Brew Pot / Boil Size

[daveooph131]

I think I will be purchasing the Economy pot from Brewmasters here

Is 9 Gallons a sufficient size for 5 gallon batch full boils? Also, should I add the thermometer to this, is there a big advantage to having that on the brew kettle rather than using an electronic temp probe?

Thanks!

 

[rico567]

9 gal. is plenty. I bought a 7.5 gal SS pot as my original pot back when I started brewing, doing extracts. When I went to make the jump to AG, some people said it was enough, some said no way. I'm still using it.*

*Life is easier doing 6.5 gal AG boils in a 7.5 gal pot if you just put in 6 drops of Fermcap-S (available at fine brewing supply outlets everywhere) at the start of the boil. No boilover worries, ever........

 

[Hammy71]

9 gallons will work, but you will still have to watch for boil overs. I have a thermometer on my brewing kettle. Makes it easy to see if the wort is chilled enough to transfer to the carboy. I used to just dip a sanitized thermometer into the wort, but that was becoming a pain in the arse....

 

[MaddBaggins]

My brew pot is 12gal and sometimes gets near the top after adding the malt. You just have to watch it closely during that phase.

 

[MaddBaggins]

*Life is easier doing 6.5 gal AG boils in a 7.5 gal pot if you just put in 6 drops of Fermcap-S (available at fine brewing supply outlets everywhere) at the start of the boil. No boilover worries, ever........

Whoa, never heard of that stuff. I'll have to check it out. Does it do anything to the flavor/mouthfeel/smell of the brew?

 

[MakeshiftBrew]

I have an 8 gallon SS brew kettle for use with 5 gallon batches, works perfectly, ≈1 gallon for boil off water, and ≈2 gallons for boil over space and what not. IMO 9 gallons is plenty.