Full Boil...Smaller Batch?

[IndianaPaleAle]

So I want to do a full-boil, but my gas stove sucks apparently, as it can not get 5 gallons in my brew kettle (8 gal) up to boil very easily...or at all for that matter. I can't quite afford the outdoor propane burner just yet (although it is in the near future). However, logically, I should be able to cut the recipe in half so I'm only a brewing 2.5 gallon batch, but still reaping the benefits of a full boil.

Does anyone have experience/recomendations with doing smaller batches like this? Or even better yet, could anyone point me in the direction of some smaller recipes?

[TheDarkSide]

Brewing programs like Beersmith will help you scale down recipes. You can try it out free for 21 days.

Since you're doing extract, I suspect you could cover you pot to bring it to boil since DMS wouldn't be a huge issue. Just make sure to keep a close eye on it.

Just as a note, the Bayou Classic burners are about $40 with free shipping fom Amazon. This is what I have an it works great.

[a10t2]

Yup, no problem doing a smaller batch. Assuming the recipe you're using was formulated for a full boil, you can just cut everything in half.

It isn't free, but for roughly the same price as a burner you could build a heatstick and not have to worry about propane at all. That would probably let you do a full boil on your stove in a reasonable amount of time.

Are you near Indianapolis? I won't be brewing for 2-3 months, so you could borrow a propane burner while you save your pennies.

[IndianaPaleAle]

Oh geez, I didn't realize burners were so inexpensive. The only ones I could find were $80+ at the sporting goods store. Very cool. And I live in Fort Wayne...so I'm not that close...but seriously, thank you for the offer! Hopefully I'll be getting that burner come next paycheck! As far as Beersmith goes, I actually own it. I just haven't had the time to sit down and figure it out yet.

Thanks for the help. I love this community.

[Dirk McLargeHuge]

On one of the other podcasts {whisper}Basic Brewing{/whisper}, they routinely do 1 gallon batches. I've thought about doing it, but have never tried it.

[TheDarkSide]

On one of the other podcasts {whisper}Basic Brewing{/whisper}, they routinely do 1 gallon batches. I've thought about doing it, but have never tried it.

Yeah, but that's like what...1 night beer supply. Why bother?

[Dirk McLargeHuge]

On one of the other podcasts {whisper}Basic Brewing{/whisper}, they routinely do 1 gallon batches. I've thought about doing it, but have never tried it.

Yeah, but that's like what...1 night beer supply. Why bother?

Exactly!

[dmtaylor]

I've brewed all 3-gallon batches for years. It's easy to scale down your favorite recipes. 2.5 gallons would be even easier because you can just cut everything in half. But I find that I run out of my favorite beers way too quickly if I'm only getting 20-some bottles versus 30 bottles.