Batch size question, Kettle Size question - Noob

New guy here, as I'm still trying to decide what size pot to buy. I'm thinking either 10 or 15 gal. I will be initially be working with extract. My question is this.

If I am understanding what I've read correctly, I will be boiling about 2 gallons of water to make my wort and then topping off to get a 5 gallon final batch size. For this I don't see how I could use a 15 gallon pot without a lot of loss from boiling and scorching of the wort.

Or would I just do a full 5 gallon boil and then add water to make up the difference to make the 5 gallon batch. I can see where I could use a 15gal pot doing this.

What are the downsides to the larger boil?

Which size pot?

I will probably be doing 5 gal batches for a while.

Thanks. I have read a lot of good info here.

Eric

 

if you're thinking about a big pot, no need to worry about partial boils. boil the whole volume (batch size + boil off rate)

 

Exactly. And your beer will be better!

 

Aaand... I would recommend a 9 gallon kettle with ball valve, about $115 or so.

 

If your are doing partial boils, a 24Q pot is more than plenty of space. When you add cold water to the fermentor, you get to your 5 gallons.

 

10 gallon will handle 5 gallon batches easy, 15 gallon will handle 10 gallon batches easy.

A 5 gallon kettle will handle extract partial boils so if you think you may want to do all- grain or 10 gallon batches or both in the future I would go with the 15. It is way easier to boil 5 gallons in a 15 then the other way around and besides, for extract batches a full boil can give better results so it is fine to do a 5 gallon boil in a 15 gallon kettle!

Next hurdle is cost

Good luck!

 

Before you jump off and buy a monster volume pot how do you intend to heat it? That will partially determine partial or full boils.

 

I have a gas range and was concerned about that, but I also have a King Kooker turkey fryer I can use outside. Can I do a 5 gal boil on the range with a 15?

 

that really depends on your stove. i can boil 5+ gal in a 7.5 on my glass top electric, believe it or not, but i know some guys struggle to get 3 gal boiling on the stove. as far as the turkey fryer goes, that's the way to go with larger pots, IMO.

 

I agree with the turkey fryer too.

I used my electric stove to do 6+ gallon boils (it took a long time and a lot of mess) and it almost destroyed my stove. Outdoor/propane burner is the way to go and it is easy to just hook up a chiller from your garden hose as well!

 

Thanks for the reply. Looking like I may pony up and get the 15 for future needs.

 

Yeah go with the 15 on the outside propane burner. It will be great for 5 or 10 gal batches. You can always get a keggle as well, should be a little cheaper than buying a new 15 gal brew kettle. I just picked up one for $100 on Craigslist that included a ball valve for easy transferring to my primary. Cheers!

 

I've looked for a keggle or kettle on Craigslist for a few weeks and haven't found one, looks like I may have to buy new. C ya.

 

I've got one on CL now, all decked out... but I'm in California