Double yer pleasure

[michaewa]

I currently brew extract kits in 5 gallon batches, and do a full boil in a turkey fryer.

I'm considering doubling the batches to avoid running out of beers that keep tasting better as my supply dwindles. It also seems I would realize some efficiency in terms of brewing time, liquid yeast cost, etc.

My options seem to be doing a partial boil of two kits at once, splitting into two primary fermentors, and topping up with water OR getting a much bigger brewpot (converted keg) and doing full 10 gallon (or more) boils.

Any extract brewers done / considered this? Any thoughts?

[wortchillergoal]

I would only comment about the yeast. You might have a long lag time if you only pitch one tube or package. It would take awhile before they reproduced enough to give you a good, strong fermentation. If you make a starter, then this may not be as much of a problem.

[sullydavid]

I am an extract brewer myself and I have done this several times. The beer came out fine. The only issue you have is that due to having such a higher gravity you will have to raise the amount of hops. By doubling all ingredients you would have to more than double the hops. Adjust accordingly and all should be well.

Some people will tell you that the beer will end up a little darker due to extra carmelization, but I am not a color guy. Taste and smell good? Then it is good for me.

[b3s]

as far as carmelization goes...stir often or add the extract at the end.

yeah, you'll want to double all of your ingredients...hops...extract...grains...adjuncts.. .except for the irish moss.

[croc4]

I actually did this for my last batch, I was doing 5gal extract batches and found as you have that the beer doesn't last too long, so 10gal was the next logical step. I went to a restaurant supply house and picked up a 60qt pot, and then drilled a hole for a spigot. So far (1 10gal batch under my belt) everything seems fine. I did as others have suggested and doubled everything. For my starter I also doubled that also to get more yeast for pitching.

Things I found on my first batch:

10 gal of wort is Fu&*$# heavy!, I have since gone to a counter flow chiller connected to the spigot (this will get its maiden voyage on my next batch.
So you will need to come up with a strategy for this

My turkey fryer had some trouble heating 10gal to boiling or an hour, I had to keep the pot partially covered.
I have upgraded my fryer from 130K BTU to 170K BTU, hopefully this is do the trick. if not is was only $20 at lowes. I am going to use my old fryer and pot for the steeping process while I do the boil on the main pot, this should shave off ~30mins of brew time.
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[bigmf]

Getting 10 gallons to a boil is going to probably double your time anyway, so why not do two consecutive batches on the same day?