One or Two Kettles (or more)

[kevin58]

I am considering going electric. Roughly 60% of what I brew are 5 gallon batches... 30% are 10 gallons and 10% of what I make are big barleywines with OG's of 1.100+.

If it weren't for the occasional barleywine I might be happy with a single vessel eBIAB system. I'm wondering however if I should look at a two vessel system (or even 3).

Any thoughts on the matter?

I currently have a three kettle system using 15.5 gallon keggles.

 

[BrunDog]

Two vessel brewing rocks! Death to HLT’s!

 

[Bobby_M]

On thing is not clear.. is the barleywine ever a 10 gallon batch? Either way, an 18 gallon pot can do 5 or 10 gallons BIAB at any practical gravity you want.

 

[CTS]

Went to a 2 vessel RIMS system and have made my best beers to date. I have it sized to do 10g batches of I ever go that route but if I was doing 5g only I would consider one pot BIAB.

 

[Dland]

I currently have a three kettle system using 15.5 gallon keggles.

I am adding optional electric capability to my existing 15.5 gallon keggles. One can weld, braze or solder 1.5 inch tri clamp ferules, and add a electric element. I'll still be able to use propane if I choose to for whatever reason, and try out to one or two kettle brewing if I ever want to.

What is so bad about HLTs? One thing I like is ability to heat up sterilization water after I've sparged and during boil. I like to PBW/Starsan my lines, plate cooler, fermeter, etc at around 150F just before the chilled wort hits cold side.

 

[BrunDog]

Personal preference of course... I start to recirc the boiling wort to sterilize the chiller etc.

 

[Dland]

Personal preference of course... I start to recirc the boiling wort to sterilize the chiller etc.

That is an interesting approach, maybe a step saver, how do you sterilize your fermenters? I usually cold flush lines, cooler with iodine solution after I'm done for the day, so the sugar would be washed out. Besides the plate chiller, I do worry about sanitizing the 20 ft line I pump down to cellar with.

 

[BrunDog]

It’s a fairly common approach for those with pumps actually. 20’ is a lot of hose though. I sanitize the fermenters with star San.