Equipment and Batch Sizes

[Col Holloway]

I have been brewing extract for a long time. I have decided to skip the partial mash and go for AG.
I was lucky enough to receive my AG equipment for Xmas - however, Santa only provided a 5G kettle. I also have a 5G Aluminium turkey cooker.
I have converted a 10G rubbermaid cooler into my mash tun, complete with SS braid filter and ball valve.
It is now time to take the plunge and start brewing again - this time AG not extract. I have done alot of research and am getting my head around BS2
I believe I have a few options for brewing, those being:
1. brew a smaller batch with higher grain bill and dilute after boiling (sacrifice some efficiency).
2. brew a smaller (3.5G) batch and be done with it.
3. brew 2 batches and decoct both into the fermenter.

Is there a better, or worse option from these three?
What is the general consensus on Aluminium pots?
Am I better going with a 5G equipment profile (and not including the 10G mash tun) in BS2
Advice/opinions are welcome - thanks

[PhotogScott]

I have the exact same mash tun setup.  Now that you can do big volume mashes, I recommend investing in a large pot. Brew day will be less complicated.  For all the planning and labor needed to brew all-grain, do you really want to end up with 3.5 Gal? You can mash up to 23 pounds of grain!

 I have a converted keg and a 25 gal  aluminum pot. I love the aluminum pot because I boil faster and cool faster. Saves time, water, and propane!  Aluminum of course is more affordable especially when you get to these big volumes.

[Myk]

Option 4.
Brew 4.5 gallons of concentrated wort and top up to dilute to the FG in the fermenter. I did this for a couple years, although 5 gallons in a 5.5 gallon pot.

Option 5
Get a 30qt aluminum turkey fryer pot.

No problem with aluminum. Boil it full of water first and don't scrub the oxidation out of it.

Make your own equipment profile.

[Col Holloway]

Thanks for the input - now to design that first recipe

[Maine Homebrewer]

I've gone the multiple batch off the same mash route and it took all the fun out of the brew day.

Check this place out and see if you can't find a bigger pot.

http://www.homebrewfinds.com/

[Col Holloway]

finding the bigger pot is no problem - just want to show the dearly beloved Santa that I appreciate her gift, despite asking for a 10G....baby steps. Brew a couple of small brews and then maybe a 10G pot for my b'day (along with a grain mill and keg system)

How did the multi batch (decoction) take the fun out of brew day - would be interested to know the adv and disadv of this method

Have checked out the link, many bargains. The birthday wish list grows

[Maine Homebrewer]

Here's what I did. I turned a relaxing brew day into work in an effort to use "wasted" time.

heat strike water for batch 1, mash
heat strike water for batch 2
mash batch 2, sparge batch 1
boil batch 1, sparge batch 2
boil batch 2, chill batch 1
clean up after batch 1, chill batch 2
clean up after batch 2

I was able to do two five gallon batches in one day, but it sucked. Big time.