie and not get 50L of something you are not 100% happy with, I suppose I don't have a tried and true recipie yet. It does come down to personal choice I suspect

It most certainly does! Some want bigger batches, 50L ones aren't uncommon. Probably a majority, but I could be wrong, go for the 23l.
I've had drunken discussions with at least one brewer where we suggested in an ideal world we'd both like to brew nothing but small, 12L batches, and brew much much more often so we could brew all sorts of different things and tweak recipes and have great variety at all times.
Reality kicks in at some point though. 23L works for me...

 

[pokolbinguy]

You can buy them, be sure to get a receipt, local scrap yard has them from time to time.

Mind you, 50l kegs can be a bit of a ***** to work with as well. Man handling 60 or so kilos can be problematic in its own right.

I prefer to have 3 x 20l Cornies with 3 differnt beers in my fridge in lieu of a single 50l commercial keg that would occupy the same space.
Also, I'm not sure simply having a reciept makes it a legal purchase. Still stamped as always remaining the property of the brewery. Happy to be corrected though.

Fester.

I think having a reciept from a retailer/scrap yard/whatever only exonerates you from being criminally liable i.e. being charged for recieving/being in posession of stolen goods. As far as I know you'd still have to give them back if someone came looking. Also happy to be put back in box

The would still be classified as stolen property unless the scrap yard can prove that they legally purchased it from the original owner (i.e. the brewery).... this has been discussed in length before and we have now got off topic.

Sorry guys... back to the question...


What size is best???


Pok

 

[schooey]

Yeah granted Pok, but I think you having the reciept puts the liability back on the scrap yard because they should have known better than to sell it to you, which lets you evade any charges.

Sorry, no more off topic from me..