Newb Questions

[Phil]

I purchased one of these 3 years ago, use it every 2 weeks and have not had to replace it yet. Just rinse it out well after each use and your golden. Hope this helps.

http://morebeer.com/view_product/15689/ ... _24_Medium

oh yeah. this thing is great for the mash. i'm in a condo and can't wash things or dump anything outside (no yard) so having this bag in my mash tun makes it really easy to dispose of the grain. it would totally work for hops too.

i think it's important to have a big bag for your hops to increase their contact with the wort and get the most utilization you can. those small socks have to be hurting your utilization.

[Brew Swillis]

wow, thanks everyone! One step closer and Im feeling much more confident without even starting!!

[BlueLoon]

One other benefit of smaller batches is its easier to do full volume boils. I do 3 gal and 2 gal batches all the time in my 4 gallon pot on the stove. I like the variety. For scaling I use a site like http://hopville.com to enter/save the recipe and scale according to percentages and ratios. I do ferment 3 gallons in my 5 gallon carboy to leave plenty of head space. I ferment 2 gallons in my 3 gallon carboy.... Ditto on adding some extract up front and then some towards the 10min time.
For priming I use a priming calculator like http://hbd.org/cgi-bin/recipator/recipator/carbonation.html?9778299#tag.

[siwelwerd]

I dont really have a bunch of people to spread the 5 gallon love to

From someone who's been there before, trust me, that's not a long term problem

[Fritz Eye]

One other benefit of smaller batches is its easier to do full volume boils. I do 3 gal and 2 gal batches all the time in my 4 gallon pot on the stove. I like the variety. For scaling I use a site like http://hopville.com to enter/save the recipe and scale according to percentages and ratios. I do ferment 3 gallons in my 5 gallon carboy to leave plenty of head space. I ferment 2 gallons in my 3 gallon carboy.... Ditto on adding some extract up front and then some towards the 10min time.
For priming I use a priming calculator like http://hbd.org/cgi-bin/recipator/recipator/carbonation.html?9778299#tag.

+1,... 2.5 gallons batches are easy, plus the carboys are much lighter and easier to store.
I did this one summer in a 5 gallon pot and immestion chiller set up.
If you want to do all grain, you can easily mash in a large pot in your oven.
Buy your self a an extra bottling bucket and large nylon sack and do you sparge in the new bucket, but do not use your botling bucket for this if you do this route. You can check out B3's web site for "mini mash" instructions to do this. Since you are only doing 2.5 gallons you can go all grain.
Another plus is that if you bottle, you will only need about 14-15 bombers.
Brew on.