Large Pot!!!

You only need such a large pot if you are doing "full boils." A Full Boil is when you boil your entire 5+ gallons (usually about 6.5 or 7 gallons to boil down to 5). This is usually done by full-grain brewers.

If you are doing extract brewing (as most all beginners do), you won't need such a large pot. A 5 gallon pot will do, and perhaps even a

3 gallon. With extract, you'll be boiling a portion to dissolve your extract and add hops and other flavorings, then mix it with cold water in your fermenter. However, if you got an 8 gallon pot now, you'd have it for when you move to all grain in the near future! :)

On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 18:29:02 -0000, Derric said in alt.beer.home-brewing:

The difference between partial boil and full boil has nothing to do with extract vs. all grain, it has to do with whether you want to make the best beer you can.

Also, it's much easier to dissolve 6 pounds (or more) of DME in 6-1/2 gallons of water than it is to dissolve it in 3 gallons. That last pound or 2 get difficult in a smaller amount of water.

It does come into play if I might say. You can't do partial boil all grain batch. Steve W.

Sure you can, your efficiency just goes down. I did partial boil AG for the first couple years I did AG.

----------->Denny

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 02:19:50 GMT, "QD Steve" said in alt.beer.home-brewing:

True. But the difference - if you have a choice - is that a full boil makes a better beer.

Then, again, one could probably make a 1.100 wort all grain, boil it and add water after the boil to make a 5% (roughly) ABV beer. :) I don't know why anyone would want to, but one could.

Think I am going to just start with using extract to begin with. This way (from what I understand) I can just use kits.

Once I am comfortable with the whole process and am making beers that taste okay without too much problem, then I may invest in a Brew Kettle. At the moment, to buy one now is a little outside of my intended budget for starting off.

Once I have a little more spare cash, more confidence and have convinced the wife that I am serious about Home Brew, then I can start to increase my investments.

The Beginners Kit I am buying will come with the following -

Fermentation bin;

5 Gallon barrel with vent cap (The picture looks like it has a bottom tap) Syphon Steriliser Hydrometer, Thermometer Beer Paddle Bitter Concentrate.

I was thinking about getting a Heating Belt. Is this worthwhile? Also, is there anything else that I should consider getting?

Thanks, Simon

No, don't use a heat belt. You'll likely have the best results fermenting in the mid 60s F. A belt makes the beer too warm and creates off flavors. Read the info at

and then buy a copy of the book.

-------->Denny

Have started to read that guide and I didn't realise how much there was to take in. Initially my only experience was my dad making beer using kits. I never realised that it could go beyond that to the extent that it so obviously does. Reading this has got me hooked, but I am not sure if I have information overload at this early stage.... I think that it is going to be better for me to read it again once I have everything I need.

Yeah, I'm sure that will help! I'd really suggest you purchase a copy, too, so you can have it with you when you brew. There are a lot of philosophies about making beer...as is said "It's only rocket science if you want it to be"! But if you care about getting the best out of the time, effort, and money you spend, it's worth it to put a little effort into learning.

------->Denny