Kettle Size Sanity Check

[Nagorg]

I've been struggling with what size kettle makes the most sense so I thought I'd ask for input from the forum.

I mostly brew 10G batches but want to have capacity for 15G batches with a 90 minute boil on occasion. That boil volume exceeds what my 20G kettle can safely do so it's time to upgrade.

The question is; do I jump to 30G or meet in the middle with a 25/26G kettle? My knee jerk is for the 30G but I'm concerned that might be overkill for my usual 10G batches. (volume may be at or below thermometer port...)

Thoughts?

 

[day_trippr]

Get the thirty and keep the 20?

Cheers!

 

[Nagorg]

Of course that's too simple of a solution for me... I've been thinking I'd make the 20G an HLT by popping a sight glass into the port currently used as a whirlpool inlet. Guess I could 86 that idea and keep both setup as boil or HLT depending on batch size... That way I could do a 20G batch if the need ever arose. See, I just needed that grounded comment to set me back on track.

 

[estricklin]

100 quart Concord for 100 bucks!

 

[heckels]

Do at least 25. The 30 gives you flexibility to do longer boils or maybe even 20 gallon batches sometime.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[Nagorg]

Thanks for helping me nail down the practicality of going with the 30G. It will give me more options, especially if I dual purpose my 20G. Heck, I might find I'm okay with 10G batches in a 30G kettle so I donr have anything to loose other than ~1245 cubic inches storage space!

 

[rekoob]

Sounds like a good choice to me.
Happy brewing.