blakelyc

Recipes 

Hi folks! The next step in my brewing education is to go to full-volume boils for 5-gallon batches. Right now I do partial-boil extract batches at that size. I am debating between 8 and 10 gallon kettles.

When I do full-volume 1-gallon batches all-grain biab I get a boil off of about .7 gallons/hr using my turkey fryer.

Any opinions out there on which size is best? Also, any opinions on various add-ins like valves, thermometers, etc., are greatly appreciated.

AnOldUR

Recipes 

15

__________________
It’s best to brew dark beer at night, because that way the darkness gets into the beer. —Bohuslav Hlavsa

FATC1TY

Recipes 

I bought a 12 I think it was from a 7... I can do big stouts and sparge off like 8-9 gallons of wort for a 90-120 min boil easily with no boil overs to date.

I'd go bigger than you plan. I would have, but opted for what I got because of the price, and it being SS.

A valve is a must, IMO.. Thermometer is not needed. A boil is a boil, IMO. Finding out what the temp is when you cool would be nice, but I can sanitize my therma pen and grab that number in 3 seconds.

The rest of the additions on a kettle are just there for ease or to feel good about. A sight gauge would be nice, other than that.. skip the crap and make beer, IMO.

__________________
----------
Bubba's Backyard Brewery

Nagorg

Recipes 

This 11 gallon kettle has a good price tag and works great for 5 gallon batches.

http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-1044-44-Quart-Stainless-Steel/dp/B000VXHKMC/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1350862470&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=bayou+classic+44+qt

blakelyc

Recipes 

A thermapen is definitely on the wish list along with this kettle purchase. It is expensive, but between beer and the BBQ pit it is totally gonna be worth it.

Great price on that bayou classic 44qt pot. For the valve, is it as simple as drilling a hole with a stepper bit and putting in a weldless bulkhead?

FATC1TY

Recipes 

Grab a therma pen when they do a sale, and grab that 44qt. Plenty big enough for 5 gal batches that can handle all a 10g igloo cooler can toss at it.

__________________
----------
Bubba's Backyard Brewery

The_Canmancan

Recipes 

10-15 gallon pot will work best. I bought an 8 gallon when I made the leap to full volume boils and wish I had bought bigger. Eventually ended up with a 15 gallon BK.

broadbill

Recipes 

15 gal....you can always boil smaller volumes in a larger kettle, but not vice versa. Take it from those of us who under-bought and had to buy again. Buy the right size the first time.

Nagorg

Recipes 

Remember.... You will probably want an HLT at some point. In that case, you can repurpose your smaller kettle most likely! (Buy 11 gallon kettle now and use it for HLT when you get a 15-20 gallon kettle...)

Doed

Recipes 

I'd go with a 15 gallon pot as well.

As far as Therma Pens, they have some limited edition ones on sale right now and in cool camoflauge for $89