Small Batch All Grain Brewing

[FlatFenBrew]

Hi
After 2 hernia ops and generally drinking less I want to.continue all grain brewing but reduce the volumes.
Has anybody got advice about scaling down? I'm thinking half batch quantities say 12 litres? I'm ok with recipe scaling down it's more a question of equipment.
My equipment is an old skool 3 Vessel system all quite large to move. Haven't used a Grainfather type.
Any advice much appreciated.
Thank

 

[Twostage]

12 litres is doable using a big stockpot and BIAB. That's what I tend to do for 10-12 litre brews.

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

I'm considering whether to do some really small batches (1L or less) for doing side-by-side comparisons on different ingredients and processes.
Maybe do them in fruit-preserving jars; and stand them side-by-side in a water bath to ensure the same mash temp.
Anyone done anything like this, and if so any tips?

 

[Caramel Ox]

Someone on here had made split batch fermenters out of plastic 4litre food storage containers complete with taps and airlocks. Seemed very smart but that only allows for different yeast/dry hop variations not full recipe changes.

 

[dmtaylor]

I've brewed every batch on my kitchen stove, that's 180 batches since 1999. I have a 4-gallon (15-liter) kettle, and I also use a smaller ~8-liter kettle and other kitchen pots on the side when necessary for bigger batches. I've brewed full 22-liter batches a few times boiled 4 kettles and pots at the same time. It works. But usually I am only making 5 to 8 liters at a time. This way I can brew more often (which is fun for me), experiment more, and not end up with more than the 10 cases of beer I already have in my cellar. I ferment in 3-gallon (11-liter) carboys, 3.4-liter pickle jars, or in tall glass vases which I purchased for this use -- ever see those centerpiece vases on tables at wedding receptions? Yeah those. Literally.

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

Someone on here had made split batch fermenters out of plastic 4litre food storage containers complete with taps and airlocks. Seemed very smart but that only allows for different yeast/dry hop variations not full recipe changes.

Yes I remember that but I couldn't find the post - it's quite an attractive idea, particularly when brewing something a bit off-the-wall for the first time before committing to a full batch of something that turns out to be a bit bleugh

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

Reminds me that the first version of Burton IPA was apparently brewed in a teapot!

 

[MashBag]

I'm considering whether to do some really small batches (1L or less) for doing side-by-side comparisons on different ingredients and processes.
Maybe do them in fruit-preserving jars; and stand them side-by-side in a water bath to ensure the same mash temp.
Anyone done anything like this, and if so any tips?

Hmm. Is that not too small.

IME fermentation isn't linear.
A 5litre, 25litre, 250/300litre fermentation will not be the same.

 

[Caramel Ox]

Problem with 1l is that it’s too small to bottle and mature. When you think about it you could do all grain in a mug in the microwave. Maybe one to do when you have easy access to a small amount of yeast eg bottling day.

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

Problem with 1l is that it’s too small to bottle and mature.

Should get two or three 250ml PET bottles though - it can mature in those?
Doesn't even need to be carbed up really - it's only for tasting

- You're probably right though: 5L would probably be more manageable as a minimum size

 

[jof]

- You're probably right though: 5L would probably be more manageable as a minimum size

Yes, easy to put in a demi John or old water bottle.

I've done a couple of experimental brews on this scale & when I made something with a lot of trub, I just about got 3l out of it.

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

Yes, easy to put in a demi John or old water bottle.

I've done a couple of experimental brews on this scale & when I made something with a lot of trub, I just about got 3l out of it.

Thanks @jof - really helpful