Brew kettle decision

[Roflsaurus]

after all of my reading i still can't decide on the size of brew kettle to purchase. i am mainly looking to do 5 gallon boils of extract and maybe some specialty grains in the future. i was thinking a 7.5 gallon would achieve this but now i am not sure. would 10 gallon be the size to start with?

the directions i am reading on some extract kits call for boiling 2.5 gallons? i should ignore this and use 5 gallon then adjust my top off in primary to match the OG i am looking for?

any "if i had to do it over" tips from experienced brewers would be hugely appreciated.

 

[JohnnyO]

I used a 7.5 gallon turkey fryer kettle for over two years. They served me well for full boil five gallon batches. You'll have to watch it like a hawk to prevent boilovers, but it's doable. 10 gallon kettle would be optimal though. If you can get it, do it.

Keep in mind, though, that you might want to do bigger batches in the future. A year ago, I started 10 gallon batches, and upgraded to converted kegs into kettles.

 

[bkorver]

I started out and still have a 7.5 gallon pot. I decided I was going to stick with extracts for the forseeable future and would only need to boil about 3 gallons or so at a time. But like most on here, I kept reading and learning and reading some more. Way before I intended, I got bit by the AG bug and have a couple batches under my belt. My 7.5 gallon pot is a PITA to keep it from boiling over, and I have yet to get 5 gallons out of a boil. I will be getting a 15 gallon Blichmann or a keggle very very soon. (sooner or later I am going to want to try a 10 gallon batch, and I don't want to have to buy AGAIN)

 

[TopherM]

Check out the Bayou Classic 44 qt kettle. This is the one I use. Inexpensive, easy to drill for a ball valve. Perfect size for easy 5-7 gallon batches.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VXHKMC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

When you are ready to go All Grain, you can do BIAB (Brew in a Bag) quite easily by buying the optional perferated basket. BIAB doesn't REQUIRE this basket, but it sure makes things easier. Easy to lift out of the mash, a 5 gallon paint strainer tightly grips to the lip, and the basket keeps the grain 3" above the bottom of the pot, so no real chance of scorching grains or the grain bag.

http://www.outdoorlivingshowroom.com/products/view.aspx?sku=3858209&af=1656&cse=1656

You'll also save about $20-30 if you go ahead and buy them both together off the bat:

http://www.google.com/products/cata...T9umCqn2sQLU09HvBQ&ved=0CF8Q8wIwAQ#scoring=tp

 

[Roflsaurus]

thank you everyone for the quick replies. that bayou kettle seems to be the ticket.