BIAB kettle dimensions

[andycook]

I thought I read once that a taller and more narrow grain column aids/increases efficiency. Do BIABers adhere to that or is it just personal preference for kettle dimensions? I'm thinking/dreaming of going from a 10 gallon pot to a 15 gallon pot. Thanks.

-Andy

 

[mj1angier]

I think a tall pot is better than a short round pot. I don't think the bag cares, if you use a bag. I use a basket with a bag liner for my 20 gal pot and just a mesh basket for my 10 gallon pot. If I had only one pot, 15 gallon tall would be what I got. Big enough to put a high SG beer in but small enough to do a mall batch in

 

[andycook]

I mash and boil in the same pot if that makes a difference.

 

[MaxStout]

A kettle with a greater height to width ratio will generally have less boiloff per hour (less surface area of liquid). But that's not going to be a factor in efficiency.

Now comes the fun part. Choosing a 15g kettle. It doesn't have to be fancy, nor expensive.

 

[BeardedBrews]

Taller and skinny (keg) is harder to clean the bottom than short and fat (Concord). The short fat kettle will feel much more empty when doing a small boil compared to a skinny kettle.

 

[andycook]

Thanks. It will come down to best price when I finally get to the point of pulling the trigger.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Taller and skinny (keg) is harder to clean the bottom than short and fat (Concord). The short fat kettle will feel much more empty when doing a small boil compared to a skinny kettle.

Most common brew kettles follow the 1.2 ratio height to width. The concord is more square w/ a 1.0 height to width. Typical 15 gallon size at 1.2 would be 16w X 19h whereas a concord would be 17 X 17, what I consider more of a "square" kettle.

Difference between a 1.2 and a 1.0 is not that significant IMO, I would avoid if possible the extreme short fat kettles, unless inexpensive or free.

Short fat IMO would be the older mega pots at 19w X 12h for a 15 gal.