Small Pot/Kettle - 30lts (8 US gal)
If you already had a pot of this size, then consider using this for your first few brews. You can still mash a standard 5% ABV beer in this pot but you will need to use considerable top-up water during the boil and also in your fermenter. If your tap water tastes fine, then this need not be a big issue especially when you are just starting out in all-grain. If your tap water is not great, then boil enough for top-up water the night before.
Medium Pot/Kettle – 50lts (13 US gal)
This is a comfortable size kettle with which to brew single batches even those with very high ABV. In some countries, kegs of this size may be bought cheaply which makes this size quite popular but you will still need to keep a close eye on the kettle to avoid boil-overs and double batches in this size pot is stretching the limits – you will need a lot of top up water.
Large Pot/Kettle – 70lts (18.5 US gal)
For those who have decided to purchase a kettle then BIABrewer highly recommends this size. A 70lt pot will give you peace of mind brewing a single batch – no top-up water, very low chance of boil-overs and is still an easy size to handle. It will also allow you to you to brew a double-batch with minimum of discomfort though you will have to watch the pot somewhat and add may have to add a tad of top up water during the boil. This pot is a great all-rounder.
I started BIAB doing partial water volume mashes in a 7.5 gallon pot and heating sparge water in a 4 gallon pot then batch sparging back into the 7.5 gallon pot for a full-volume boil.
BetterSense said:I was worried about my 7.5 gallon turkey fryer not being big enough, but I just brewed a 1.050 beer with an 11lb grain bill and it was really no problem. A bigger one would be better so I would recommend a 10gallon if you are buying a new one.
What size bag are you using?
For those who don't have the steamer basket in your BIAB pot, do you miss it?
I thought about the wording as I hit enter.
Take two:
For those of you who don't have the steamer basket, do you find yourself wishing you had a basket to help with lifting the grain bag?
For those who don't have the steamer basket in your BIAB pot, do you miss it?
wilserbrewer said:I have a couple of strainer baskets, never use them...
aubiecat said:I like using my steamer basket because when I am done mashing I can pull the basket up and sit it tilted in the top of the kettle while the wort drains.
christpuncher123 said:Get a keg! I find them all the time for $20. They hold the heat alot better than a thin kettle and they are bullet proof!
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