Maximum capacity for a 10 gallon kettle

[hucklb]

What is the biggest batch I can comfortably boil in a 10 gallon kettle? 5 gallon batches just don't last long enough. TIA.

 

[TorMag]

5 gallon batches just don't last long enough

You have a drinking problem.

 

[Sourz4life]

I guess it depends on what your making. If your careful for boil overs you could go with a finished batch of 8 gallons.

 

[TheMadKing]

You have a drinking problem.

Don't we all... empty kegs are the greatest drinking problem any homebrewer faces.

Also, hello from a few miles up the road.

 

[hucklb]

My typical pre-boil volume for a 5 gallon batch is 6 1/2 gallons. So, if I leave 2 gallons of space in the boil kettle for boilovers and then discount a gallon and a half for evaporation I am down to 6 1/2gallons of finished beer. Seems like time to upgrade the kettle to a 15 gallon kettle so I can do 10 gallon batches.

 

[kh54s10]

You could conceivably get 10 gallons out of a 10 gallon pot. You would have to do some experimenting with the recipe but start the boil with about 7 gallons until the hot break subsides. Then add more wort or water to a just barely rolling boil keep topping up until the end and you still have 10 gallons.

It would work but what a PITA it would be.

 

[ba-brewer]

I do 10gal batches in a 15gal kettle but I need to watch it close in the beginning especially if I do a long boil. You have only boil off comparable to a 5gal, but twice the trub loss so there is only a couple gallons of headroom. If 10gal batches are going to regular thing for you, then maybe consider 20gal for peace of mind as it comes up to boil.

 

[sd_brewbie]

I also do 10 gallons in a 15 gallon kettle. Preboil volume is around 13 gallons. FermcapS makes it possible but I still have random splashes of boiling wort escape the kettle.

 

[bigmike86]

Without adding more water throughout like previously mentioned, the most I am comfortable with boiling in my 10g pot is about 7.5, maaaaybe 8 gallons. Boil slow enough and you can end up with about 6.5 after boil (depending on hop type and amount).

I'll tell ya though, that boil over happens fast. Don't leave the pot unattended until its got a successful rolling boil

 

[brewbama]

Max I have used my 10 gal kettle for is an 8 gal boil.

 

[hucklb]

Hmmm. 20 gallon kettle. My birthday is coming up.

 

[ChelisHubby]

There you go trouble free 10 gallon batches!

 

[wilserbrewer]

Agreed on the 20 gallon kettle for 10 gallon batches.

Best of both worlds is having both a 10 and a 20, and use the correct size kettle depending on batch size.

 

[TorMag]

Agreed on the 20 gallon kettle for 10 gallon batches.

Best of both worlds is having both a 10 and a 20, and use the correct size kettle depending on batch size.

And TWO Wilser bags!!!! The world is awesome...

 

[The_Bishop]

One of these days I'm going to get a 20 gallon kettle with the appropriate stainless basket for it so I can do BIAB to gallon batches. My current 15 gallon is just a bit too small.

 

[wilserbrewer]

One of these days I'm going to get a 20 gallon kettle with the appropriate stainless basket for it so I can do BIAB to gallon batches. My current 15 gallon is just a bit too small.

Why the basket? Just curious, unless automating and recirculating, I don't see the need...jmo

 

[The_Bishop]

That's exactly why; electric system with re circulation and automatic temp control. Not knocking the bags at all! I just get more consistent results with circulating with a rigid basket.