I've been using a 4 gallon stainless steel stockpot for brewing and am seriously considering an upgrade in my brewing equipment. Even with 2.0 to 2.5 gallon boils, I have had issues with boilovers and I'm really tired of it.
Ultimately, I would like the flexibility to be able to do full 10 gallon boils of high gravity wort - barleywines, imperial stouts, that sort of thing. Obviously, I'll be moving outside onto a propane burner of some sort.
I'm tentatively considering two pots - for the larger, high gravity brews, I'm thinking about a 20 gallon Blichmann Boilermaker. I've absolutely had it with boilovers and I want to be able to split 10 gallon batches with a buddy of mine.
For normal, 5 gallon batches, I'm looking at a Polarware 10 gallon boil kettle, since a Blichmann 10 gallon pot is really pricey.
Here are my thoughts:
Anyway, that's more or less what I'm thinking - anyone have some advice on what I'm thinking? I'd like to do as much as I can to avoid buyer's remorse. Thanks.
Ultimately, I would like the flexibility to be able to do full 10 gallon boils of high gravity wort - barleywines, imperial stouts, that sort of thing. Obviously, I'll be moving outside onto a propane burner of some sort.
I'm tentatively considering two pots - for the larger, high gravity brews, I'm thinking about a 20 gallon Blichmann Boilermaker. I've absolutely had it with boilovers and I want to be able to split 10 gallon batches with a buddy of mine.
For normal, 5 gallon batches, I'm looking at a Polarware 10 gallon boil kettle, since a Blichmann 10 gallon pot is really pricey.
Here are my thoughts:
- Blichmann recommends a 2X expected volume - 10 gallons of barleywine leads to a 20 gallon boil kettle. I saw one of these yesterday and it was big. Am I insane?
- The sight glass on the Blichmann worries me - is leaking or breaking it something I need to worry about or am I just being paranoid?
- I don't plan to do full 5 gallon boils on my stove, but I'd like to preheat my strike water on my stove, so I'll use the 10 gallon pot for that
Anyway, that's more or less what I'm thinking - anyone have some advice on what I'm thinking? I'd like to do as much as I can to avoid buyer's remorse. Thanks.