I've got a 2 gallon cooler with a SS braid that I use for making 1 gallon batches. It works no problem.
I used a 2-gallon Coleman drink cooler back when I used to Partial Mash. Pulled out the spout and replaced with an SS braid - worked great.
I see this 2 gallon Coleman at the Dollar General by my house- for $12... A good price?
Hokerer did you use a bung when you removed the spout? Please
esplain!
Anyway, I'm transitioning to smaller batches. Doing 2 gallons at a time seems to me more fun and less time consuming. Quite frankly
all the joy has gone out of the 9+ hour brew days and ending up with 12 gallons of so-so beer. I want to fine-tune my recipes and do some experimenting.
Cap's idea of the coffee-urn sounds interesting. With a thermostat controller it might be a good solution for some folks. The coffee pot approach seems a little iffy but OK if you only want two beers- which might be good for some flavor experimentation.