How large of a BK do you need for 5 gallon BIAB?

I was looking at the 10 gallon Boilermaker but worried the grain bag would take up too much space. I am also concerned the 15 gallon would be too large and the wort level may drop below the thermometer late in the boil.

Most people use a 10-12 gallon pot for 5 gallon BIAB batches. I use a 44 qt (11 gallon) Bayou Classic pot for BIAB and the largest starting volumes I ever start with are around 7.2 gallons, so there is always plenty of space.

Good luck!

I have a 15 gallon Boilermaker, and yes the wort can fall below the thermometer on a 5 Gallon batch, but if it is boiling who cares. I use a secondary thermometer when cooling. A 10 gallon is going to be tight for bigger beers with a full volume BIAB, and with the 15 you can squezze in a small 10 gallon batch if you want. If I was going to do it again I would still go with the 15. You can custom order one with the thermometer whole a little lower on the kettle if you really want it.

I started with a Bayou Classic 9g and it was great for extract, I used it for my first BIAB and it was a success but I still want to go to 15g for bigger beers and batches. At first I regretted not going to 11g first but now I want to go bigger, your kettle is an investment that should last. My 9g handled 12.5 lbs no problem.

I recommend the Can I Mash it tool from here: http://www.rackers.org/calcs.shtml/

TopherM said:

Most people use a 10-12 gallon pot for 5 gallon BIAB batches. I use a 44 qt (11 gallon) Bayou Classic pot for BIAB and the largest starting volumes I ever start with are around 7.2 gallons, so there is always plenty of space.

Good luck!

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I use the same for my BIAB. The last two beers (10% Barleywine & RIS) have made me wish I had a 15g pot. Overall though, I'm quite happy with my 11G bayou classic. A 15g pot might leave too much headroom during the mash making it difficult to maintain a steady mash temp without adding some fire. Right now, that's not a problem I have to deal with.

10 gallons is a good size IMO...even w/ a 20 lb grainbill you can strike w/ oveer 8 gallons and collect over 6 w/ a full infusion. For huge beers you might consider a dunk sparge as well...then you have plenty of pot.

10 is the perfect size for normal gravities, and for huge beers a dunk sparge will help w/ efficiency.

I use a 13.5 gal keggle and line a turkey straining basket with my bag. I made feet for the basket out of 1.5" ss bolts, it keeps the top of the basket just above the wort level with 12lbs of grain and 9 gal of water.

wilserbrewer said:

10 gallons is a good size IMO...even w/ a 20 lb grainbill you can strike w/ oveer 8 gallons and collect over 6 w/ a full infusion. For huge beers you might consider a dunk sparge as well...then you have plenty of pot.

10 is the perfect size for normal gravities, and for huge beers a dunk sparge will help w/ efficiency.

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Thanks., can you elaborate a little more on a dunk sparge?

wilserbrewer said:

10 gallons is a good size IMO...even w/ a 20 lb grainbill you can strike w/ oveer 8 gallons and collect over 6 w/ a full infusion. For huge beers you might consider a dunk sparge as well...then you have plenty of pot.

10 is the perfect size for normal gravities, and for huge beers a dunk sparge will help w/ efficiency.

Click to expand...

Thanks, can you elaborate a bit more on the dunk sparge?

Yes, it is a second rinsing of the grain in a second pot / bucket whatever you have....pull the bag out ot the kettle and put it in another pot or bucket...stir grain well to rinse and remove bag....combine both worts and boil..