15 or 20 Gal Kettle for 5-10 gallon batches

[Jinkies]

I agree, a 20 gallon pot is silly large for someone that predominantly brews 5 gallon batches.

There really is not a perfect size for 5 and 10 gallon batches, it's really 2 kettles, a 12 and a 20.

A 15 is IMO a little large for 5 gallon batches, and a little small for 10 gallon batches.

I would actually prefer 2 inexpensive kettles sized appropriately than 1 kettle sized inappropriately.

Jmo

Agreed.If your running propane two good cheap pots is the way to go.Building 2 electric pots is obviously a decent amount work more.

I agree, the two inexpensive kettles are probably better. However I need fittings since I have a CFC. So inexpensive is relative. And two pots will likely cost more than one. Also the chilling. I could sell the CFC and pump and get something like the JaDed King Cobra which should be able to do multi pot sizes. However, in my current brewing situation. I was trying to keep water usage down, hence the CFC. I tend to get wrapped up in costs sometimes and even $100 in homebrew over the life of a kettle is not the end all be all. I'm heavily leaning to the Brewer's Hardware kettle. If they get back to me this time. I sent an other contact message with questions today.

 

[Jinkies]

I'm a little confused and not really sure I understand the cons on this list for the 20 gallon pot.
...
Cons:
2. Maintaining mash temps will be more tricky on smaller batches - I don't understand this one, if you are cycling your mash via a pump and you have your temperature probe in a good (submerged) location, why is there a problem maintaining a mash temperature?
....

3. Boil off rate will vary greatly depending on batch sizes. - Boil off rate does not depend upon batch size, it is your surface area: "Assuming the same kettle and burner are used, and that they are capable of maintaining an adequate boil, the boiling losses are largely independent of the batch size because the major factor is the surface area.". Whether you have 8 gallons or 16 gallons in your pot you should get the same boil off rate.

I don't plan on doing recirc. I was just going to insulate. I just didn't want to have deal with worrying about burnt elements, mash or bags. However I think I could get

3. I agree, the boil off is the same. I think people just generally want less of it in general.

Do you use a 20 Gallon Pot, if so which one? Is yours electric? Thanks!

 

[sillbeer]

I agree, the two inexpensive kettles are probably better. However I need fittings since I have a CFC. So inexpensive is relative. And two pots will likely cost more than one. Also the chilling. I could sell the CFC and pump and get something like the JaDed King Cobra which should be able to do multi pot sizes. However, in my current brewing situation. I was trying to keep water usage down, hence the CFC. I tend to get wrapped up in costs sometimes and even $100 in homebrew over the life of a kettle is not the end all be all. I'm heavily leaning to the Brewer's Hardware kettle. If they get back to me this time. I sent an other contact message with questions today.

I disagree. I have the 80 quart Concord pot and it does just fine with 5 gallon batches. I predominately do 10 gallon batches and 5 gallon high gravity stuff. I have done several 5 gallon low gravity beers and never felt the pot was too big. I converted the pot to EBIAB and love it. (edit) The pot actually measured out to 18.5 gallons instead of the full 20 gallons as advertised when I bought it.

 

[jekeane]

its personal preference at this point and that is what I was voicing. When I "upgraded" to a 20g pot for 5 gallon batches and the very rare 10g batch I personally hated it.

as far as boil off I have to have my element at 40% rather than 60% to not boil off excessive amounts doing 5 g in a 20g pot it is the same with propane. And that is more what I was getting at. I understand that once you dial that in it is mostly irrelevant. However when i used propane my burner would ofter struggle on even slightly windy days with the reduced flow i needed for 5g in 20g.