Constructing Kettles - need advice

Hey,

I'm starting to piece together my all grain set up. I will be getting my kettles fabricated from stainless steel. I'd like to do 10gal batches. Is a 15gal kettle big enough for that?

Also how high above the "floor" of the kettle should the bulkhead for the valve be? Should this height be different for the Mash/lauter tun because of a false bottom?

Whats the minimum burner size that I would want when using propane?

And now for my last question.... One of my friends asked me if it would be better to build a MLT with a slanted bottom so that you could collect virtually all the wort? Here's a rough diagram....



Would something like this work? Has anyone ever tried this? One concern I can possible see with this is heating. I would be using propane, so I'm guessing heat distribution might will be different with a pot like this.

Thanks,

Dan

 

A 15.5 keg is plenty to make 10 gallon batches. So 15 gallon pot will work for you. At a minimum you would need a Bayou Classic SQ14. There are better ones that you can get. Kick A Banjo Burner (Single Propane Burners, Kick A Banjo Burner) would be way better.

A MLT will work on a siphon so a tilted bed will not be advantagous.

The height for the spigot on my keggles was the lowest I could get.

 

Wow! I love HBT! A little more than 20min of posting and already a reply! Thanks for the info!

I've thought of another question.... what size of bulkhead/3 piece ball valve should I used? I'm planning of getting pumps for my system so what would be the best size to use?

Thanks in advance!

Dan

 

I think a sloped false bottom would lead to uneven sparging.

 

Check out Bargain Fittings for your bulkheads. Cheapest you will get and good stuff too.
I also agree with just getting a 15.5 gallon stainless keg and convert it for your brewing needs. Install the bulkhead on it as low as possible and then make a dip tube to the center for your draining and it will drain the entire keg (no need to mess with that slanted bottom you are talking about).

Heres a picture of ours...