Looking to Upscale

[BrewingRugger]

I want to move from 5 gal to 10 gal batches. I am not sure what equipment changes or upgrades I need. I know I need at least a 15 gal pot, but I'm not sure if my 10 gal igloo mash tun can handle 10 gal batches. Any suggestions?

 

[jrcrilly]

The 10 gallon cooler will be fine for most 10 gallon beers. That's what I was using. Anything over maybe 1.065 will tend to run out of room in there, though, so you'll have to use a pretty thick mash sometimes.

 

[jrcrilly]

Here's a ten gallon batch of California Common (og around 1.053) in my ten gallon cooler at normal mash density, about 1.3 quarts per pound of grain.

 

[BrewingRugger]

That sounds good!!! But from time to time, I make some high gravity beers, and I would like to be able to do them in 10 gal batches too. Does anyone know if and where I can find a 15 gal igloo beverage cooler?

 

[andrewmaixner]

If you are open to batch sparging (and no-sparge for smaller beers!) then you can get the a 70 qt Coleman Xtreme rectangular cooler cheaper. Currently $60, it often drops to $42, and it's very popular for homebrewing.
I've been using it for 10Gal batches for over a year. With 70qt of space you can easily make a very high gravity single batch, and then infuse it again and collect wort for a normal strength beer -- parti-gyle batch sparging

I'm not sure if they even make 15gal cylindrical coolers?

handy chart of maximum grain weight, gravity, etc by mash tun size: https://www.brewunited.com/view_page.php?pageid=1
Note that at 65qt and 80%, you can get 10 gallons of 1.105, and even at only 70% you get 1.091

 

[Cyclman]

If you're upscaling, I would do a 20G kettle w/ BIAB. Save $ to spend on beer ingredients.

 

[jrcrilly]

That sounds good!!! But from time to time, I make some high gravity beers, and I would like to be able to do them in 10 gal batches too. Does anyone know if and where I can find a 15 gal igloo beverage cooler?

I've not seen a 15 gallon cylindrical cooler, though there are some in larger ones in other form factors. I'm in the process of switching from the 10 gallon cooler to a 15 gallon kettle. That will manage any 10 gallon batch I'd consider brewing.