Is 80Qt. too big for a brew kettle?

[allanmac00]

Is it possible that an 80qt. kettle is too much for doing mostly 5 gallon batches? I know it sounds crazy, but I’m worried about things like, will a 5 gallon batch even cover the entire wort chiller in an 80qt. kettle? I’m looking at 80qt. in the even that I ever want to jump into 10 gallon batches. Any other concerns with this size pot?

Also do I need a lid?

 

[BendBrewer]

It's slight overkill but so what? I think 60qt is more ideal for 5 and 10 gallon batches if you have that option. That's what I use and start with 13+ gallons in my kettle.

 

[IrregularPulse]

covering the chiller with 5G could definitely be an issue. What are the inside dimensions of the pot? And how wide and tall is your chiller?

 

[paraordnance]

its way too big for just 5 gal batches, but it will work if you plan to do 10 gal in future

 

[BillmeyerBrewing]

It's pretty big, but if you ever want to do bigger batches you will never have to buy another kettle.

 

[tekknoschtev]

I've been debating this same question for quite a while now, my main concern being whether or not 10 gallon BIAB batches will work in a 60qt pot. I think it'd be close, or over on some recipes, but those larger grain bill recipes I'd probably only be brewing 5 gallons of anyway.

I can tell you though that when I moved from the turkey fryer (tall 7.5 gal) to the pot I have now (estimated around 12 gallons) the wort chiller does not have nearly the same contact area with the wort. I haven't actually used the chiller since it's been in the low double digits and my hoses freeze up leading to the chiller, but I can tell you that it wouldn't be as effective. If I had known this before I made the chiller, I could have designed it to be shorter and wider to alleviate that problem.

 

[wolverinebrewer]

its way too big for just 5 gal batches, but it will work if you plan to do 10 gal in future

I think it depends on the diameter. It could work. My 60 qt. is exactly 16" across and the 5 gal. mark is a little over 6" from the bottom. So maybe an 80 qt. is just taller? It depends on the dimensions but it could work.

 

[Nikkimaija]

I have a 7.5ish gallon pot and 5gal batches barely cover my chiller.

 

[tnbrewer371]

i have a 12 gallon pot now and my chiller I designed for my 4 gal pot (50' of 3/8" copper) sits about an inch above the wort when I do a six gallon batch, is it a pita to uncoil and recoil your wort chiler to make it more fine tuned when you change your brewpot?

 

[hamiltont]

If you ever plan to do 10 gallon batches then go with the 80. I wish I had bought the 80 over the 60 now... So what's the down side if your chiller has a few coils above the wort? A little less efficient maybe. I wouldn't worry about it unless it was half way exposed... Probably the biggest thing you'll see is more evaporation if the pot is of a greater diameter. (More surface = more evaporation concept). Cheers!!!

 

[smokewater]

Probably the biggest thing you'll see is more evaporation if the pot is of a greater diameter. (More surface = more evaporation concept). Cheers!!!

Makes sense. That won't be a problem though since there is plenty of space for more water to account for the boil off.

 

[aNYbrewery]

Go for it.:rockin: I use a 75qt for 5g mostly but wanted the option to do 10g+ batches too.

I use a plate chiller so depth isn't an issue for me though. Not sure if you can just re-roll your IC with a wider diameter.

 

[hamiltont]

Makes sense. That won't be a problem though since there is plenty of space for more water to account for the boil off.

Of course. Just wanted to make sure the OP was aware of it & prepared accordingly. Cheers!!!

 

[hamiltont]

I don't see where anyone addressed your lid question. Yes, get a lid. I use mine quite often. During the boil to reduce the evaporation (no it's not on tight), before chilling, after chilling, etc... Cheers!!!

 

[just2brew]

I have a 100qt and find I have to do 6 gallon batches to get 5 in the end. The wort chiller will work, just give it time. Sometimes I wish I had the 80qt just because the 100 is another 4 inches deeper. I initially got the pot thinking I could do 10 gallon batches and never worry about boil overs. Next thing I know I'm scaling favorite recipies to 15 gallon batches and buying an extra ale pail. Cant win, now I still watch for boil overs.

 

[Hammy71]

My pot is 21+ gallons. I do mostly 5 gallon batches with no issues. My 50' immersion chiller sticks out about a 1/2". Big deal. Pot was custom made by a friend and it is one of my most prized brewing possessions. Boil over? What's that?

 

[Sean]

No reason you cannot transfer the wort to a smaller vessel to cool. It will be at boiling temp at that time. Like the pot that comes with the turkey fryer. I think everyone has one of those in the garage...