Need a brewing kettle.. suggestions?

[Dopeybrew]

I do 5 gallon batches in a 9 gallon kettle on my stove top. Just gotta sparge and keep an eye on the boil. Piece of cake.

I was hoping to go for the no sparge method stickied here. It listed a 10 gallon pot as big enough. Thats what I went for....


=edit=
The biggest beer Im going to be using is 16.5lb grain but average is under 10lbs. If that makes a difference

 

[RM-MN]

So is a 10 gal kettle not big enough for 5 gallon batches? I generally don't go above 1.049(with the exception of one 1.083 once a year). Have I actually screwed the pooch on grabbing a tall boy 10 gal pot?

I've done a bunch of 5.5 gallon batches in a 7.5 gallon pot with OG up to 1.070.

With that you really do have to watch as you come to a boil or the hot break will spill onto the stove. I also keep the boil low so I don't boil off a lot of water.

 

[RM-MN]

I was hoping to go for the no sparge method stickied here. It listed a 10 gallon pot as big enough. Thats what I went for....


=edit=
The biggest beer Im going to be using is 16.5lb grain but average is under 10lbs. If that makes a difference

If you do BIAB and mill your grains fine your efficiency will be so high that you won't need so much grain. Run those recipes through software but set the efficiency up to 85% (my normal) and see how much grain you need to hit the expected OG.

 

[wilserbrewer]

So is a 10 gal kettle not big enough for 5 gallon batches? I generally don't go above 1.049(with the exception of one 1.083 once a year). Have I actually screwed the pooch on grabbing a tall boy 10 gal pot?

I was hoping to go for the no sparge method stickied here. It listed a 10 gallon pot as big enough. Thats what I went for....


=edit=
The biggest beer Im going to be using is 16.5lb grain but average is under 10lbs. If that makes a difference

Ok, lets look at the numbers using this mash tun vol calculator.
http://www.haandbryg.dk/mashcalc.html#mash

16.5 lbs of grain mashed at 2 qt/lb (33 qt (8.25 gal strike water) results in a total mash volume of 9.6 quarts, check OK

Loss due due grain absorption will be approx .1 gal / lb grain or 1.6 gallons, so your wort volume after removing the bag will approx. be 8.25 gal minus 1.6 gal equals a preboil volume of 6.65, boil off a gallon and your finished wort volume will be 5.65, check OK

Tips....mashing in with a total volume of 9.6 gallons of mash in a 10 gallon kettle might be tricky and lead to spillage, so you could hold back a gallon and add that after the mash rest.

With a sparge step, you could mash 20 lbs without issue IMO..

I think you have made a fine choice with the 10 gallon considering your main objective of brewing moderate gravity brews, especially if stovetopping where a larger kettle will require more heat to boil, and have space constraints. Considering most of your batches will only be 10-12 lbs of grain, the 10 gallon is an appropriate size. I feel one is better served to have the right size kettle for 90% of their brews, and a little small for 10%, rather than too large for 90%, and just right for 10%.

The smaller 10 gal will also hold temp better having less head space and surface area than the larger kettle, the 10 gal may fit in your oven as well, which is a very easy and effective way to maintain steady mash temps. Might want to consider trying some fermcap S, or infant gas drops (simethicone) till you get the hang of bringing to a boil without a boil over.

Hope this helps.
wilser

 

[Ash1616]

I've been reading this thread with great interest as Ive been doing One Gallon BIAB batches. My biggest concern with scaling up my brew volume was the heating element, is it possible to get a full boil using a stove element?

 

[wilserbrewer]

is it possible to get a full boil using a stove element?

Really depends on the stove. Some will boil 7 gallons easily, and some not so much at all?




Wilserbrewer
Http://biabbags.webs.com/

 

[mr_rogers]

I've been reading this thread with great interest as Ive been doing One Gallon BIAB batches. My biggest concern with scaling up my brew volume was the heating element, is it possible to get a full boil using a stove element?

My old stove had one of those coil elements and it would do full boils no problem.
it was a newer stove so YMMV.
If your stove isn't quite strong enough you could go with a heat stick, or a permanent heat element like I did!

 

[Halifax]

So I am looking for recommendations on a good kettle for BIAB 5 gallon batches. I like the Thermometer and see how its in the way. Found Spike has a horizontal design ( welded ). Anyone see a significant benefit to having the thermometer? Also the Bayou has a nice pot with the strainer to help with the bag and keeps it off the bottom. The kettle and burner are all I need to get going and want to make the right purchase.