moving up to 10 gall AG

Hey everyone,

Haven't posted in awhile as my 3 kids keep me busy but they're playing well right now and I have a need for some info. I've searched and read the pertinent posts but figured a summary post would be valuable to more folks than just myself given the interest I've seen.

So, I have a ghetto 5 gallon AG setup:
7.5 gal cheap kettle
turkey cooker propane burner
25' chiller
5 gall cooler MLT with phalse bottom
2 cornies
6 and 5 gal carboys

I want to up to 10 gallon keeping the budget low.

I'd like a keggle but have no 'connections' or 'skilz with welding stainless' but realize I at least need a bigger kettle and MLT.

I like the cooler MLT and will prolly just replace with larger cooler/bottom.

$300 bucks for 15 gallon brewpot seems high, maybe finding keggle is worth it?

I plan on splitting fermentation between 2 carboys so will by 2 more (unless you have better ideas?)

I really get a lot from these fora (forums?) and appreciate your help/opinions/ideas/share time.

Oh, on a side note - I just moved and have an extra fridge set up in my garage so I can just go 15 feet and get a cold draught. No more adventures through the earthen basement!!!!!

Again, extra special props to HBT for helping me answer all my ghetto brewery questions and for the continuing education!


MM

I just bought a 20 gallon pot so I could do 10 gallon or 15 gallon batches.

I did a google search and came up with Instawares.com. A 60 quart pot was somewhere around $50 and a 80 quart was $90 shipped.

thanks, rich, that's a lot less than the megapots/similar (obviously). What about lifting the ~100 lbs if not drilled or will you just siphon?


mm

i checked and $90 pot is aluminum which raises another question. I currently have aluminum pot and used one step and of course oxidized the al turning it black. I still use it and don't think it has an effect but I also have nearly burned through the bottom. I'm guessing stainless is the way to go. Instawares has the 80 qt ss for $220.

I got my 25 gallon SS kettle for under $200 shipped. I'll try to find the link to the eBay'er I got it from.

thanks - i found a 15 gallon with ball valve at morebeer (free shipping) for 165.

mm

inline water filter

I recently moved up to ten gallon batches too.
I have a converted keg for a boil pot and also one for the MT.
The keg is just big enough for a ten gallon batch. You will most likely be boiling 12 or 13 gallons which does not leave much extra cushion. Also your burner may be a little borderline for that much liquid.
The bottom line is I wish I had bought a 25 gallon brew pot in the first place and I just ordered a banjo burner to kick up the boil.
Don't settle for "that will probably do" you will be glad you didn't in the long run.
Darrell

Also moving to 10g..

I got a 20 gallon ss pot (king kooker) @ Academy sports for ~160.

If you need a new burner check @ home depot, sturdier than most I've seen
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100121665

The base looks nice and sturdy, but that burner only puts out 55k BTU. Is that sufficient for 10 gallon batches?

I just picked up a 20 gallon brewpot (converted medical oxygen tank), and am in the market for a new burner and stand because my turkey fryer isn't going to cut it...

The Banjo burner (Bayou Classic KAB4) costs a bit more, but provides 4x the heat.

Jester369 said:

I got my 25 gallon SS kettle for under $200 shipped. I'll try to find the link to the eBay'er I got it from.

Click to expand...

That's a whopper!! Cute kids, too, BTW, made for a cute photo!

Here's a nice kettle, just under 19 gals, stainless, 100 bucks: http://cgi.ebay.com/75-Quart-Heavy-...ryZ20631QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem