Pot Size

So, I've been pondering my problems acheiving a full rolling boil and I am wondering if it is because my kettle was too wide. I'm thinking about purchasing a 16 qt SS pot and using 2 gal of water for my wort. Any thought?

Are you putting your pot on a stove or an outdoor burner?

Gas burner in my kitchen, outside is not an option (city living dontcha know).

Bummer, the answer is in the btu's. Figured you were indoors, outdoors is the way to go with a big burner. There are definate advantages to a full boil as opposed to a 2 gallon boil. I think you'd be disappointed with a smaller boil. I'd try maybe a bigger pot (wider) so it could sit on 2 of your stoves burners. Maybe you can find something big enough or someone else will have another idea.


cheers, loop

A narrower pot will make for a better boil, when you're stuck with a small burner. It will also boil over faster, but with gas that isn't as big a problem as an electric stove.

Thanks for the advice, I'm going to attempt using a 16 qt. pot next brew, if it boils over, I'll know it's too small, if not, perfect.

btw, awesome avatar David.

TheJadedDog said:

Thanks for the advice, I'm going to attempt using a 16 qt. pot next brew, if it boils over, I'll know it's too small, if not, perfect.

btw, awesome avatar David.

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I use a 16 qt pot on my electric apt stove and have never had a boil-over. It takes awhile to boil, but once it gets going, it boils nicely but barely even needs to be watched. It's never gotten remotely close to the top and I always start with 2 gal (before adding extract).

TheJadedDog said:

Gas burner in my kitchen, outside is not an option (city living dontcha know).

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What does city living have to do with anything? I live in a huge metropolitan area (Alexandria, just outside of Washington DC) AND on the seventh floor of my apartment building. I do all grain, full boils outside on my balcony all the time.

Well I live in Providence, RI with no balcony or outside area in which to brew.

btw, where in Alexandria, I used to live in Landmark

TheJadedDog said:

Well I live in Providence, RI with no balcony or outside area in which to brew.

btw, where in Alexandria, I used to live in Landmark

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That's my locale. I live maybe a five minute walk from Landmark Mall, less if the light up on Van Dorn Street is green when I get up there.