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BucksPA · 06-11-2010, 10:24 PM

i wanna do a 11 gallon batch this weekend and beersmith shows a 14.5 gallon boil. will this be ok in my 15.5 gallon keggle?

cascades/orange pale ale listed in the recipe database. 12 oz cascades (2 oz fwh, 2 oz 10, 2 oz 5, 2 oz 1 min), whirlfloc, 4 oz orange zest, and 2 oz coriander in boil.

***Yooper*** · 06-11-2010, 10:27 PM

Well, it depends on how close you watch it! If you use ferm-cap, that would help. I've boiled over a 5 gallon batch in my keggle, so it's possible! Today, my boil volume was 12 gallons, and it came close to boiling over a few times. If you stand there with a spray bottle, and turn the heat off/down when it threatens to boil over, you might be ok. I personally wouldn't go over 13 gallons in my keggle.

BucksPA · 06-11-2010, 10:41 PM

hmmmm..i guess you learn from experience (i had my lhbs mix all the grains into one bag) so i think my only options are to 1), overshoot OG and go higher on the alcohol content using less water, 2.) do a 60 minute boil vs a 90 minute boil (13.3 gallons vs 14.5) or 3.) top up after boil

what would you do yooperbrew?

sjlammer · 06-11-2010, 11:39 PM

I have a keggle. Max i put in there is 13.5 gallons, and I use fermcap during the boil, and turn down the boil kettle (electric).

I would either top up at the end, or top up a bit at a time starting at the 30 minute mark. save yourself the hassel so you can relax during the boil.

Shaggyt · 06-11-2010, 11:49 PM

I have pushed the envelope in my keggle several times, boiling close to full capacity, around 14.5+ (not sure on the measurement). Like Yooper states, watch it carefully...keep your flame low when you approach boil temps, then crank it up as time passes and hot break dissipates.

I don't spray or use any de-foaming additives (not that there's anything wrong with that). Allow for at least 90 minute boil...that will help with reducing your wort for more vigorous boil for 60 min. My last batch like this was a 120 min boil...hops started at 90min

**arturo7** · 06-11-2010, 11:57 PM

I would re-check your calcs in Beersmith.

3.5 gallons of boil-off seems a bit high. A keggle typically loses about 1.5 gallons per hour. I have no problem with 11 gallon batches in mine.

**Bobby_M** · 06-12-2010, 12:29 AM

I agree. 1.5g an hour is typical for me. Beersmith uses boiloff as a percentage which is a bad move on the developer's part.

BucksPA · 06-12-2010, 01:18 AM

beersmith calcs have worked just right for me. remember, 3.5 gallons is for 90 minutes and 2.5 for 60 minutes. i calculate evaporation from first boiling bubble to the end, so maybe thats why i get a higher evaporation rate. maybe some people are calculating evaporation rate from burner ignition to the end.

i may try a 60 minute boil with 13.5 gallons and see what happens or just try 10 gallons and top up after hot break...havent decided yet.

**mrgstiffler** · 06-12-2010, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YooperBrew

Well, it depends on how close you watch it! If you use ferm-cap, that would help. I've boiled over a 5 gallon batch in my keggle, so it's possible! Today, my boil volume was 12 gallons, and it came close to boiling over a few times. If you stand there with a spray bottle, and turn the heat off/down when it threatens to boil over, you might be ok. I personally wouldn't go over 13 gallons in my keggle.

Spray bottle? How does that work? Do you just spray water into the kettle as it's foaming up?

**Ohio-Ed** · 06-12-2010, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrgstiffler

Spray bottle? How does that work? Do you just spray water into the kettle as it's foaming up?

Yep... it will usually kill the foam almost instantly (if its a real vigorous boil it can be more of a challenge).