How Many BTU'S

[excaptn]

I have been doing a lot extract batches and finally bought a large pot(32 qt ceramic canning pot). Tonight I tried to boil 5 gallons of water on my kitchen stove (natural gas) I got to 212 degrees in about 45 minutes and then it seemed like I just didn't have enough power to get any more action. I was at boil temp, but nowhere close to a rolling boil. Does the average kitchen stove not have the BTU's to get a rolling boil? I am now searching craigslist for high pressure propane burner, and have read a lot about people using the Bayou classic sp10 high pressure gas cooker, or the brinkman’s 170,000 BTU burner. Does anyone have experience with either of these two units? If not how many BTU's do I need?¬

 

[Wellshooter]

Sounds like you were there man. 212 should do it. Was the water rolling? You don't want big bubbles coming up and popping.

Lots of us use turkey fryers or camping propane burners. I think mine cost $35 at one of the outdoor shops.

 

[excaptn]

No rolling at all, Small bubbles coming from the bottom of the pot, but the water was pretty still. I have read that you may get 'cloudy' beer if you do not have a strong enough boil.

 

[dbreienrk1]

I had the same problem with my 32 quart kettle on an electric stove. It would take forever to reach boiling temps, and it barely stayed there once it got there. I have since upgraded to a homemade version of the Bayou Specialty Double Propane Burner:

http://bayouclassicdepot.com/db375_specialty_double_burner.htm

My step dad is a machinist so i pretty much get everything homemade. Anyways, I've had great success with this. It took about 10 minutes to take 110 degree water to a rolling boil. If you don't want to pony up and buy a new burner, I've heard of people wrapping their kettles in Reflectix to control heat loss:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...linktype=brand&storeId=10051&ddkey=THDSiteMap

 

[JuanMoore]

Wrapping some alum foil around the base of the pot to trap heat might work. A burner really is the way to go for full boils. I have the bayou classic sp10 burner (185,000 btu), and it can boil 10 gal quickly and easily. My stove could barely keep 4 gallons at a boil even using two burners.

 

[northernlad]

Most residential gas burners max out at about 19,000BTU. Not enough to boil much more than 4 gallons.
A 55,000 BTU burner is fine if you are doing 5 gallons.

 

[HarkinBanks]

Same results here, my 8 gallon NSF kettle wouldn't maintain a rolling boil so I made an e-kettle with hot water heating elements so I can brew indoors. The camco elements are cheap and will give you a roaring boil. As others have said, the bayou classic propane burner is the other option, but you have to go outdoors.

I know this may be a step back, but if you want to stick indoors on your stove you can get a cheapy 5 gallon SS pot, I got one at Boscov's for $12 here: http://www.boscovs.com/StoreFrontWeb/Product.bos?itemNumber=12585

It will boil a little over 4 gallons on my stovetop vigorously, about .58g boil-off in 60 minutes. I use it for small batch BIAB sessions when I don't want to break out my Brutus 20 system.

 

[HomelessWook]

is 45,000 BTUs enough - the store right by my house has this in stock and i plan to brew saturday.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[pjcampbell]

How will the 55K Bayou burner do for 10 gallons? Seems to heat 5 gallons no problem at about half throttle.... thanks.

 

[joeunc]

sq14 Bayou is 55,000 BTUs and what I use for 5gal batches. It gets a rolling boil going quickly and I have to turn it down some just I don't get too much boil off and it is still running. Nice large square frame on it also

 

[gtpro]

I have the bayou classic sp10 as well and I've loved it so far, it comes with a wind shield and 185,000 BTU regulator just cannot be beat, literally.