Brew Kettle

[Onetime]

I have 4 extract brews under my belt and was interested in switching to AllGrain but i think i need a bigger kettle. Will an 8 gallon kettle be big enough? Is a standard kettle enough or do the valves and other features make a difference? Thanks.

 

[andy6026]

8 gallons is just big enough for 5 gallon batches that aren't really high gravity, but you'll have to watch it like a hawk or you'll get a lot of boil overs.

I use a 15 gallon kettle and I sometimes get boil overs. Ideally I wish I had a 20 gallon kettle so I could more comfortably do 10 gallon batches.

Mine has a ball valve and a thermometer. Of course I use the ball valve all the time, but the thermometer I only use for a quick read - otherwise I use my thermapen for anything requiring accuracy. A volume gauge on the kettle is a luxury I would very much like to have, but you can easily brew without it.

 

[nygel74]

fermcap is your friend. I used an 8 gallon for 5 gallon ag for a few months and I was thinking I should invest in the stuff cheap insurance

 

[Subdivisions]

I do 5 gallon BIAB with a 9 gallon kettle. I brew on the stove with 2 burners so it's not as hard of a boil but it works well. It gives a nice rolling boil. Natural gas is much cheaper too. Mine was $75 for a 9 gallon SS. I'd go 9 or 10 at least. You'll thank yourself in the future.

 

[Ungoliant]

I do 5 gallon BIAB in a 10 gallon kettle...Personally, I find having a ball-valve and a thermometer to be worth the investment, but it's not necessary to buckle down on if it's gonna beat your wallet up. I used a super cheap (like, $40) aluminum 10 gal kettle with a hanging thermometer for a while until I upgraded to the SS Brew Tech one I use now, and it worked great. Doing BIAB is also a great way to save some money, just make sure you know if you want to mash on the burner or with insulation before you hit your first brew day.

The only time I have volume issues is mashing grain bills that are heavier than about 16 lbs. (~1.081 OG) or so. However, there are other methods you can use (such as dunk-sparging) to make bigger beers at that capacity and still make 5 gallon batches. I'll also go on to say that I haven't had any boil over issues since I made the jump to BIAB.

 

[oogaboogachiefwalkingdeer]

I will be fine. I do it all the time.