any programs that scale down 5 gallon recipes to fit in lbk

[rave808]

I have some 5 gallon extract recipes and was wondering if there are any programs out there that if I enter in the ingredients for a 5 gallon recipe it will scale down to a Mr beer lbk size recipe.

[Gymrat]

For free brewmate or brewtarget will do it. If you don't mind paying $20 give or take beersmith absolutely ROCKS!

[RickBeer]

It's quite simple actually. What you want to do is make 2.5 gallon batches, because the LBK holds 2.5 gallons just fine. Simply divide everything by 2 as far as ingredients goes.

You should measure your LBK with the largest accurate device you have, and find the 2.5 gallon mark. Also, make sure you ferment either in a cooler / Rubbermaid tub or on a cookie sheet so if there is minor overflow you don't have a mad SWMBO.

You can also make the entire recipe and split it into two LBKs to ferment. I've done several batches that way.

[Brewbirds]

BeerSmith will convert for you and there is a free trial version online (21 days?).

Also if you are splitting batches and haven't ordered the kit yet you might ask them to separate the grains for you so you can divide them equally and make sure they are milled for you.

[rave808]

thanx for info everyone

[jimjohson]

+1 on rickbeer's answer it's exactly what i did before buying beersmith

[Fishybrewer]

I use Brewtoad to scale down recipes.

[DaYooper]

Also keep in mind that one nice thing about the LBKs is you can do a 5 gallon recipe, split into two, and make some modifications between the two to see what differences certain ingredients make such as trying two different yeasts, dry hopping with two different hops (or not at all with one), etc. It is a great learning tool where you are comparing beers of equal age and not modifications made weeks or months apart.