brewing 3 or 5 gallons of kombucha with one scoby?

[waverly]

Hi there,

My family is loving our kombucha so much that we're drinking it right away and then have to wait impatiently for another coupla weeks till the next batches are ready. I have 3 one-gallon jars, and of course could buy more (and more!) as my scobies multiply.

But I'm thinking about acquiring some 3 or even 5 gallon jars. How would my recipe change? Would I need 3 scobies for 3 gallons? Or just one scoby?

Thank you!
Waverly

[MINItron]

The scoby will grow to fill the container. Your first few ferments will take longer than normal as your scoby enlarges, but eventually it will be large enough to ferment the container in the usual time.

[TeresaRex]

I know it sounds mean but
Put it in the blender !

This changes the surface ratio and helps with larger batches
Be sure to keep your ratios the same
And most importantly add extra starter tea .

[tadpole]

I have never been successful at brewing large batches of kombucha. My wife has these lovely 3 gallon jars that she had shipped over from the Philippines. We have waited over a month and not had a good batch. On the other hand, when I use 1 gallon jars and fill them half way, I can get an excellent batch in less than 1 week!

I find it easier to manage smaller batches. Pouring in and out of the 3 gallon container was messy at best.

I would like to hear about your experiences with large batches of kombucha.

It's been a cold winter here in the Bay Area of California. I am using an inexpensive reptile mat to create a micro climate for brewing my 2 gallons of kombucha. I place the mat under a grocery bag to create a buffer between it and the glass. Keeps my kombucha brewing at 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

[MamaNess]

My wife has these lovely 3 gallon jars that she had shipped over from the Philippines. We have waited over a month and not had a good batch.

are you using a good amount of starter? Sometimes a nice aged starter helps too. Starter that has been sitting around for over a month.

What are the jars made of? Is there enough surface area? always make sure there is enough breathing space between the surface of the 'booch and the cloth cover...

[vortexforest]

Just cut the original mother into three pieces, put one piece in each bucket, and a cup of starter culture, and it'll ferment the same as any other gallon of kombucha. The piece will grow to the size of your bucket within 10 days, same as usual.