15-gallon brew kettle advice

[Reaver]

Re: burner discussion. We just had a few posts elsewhere that discussed burner to kettle distance. And when people adjusted the Bayou burners closer to the kettle it helped dramatically. So you might also plan to adjust that. We were talking a different model Bayou, but those pics suggest that one might need adjustment too.

 

[Nagorg]

I will have to agree with Reaver on his comments about the SQ-14 and 10G batches. While it will get the job done, you will be better off with a Blichmann floor burner with that batch size. The SQ-14 did a great job with my 5G batches and worked pretty good to heat strike water for my 10G batches too. I've since stepped up to 10G+ batches and 2 Blichmann burners. I'd sell my SQ-14 but it's still a good burner and I feel like I'll need it in the future.

 

[Wreck99]

You can forget about doing a 10 gallon batch on a stove, not happening with a kitchen stove. My advice spend $60 bucks for a cut top keg and add your your own fittings. As for the SQ-14 burner - that is the unit that forced me to go electric and cut my boil time by 75%. For canning they are fine. My brew club hosted a lobster dinner and using cut kegs for boiling lobsters, clams and corn the SQ14 took 30 minutes longer to reach a boil than the Bayoo SQ84 or the Blichman burners. I suppose they are great if you have nothing to compare them to. That is just my experience, the SQ14 is the best thing I ever bought - it got me into electric brewing. I'd sell you mine but after buying it and using it once it now resides in the snow behind my barn after a fit of anger. Then again I am an inpatient yankee. cheers.

Consider the keggle route - not glamorous looking. But function over form as I always say. Buy a bunch of cornies with what you save.

I was considering a keggle too. As for the burner, I already have the SQ-14. Never used yet. Are you suggesting SQ-84 is better than the SQ-14? They don't look much different. Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[CorwinGraves]

Consider that a keggle will be more difficult to handle/store vs. a "proper" kettle, and also somewhat more difficult to clean. I have both and would opt for a kettle over a keggle given the choice, though price was a bigger factor at the time I picked up the keggle.

 

[BlkWater_brewer]

I was considering a keggle too. As for the burner, I already have the SQ-14. Never used yet. Are you suggesting SQ-84 is better than the SQ-14? They don't look much different. Maybe I'm missing something.

The SQ14 is a very low pressure and low BTU rated burner. I got my original one for doing canning. Check the specks between the two - it's cheap but heats slowly and compared to the SQ84 the actual burner is quite small. Beats heating on a stove but.... No need to spend $$$ for a fancy finish on a Blichman, but the 14 is rally too small for much more than 5 gallons. I believe the SQ84 is sized for up to 25 gallons.

 

[BlkWater_brewer]

Consider that a keggle will be more difficult to handle/store vs. a "proper" kettle, and also somewhat more difficult to clean. I have both and would opt for a kettle over a keggle given the choice, though price was a bigger factor at the time I picked up the keggle.

Well I have an abundance of space so that's no issue. Cleaning is no different or harder but they are heavier I'll give you that. Mine seldom if ever come off by brew table since they are plumbed together, I wash them in place with the pump setup and built in "garden hose". So I guess it's just personal preference

 

[Wreck99]

The SQ14 is a very low pressure and low BTU rated burner. I got my original one for doing canning. Check the specks between the two - it's cheap but heats slowly and compared to the SQ84 the actual burner is quite small. Beats heating on a stove but.... No need to spend $$$ for a fancy finish on a Blichman, but the 14 is rally too small for much more than 5 gallons. I believe the SQ84 is sized for up to 25 gallons.

If that's true, I may try to sell my SQ-14 for an 84. I'm all about saving the $$$ for something worth it. I don't need a Blichman. I just need something that will work well.

 

[Wreck99]

Well I have an abundance of space so that's no issue. Cleaning is no different or harder but they are heavier I'll give you that. Mine seldom if ever come off by brew table since they are plumbed together, I wash them in place with the pump setup and built in "garden hose". So I guess it's just personal preference

That will be a factor for me. I don't want something huge or heavy to log around for cleaning as I use my kitchen too. That may change if I switch to propane but I have no easy way to clean the equipment outside in winter, so I'll likely still bring stuff inside for cleaning.

 

[Reaver]

If that's true, I may try to sell my SQ-14 for an 84. I'm all about saving the $$$ for something worth it. I don't need a Blichman. I just need something that will work well.

Check out the Bayou KAB4 or 6 (larger base). Its the same burner in the Blichmann. I have one of each and just bought another Bayou for building my Stand $90-ish on Amazon.

 

[Nagorg]

If that's true, I may try to sell my SQ-14 for an 84. I'm all about saving the $$$ for something worth it. I don't need a Blichman. I just need something that will work well.

You dont know you need a Blichmann till you get a Blichmann. It's well worth the extra spend.

 

[Wreck99]

Check out the Bayou KAB4 or 6 (larger base). Its the same burner in the Blichmann. I have one of each and just bought another Bayou for building my Stand $90-ish on Amazon.

It's 4x the BTUs if I'm reading that correct? That's nice! However it doesn't look as sturdy as mine. Can it hold a 15 or 20 gallon kettle full of wort?

 

[johnthemann]

I was just at a bru shop in DuBuque Iowa and they had a Blichman 15 gallon brewkettle with brewmometer sight glass etc. He has it listed for 295.00 he had 2 of them...Bluff Street Bruhaus. He also had a March pump for 90 bucks..I think both are pretty good prices.

 

[djevans3]

I'll likely continue to brew 5 gallon batches mostly, but may do a 10 gallon in the future. Is it silly to buy a 20 gallon and use it for 5 gallons just in case a 10 gallon batch was made here and there? That seems like a waste to me.

I'm similar to you in brewing mostly 5 gallon batches with the occasional 10 gallon batch. You should know that if you get a 20G kettle, that when brewing 5 gallon batches you're volume may not be enough to reach the thermometer which would be a bummer.

I'm likely going to go the 15G kettle route with Spike myself. I can't still do 10G batches and make them work if needed once or twice a year. I can always adjust efficiency and dilute a brew going into fermenter if needed to hit volumes, but I'd rather have an appropriate kettle for what I do most often.

 

[Reaver]

It's 4x the BTUs if I'm reading that correct? That's nice! However it doesn't look as sturdy as mine. Can it hold a 15 or 20 gallon kettle full of wort?

Sure can. I have been using 1 for my HLT which is a Keggle. I just measured the support bars are 16", and my kegs are 15.5". It will work just fine for larger kettles because of the flat bottoms.

I will be cutting mine up to mount them to my stand. I can ususally get 15gals Liqour from Tap to Sparge Temp in 1 hour. I expect to better that when I get the burner to kettle distance worked out.

 

[Wreck99]

I'm similar to you in brewing mostly 5 gallon batches with the occasional 10 gallon batch. You should know that if you get a 20G kettle, that when brewing 5 gallon batches you're volume may not be enough to reach the thermometer which would be a bummer.

I'm likely going to go the 15G kettle route with Spike myself. I can't still do 10G batches and make them work if needed once or twice a year. I can always adjust efficiency and dilute a brew going into fermenter if needed to hit volumes, but I'd rather have an appropriate kettle for what I do most often.

Oh, I didn't even think about that. Since I'm likely to do mostly 5 gallon batches, then yeah probably 15 gal is the way to go for me. I think I will go with Spike when I have the cash. There's enough votes here

Now I'm a little concerned about the burner... Maybe I'll just try my Bayou Classic SQ-14 for a time or two before I decide if I need to switch it out.

Hopefully will be able to purchase that kettle soon.

 

[augiedoggy]

Oh, I didn't even think about that. Since I'm likely to do mostly 5 gallon batches, then yeah probably 15 gal is the way to go for me. I think I will go with Spike when I have the cash. There's enough votes here

Now I'm a little concerned about the burner... Maybe I'll just try my Bayou Classic SQ-14 for a time or two before I decide if I need to switch it out.

Hopefully will be able to purchase that kettle soon.

I bought the same BC sq-14 new on amazon for $35 shipped (open box buy) right before I decided to go electric instead (soo glad I did)... I never used it for beer but I have used it with a 20 gallon pot full of water and corn at a summer picnic... They are plenty sturdy enough for any 20 gallon setup for sure...


I also agree that for 5-10gallons a 15 gallon kettle size is best...I use 16 gallon bayou classic kettles for HLT and MT and a 13gallon ballington kettle for bk... whatever you do try to stick with pots that are taller than they are wide for sure.... this helps for many reasons especially with smaller batches in larger kettles.

BTW the bayou kettles are ok for electric but they dent easy since they are thinner than the concords, ballington or spike kettles so they would not be as good a choice for longevity if you will be moving them around and lifting while full.

 

[Wreck99]

... whatever you do try to stick with pots that are taller than they are wide for sure.... this helps for many reasons especially with smaller batches in larger kettles.

It's funny that you say that. In my experience, I've noticed my 13-gallon very wide pot from Spike can't boil over if you try! But yeah, thinking 15 gallon is what I'll go with.

I don't have any experience with electric, other than my stove lol. What did you end up going to after the Bayou burner?

 

[Kwitty]

I'll likely continue to brew 5 gallon batches mostly, but may do a 10 gallon in the future. Is it silly to buy a 20 gallon and use it for 5 gallons just in case a 10 gallon batch was made here and there? That seems like a waste to me.

Sorry. Was under the impression you were looking to do 10 gallon batches. I still like my 10 gallon megapot! Also I agree on the propane burner. Never will get a good boil on a full 5+ gallons of water/wort on a stove. I have a Blichman burner and love it, but my friend has the Dark Star burner and it works great for $50. Any burner will be better than a stove! No matter what you do it's going to be a great upgrade! It's just a matter of how much you are able/willing to spend. Good luck!

 

[Roadie]

Oh, I didn't even think about that. Since I'm likely to do mostly 5 gallon batches, then yeah probably 15 gal is the way to go for me. I think I will go with Spike when I have the cash. There's enough votes here

I would definitely go with a 20 gallon kettle for when you do that occasional 10 gallon batch. That's what we do. On 5 gallon batches though I have to use 1.5 qts per pound of grain to cover the temp sensor in the mash tun. That's pretty much what we use anyway so it wasn't much of an issue though do wish the sensor was a little lower so if I wanted to go with less brewing liquor I could. Never had an issue covering the temp sensor in the boil kettle.

 

[augiedoggy]

It's funny that you say that. In my experience, I've noticed my 13-gallon very wide pot from Spike can't boil over if you try! But yeah, thinking 15 gallon is what I'll go with.

I don't have any experience with electric, other than my stove lol. What did you end up going to after the Bayou burner?

You likley cant boil over because its not as efficiently heating the wort... taller than wide is going to be more efficient and going to work better when only partially full... I believe thats the "mega pot"s marketing line... that its the perfect ration found to be the most ideal for heating wort...1.2xs as tall as wide if im not mistaken...

 

[Wreck99]

I would definitely go with a 20 gallon kettle for when you do that occasional 10 gallon batch. That's what we do. On 5 gallon batches though I have to use 1.5 qts per pound of grain to cover the temp sensor in the mash tun. That's pretty much what we use anyway so it wasn't much of an issue though do wish the sensor was a little lower so if I wanted to go with less brewing liquor I could. Never had an issue covering the temp sensor in the boil kettle.

According the BeerSmith, looks like I'm programmed for 1.25qt/lb.

Sorry. Was under the impression you were looking to do 10 gallon batches. I still like my 10 gallon megapot! Also I agree on the propane burner. Never will get a good boil on a full 5+ gallons of water/wort on a stove. I have a Blichman burner and love it, but my friend has the Dark Star burner and it works great for $50. Any burner will be better than a stove! No matter what you do it's going to be a great upgrade! It's just a matter of how much you are able/willing to spend. Good luck!

The DarkStar burner says 55,000 BTUs which is the same as the SQ-14 I think? I guess I'll try the burner once and if not great, I'll be shopping for a better one lol. Wanna get the kettle first.

 

[scottcamps]

I just went through the 15 gal debate and went with the mega 1.2 because NB had a Black Friday sale which gave me 50 off. Because it's just going to be a brew kettle and not a hlt I went with ball valve only. I am not disappointed with my decision. It's a great kettle.

 

[scottcamps]

Side note I also have the dark star and got it free with a purchase of I think 250. My buddy and I needed random stuff and went in on the whole order so I could grab the burner. It's not bad for 50 but it does tend to char the bottom of the kettle. But it really does sip fuel and works well. It's a whole new world off the stove.

 

[scottcamps]

Well if you're patient enough wait to buy the 1.2 from NB and there should be a dark star promotion coming up and BLAM....I really should go to sleep.

 

[Wreck99]

Well if you're patient enough wait to buy the 1.2 from NB and there should be a dark star promotion coming up and BLAM....I really should go to sleep.

I got some time. Still saving up. Still leaning towards Spike though.

 

[scottcamps]

I got some time. Still saving up. Still leaning towards Spike though.

If it wasn't for Black Friday, I would have gone spike. So I can't say your going wrong. I've heard only great things about his products.

 

[Hello]

Spike is what I am looking at next. I wanted Ss because they're a wonderful sponsor here and have offered amazing prizes for the contests. The only issue I had was that their volume markings start at 8 gallons. This was a show stopper for me because I measure sparge water using those volume markings and I do 5 gallon batches mostly.

I ruled out Blichman for cost mostly. I'll eventually need 3 kettles and that will get costly. I do have a 10 gallon Bayou classic which I absolutely love. I've also considered just buying the 15 gallon BCs and drilling holes myself or finding an able-bodied young man to do it for me.

 

[p40whk]

I'm in the same situation as the OP here except I'm looking at primarily brewing 10 gallon batches with occasional 5 gallon brews.

Can you get away with a smaller HLT say 15 Gallons and use a 20 gallon brew kettle or would I be better off just getting 2-20's?

Spike is out of their 20 gallon kettles right now unfortunately

 

[normonster]

Haven't done a 10 gallon batch yet. I may in the future though. For now, just sticking with 5 gallon batches. I'm currently using a 13-gal aluminum kettle. It's very wide and is awkward to empty into a fermenter.

Keep in mind that when you have a valve there's going to be like a gallon of dead space at the bottom so for a 5 gallon batch in a 15 gallon kettle a diptube is going to be a must-have.

I went with morebeer heavy triclads for all three and I really like them.

 

[normonster]

Can you get away with a smaller HLT say 15 Gallons and use a 20 gallon brew kettle or would I be better off just getting 2-20's?

You could get away with all 15's but a twenty for the boil kettle would make my brew day easier (14.5 gallon boil in a 15 gallon pot is a tad scary sometimes)...