I have a 3 gallon kettle question

[SHbrewing]

I would like to move from extract to AG.

My question is can I brew a 3 gallon AG batch, with a 48 quart mashtun and boil the wort in a **3 gallon kettle**??

Or is it possible to pull off 2.5 gallons? I've uploaded my recipes to Beersmith and scaled to a 3 gallon. But under my equipment profile, the only option for 3 gallon kettle is extract. So im not sure if my numbers are converting properly.

Thanks :rockin:

 

[Sailingeric]

I would scale down a recipe to fit your pot until you can get a bigger pot plus will give you an ideal of the AG process before you spend the $$ to upgrade. If you don't have a burner, you can pick up a burner and 7.5 gallon pot combo at Home Depot for under a $100. I have that and it has worked out great. But if you can go bigger on the pot, then go for it. I am about to spring for SS 15 gallon pot.

 

[chickypad]

You can top off all grain batches, though you may lose some efficiency and it may be hard to do high gravity beers. I usually do 3 gal batches in my 5 gal pot but occasionally do 5 gal batches topping off with water. You need to tell Beersmith what to do - modify an equipment profile to fit your needs. You will want to choose a batch size of 3 gals and then enter top off water, you'll have to figure out how much you can boil but will probably need to top off with at least a gallon. You can add sparge wort as you go also, maybe increasing your boil time. Or you can do a partial mash and add a little DME as well as top off water.

 

[kh54s10]

You could top up, but that is a bit of complicated thing to figure out. You need to brew a little stronger then dilute to a certain OG.

You will need a 5 gallon pot to do a 3 gallon boil. Depending on your heat you will boil off between 3/4 gallon to 2 gallons per hour. You start off with more wort than you will end up with but you also need some space for foam that forms at the beginning of a boil. At least 3-4 inches in the top of the kettle.

You can get a 5 gallon pot at the grocery store for about $20. Aluminum is OK if you passivate it. Boil a pot full of water to create an oxidized layer, do not scrub off the gray color.

 

[chickypad]

You could top up, but that is a bit of complicated thing to figure out. You need to brew a little stronger then dilute to a certain OG.

It's actually not complicated at all. If I want 5 gals of 1.050 beer I brew 3 gals of 1.083 wort (5 x 50=250 gravity pts / 3 = 83). But if using Beersmith just put in your top off volume and it will calculate everything. If you want to brew bigger batches on a regular basis I agree it's probably worth it to get a bigger pot but it can easily be done if you want to give it a go.

 

[SHbrewing]

It's actually not complicated at all. If I want 5 gals of 1.050 beer I brew 3 gals of 1.083 wort (5 x 50=250 gravity pts / 3 = 83). But if using Beersmith just put in your top off volume and it will calculate everything. If you want to brew bigger batches on a regular basis I agree it's probably worth it to get a bigger pot but it can easily be done if you want to give it a go.

Where do I find top off volume within the recipe?

 

[kh54s10]

It's actually not complicated at all. If I want 5 gals of 1.050 beer I brew 3 gals of 1.083 wort (5 x 50=250 gravity pts / 3 = 83). But if using Beersmith just put in your top off volume and it will calculate everything. If you want to brew bigger batches on a regular basis I agree it's probably worth it to get a bigger pot but it can easily be done if you want to give it a go.

I agree that it is not too complicated for someone with some experience but I would not suggest that procedure for a beginner,

 

[chickypad]

Where do I find top off volume within the recipe?

In the equipment profile, on the right under fermentation there is a top up water field. Or you can go to the volumes page. You want the fermenter top up not kettle top up, that is pre-boil.