All Grain

[sbsmann]

Contemplating going to all-grain after having brewed many fabulous extract kits. Been doing a lot of research on here and elsewhere, but am having some difficulty determining if I would be able to boil enough water for 5 gallon batches on my gas stove. Speaking in general terms, how much water can one boil on a mid-range gas stove in the home? I'm interested in 5 gallon batches so obviously there would be more than 5 gallons to boil, but I am curious if people on here are able to boil 6,7,8 gallons on a gas stove in a reasonable amount of time?

 

[jmartie13]

I've never boiled a 5 gallon batch on my mid-range gas stove, but I'm thinking you'll likely not get a good rolling boil. I think my quick boil burner on my stove is 15,000 BTU, and my outdoor propane burner for boiling beer is 55,000 BTU. When I first went all-grain I bought a cheap bayou classic burner for $35, still works great. If an outdoor burner is not an option you might be able to split the batch to boil? not sure.

 

[DatsyukianDeke]

I can't get a good steady boil on my gas range. I use my propane burner outdoors. Only problem is getting the weather to line up with my days off so I can brew outside.

 

[Morrey]

Like many brewers begin, my first beers were extract kits boiling on my gas stovetop in the kitchen. When I made the move to AG, too many issues stood in my way to continue inside such as the issue you mentioned of boil capabilities on a gas stovetop.

Not saying it cannot be done as I'm sure others will offer advice how they can accomplish this task indoors. In my case, with all factors being considered, I went with a propane burner to heat water, boiling...whatever your process will be...it simply made brewing easier (for me) in my opinion.

 

[catdaddy66]

Contemplating going to all-grain after having brewed many fabulous extract kits. Been doing a lot of research on here and elsewhere, but am having some difficulty determining if I would be able to boil enough water for 5 gallon batches on my gas stove. Speaking in general terms, how much water can one boil on a mid-range gas stove in the home? I'm interested in 5 gallon batches so obviously there would be more than 5 gallons to boil, but I am curious if people on here are able to boil 6,7,8 gallons on a gas stove in a reasonable amount of time?

I boil 90% of my batches on my electric stove and typically have 7-7.25 gal of wort. It is slower as it takes me around 45 minutes to reach boiling, when I can get a boil on a propane stand in 15-20 min. The propane burner also is a much more vigorous boil.

I like my stove and don't mind the extra time needed to get the job done.

 

[MaryB]

I looked at this as an option before I decided to build a brew stand and brew in the garage and soon to be a dedicated outdoor brewery https://www.lehmans.com/product/amish-made-stovetop-water-bath-canner/ fits across 2 burners and large enough to easily handle a 5 gallon batch.

 

[Lefou]

I am a seasonal indoor brewer who uses a gas stove for mashing and boiling. Here's how.

I use two kettles. One is a 7.5gal ANVIL mash kettle with false bottom, thermometer, and ball valve. The second is a 5gal kettle with spare thermometer for treated mash water and/or decoction, depending on the process. Since my gas stove doesn't put out the BTUs a propane burner can, I decrease volume and do a reduced boil, then top off to meet final wort volume. This isn't hard with a little bit of planning - just use a good mash and sparge calculator matched with a dilution and boiloff estimation pegged for your particular setup.
I know my methods for the most part and always come in around +/- 5 gravity points. I also know my typical efficiencies and compensate with added grain, sugar adjuncts, or LME. I always have extra water for dilution, too.

I target my batches to five or fewer gallons of beer with sessionable ABV, usually light SRM.
It's what I favor, but with some planning a bock, porter, or stout is doable. I'm the only real beer fan in the house so five gallons or less goes a long way and it's ALL MINE.

 

[Tknishi]

I am in indoor brewer (and I live in Hawaii! I know that's a sin), and when I went all grain (biab w/ a cooler), I pretty much stopped doing 5 gallon batches, as I couldn't get a really good rolling boil going on that much boil volume. I just decided to do smaller batches, like 3-4 gallon batches. I don't have trouble getting a boil, granted it does take longer to get that boiling point compared to propane.

Honestly, 3 or 4 gallon batches seem to work much better for me all in all, its cheaper (less ingredients), I can turnover beers more frequently, etc.