10gal BIAB

[Adamkel]

Hello All,
I am planning a new BIAB setup for 10gal batches. After reading through this forum and other others I decided on a 20gal brew kettle.

After further consideration and pondering....
Question #1: Should I spring for a 25gal to brew 1/2 bbl batches in the future?

Question #2: Is it feasible to brew 5gal batches in a 25gal pot? Will there be too much boil-off?

Bottom line...I want to buy a kettle that will grow with me, but not limit smaller batches.

Your thoughts please.

Thanks

 

[Yooper]

Hello All,
I am planning a new BIAB setup for 10gal batches. After reading through this forum and other others I decided on a 20gal brew kettle.

After further consideration and pondering....
Question #1: Should I spring for a 25gal to brew 1/2 bbl batches in the future?

Question #2: Is it feasible to brew 5gal batches in a 25gal pot? Will there be too much boil-off?

Bottom line...I want to buy a kettle that will grow with me, but not limit smaller batches.

Your thoughts please.

Thanks

I don't BIAB, so I have to sort of visualize what you'll be doing. If you're doing 10 gallon sized batches, like I did today, you'll use 15 gallons of water and maybe 24 pounds of grain for a 1.072ish sized batch. In a no-sparge BIAB batch, that would take up 17 gallons of space. In a traditional sparge, it would take up less- my 15 gallon MLT was nearly maxed out though.

So I guess for me to give input, I need to ask your technique- no sparge? Batch sparge? Dunk sparge? Two vessels? Three? One?

In a one vessel system, you'd need 25 gallons of space for a 10 gallon batch.

 

[Adamkel]

I'm planning on a no sparge technique in a one vessel system with the intent of a growing to a 3 vessel (AG) system in a future.

Thank for your input.

 

[MaxStout]

I used to do 5 gal BIAB batches in a 10 gal BK. With higher gravity beers I was getting right up to the rim. Ten gallon high gravity batches in a 20 gal kettle will probably be tight as well. You can save a bit of space by holding back 2 or 3 gallons from the mash water, then after the rest hoist up the bag and do a pour-over sparge with the 2 or 3 gallons. Otherwise, spring for the 25 gal BK.

BTW, unless you're comfortable lifting heavy weights, you're going to need some kind of hoist to yank that huge bag of wet grains out.

 

[Adamkel]

Would there be a concern for too much wort boil off with a 5 gal batch in a 25gal kettle?