Is a 15gal mashtun too big for small 6gal batches?

[kanzimonson]

I'm thinking about getting a 15gal heavy duty brew kettle from morebeer. The intention is to stick with my 8gal BK for now until I get a 15gal BK in the future. I'm a little worried that the 15gal will be excessive when I want to do smaller beers (in the 1.035-1.045 range). In some cases, we're talking 7-9# of grain.

I fly sparge as well. I'm thinking for the smaller beers I may just have to mash at a thinner ratio. Typically I'm at 1.5qts/# but I could go up to 2.

 

[BendBrewer]

If only doing 6 gallon batches and not making BIG beers, use the 8 gallon as the MLT and the 15 gallon Brew Kettle as designed for your kettle.

 

[kanzimonson]

I don't have a false bottom for the 8gal.

I don't make small beers too often, usually I've got about 13-16# of grain in my beers, and when I upgrade I could see doing a few maxed out barleywines with 36# or whatever I can fit in.

 

[Snafu]

Well I do 99% of my brews either 5.5 gal or 6.5 gal (most being 5.5) and I use a 15.5 gal keggle all the time and I'm a fly sparger as well. Mostly use 1.5 qts but sometime bring it back to 1.25 to get a better sparge. One things for certain, even with a 15 gal brew pot you still have to worry about boilovers.

 

[kanzimonson]

Unfortunately your problem doesn't quite mimic mine because keggles are much taller than the heavy duty.

Surprising that you're reaching the rim with only a 7gal boil. Maybe that's a dimension thing too, or maybe you have insane boiloff?

 

[tnbrewer371]

i use a 15 gal mash tun (igloo cooler) to do a 8# of grain blonde ale 5.5 gal batch, works like a charm, and I get great efficiency to boot, does that answer your question.

 

[wolverinebrewer]

I have a 62 qt. coleman extreme and I just did BM's Centennial Blond with 9.75 lbs. of grain. I did not have a problem.

 

[hotbrew]

I use a half barrel keggle for all my brew, no matter how big or small they are. It's always nice to have extra space to avoid boil overs with.

 

[Hex]

I'm a little worried that the 15gal will be excessive when I want to do smaller beers (in the 1.035-1.045 range). In some cases, we're talking 7-9# of grain.

You will just have to do double batches then, 14 to 18 lbs of grain, and use the 15 gal. mash tun as your brew kettle. Win win!