Homebrewers - Whats in the fermenter?

[forgop]

Originally Posted by Salvelinus

I wouldn't split them like that, though you probably could. I'd invest in a 6 gallon bucket and an airlock and just start doing 5 gallon batches. Even if you don't have a big pot you can boil 2.5 gallons or so and top up to 5 gallons. It'll take a similar amount of time and you'll have twice the beer.

So, if buying from Midwest Supplies, could you tell me exactly what I'd need? (Obviously I'd need more bottles-I'd probably brew the hefeweissen the next time around).

Could I get by with just a 6.5 gal bucket w/ lid and an airlock as long as I had a pot big enough to burn 2.5 gallons?

[Salvelinus]

As an absolute minimum you should be able to.

Here's what I would do

1. Sanitize bucket and add 2.5 gallons of boiled water (this is anal, but I don't like to worry about my tap water having bugs in it) - let cool overnight while covered

2. Do an extract boil to finish up with 2.5 gallons of wort

3. Add wort to bucket and cover

4. Pitch yeast when you get to temp

So basically doing this you need a bucket, an airlock, and something big enough to boil 3 gallons of water in. Keep in mind with the pot that you'll have a hot break so you'll want a 5 gallon pot at least.

How did you bottle from the mr beer kit? I don't know how those kits work. Bottling using the method outlined above would require some additional equipment.

[forgop]

Originally Posted by Salvelinus

How did you bottle from the mr beer kit? I don't know how those kits work. Bottling using the method outlined above would require some additional equipment.

I haven't bottled yet. It's still about 10 days away. The kit came with (8) plastic 1 liter bottles. The Mr. Beer fermenter has a spigot at least for easy pouring into each bottle. I haven't looked at it in much detail yet, but I have to put a bit of sugar into each bottle I think.

[Salvelinus]

Those look like a lot more kettle than you'd need for doing extract batches. You won't need the fittings to move 2.5 gallons of water around. Just lift the pot. I bet the $95 is for the smallest pot he's offering without fittings also. I've seen that posting on my local craigslist also, which is odd.

I'd buy a pot like this 1, 2, 3.

I list 8 gallon pots there so you have room to go to full boils without buying a new pot if you decide to boil 5 gallon batches.