What’s The Best BIAB Kettle Size For Me

[Dbares]

I’m looking to save some time on my brew day, and also up the batch volume of wort produced. I’d like to do this by switching some of the beers I brew to the BIAB method. I’ve done one BIAB batch, as a test, in one of my 8 gallon kettles, and I really liked the way it worked out.

I’m thinking of getting a 20 gallon kettle, and I’m wondering if it is the right size for what I want to do. I want to do full volume no sparge non recirculating mashes. What I intend on using this kettle for are 12 gallon batches of 1.050 to 1.065 sour base wort, and 6 gallon batches of 1.080+ wort.

Is 20 gallon the proper size kettle for what I want to do? I know 6 gallons post boil may be hard to chill in a 20 gallon kettle, and if that is the case I could always boil those batches in one of the 8 gallon kettles I currently have.

Also, if this is the right set up, are there any guesses on what efficiency I might get using a .025” crush?

I’d love to hear the process for your 8 gallon batch. I’m a newbie and want to do the same thing. Any recommendations or things I should know? Maybe a step by step guide? I’m looking for a recipe as well

 

[SourLover]

I’d love to hear the process for your 8 gallon batch. I’m a newbie and want to do the same thing. Any recommendations or things I should know? Maybe a step by step guide? I’m looking for a recipe as well

I do 5-6 gallon batches in in 8 gallon 3 vessel system. If I knew what I know now, I would have bought larger kettles to start with. I will still do 5-6 gallon 1.070 and lower batches on this system going forward.

I just purchased Spike Brewing's 30 gallon kettle to do some larger BIAB batches. Another, if I knew what I know now, I'd probably have gone straight to BIAB, after doing a couple of extract batches, instead of the 3 vessel system. I've got nothing but great things to say about the few small batch BIAB batches that I've done. Definitely check out this post, if you haven't already.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/thread...ly-is-mythbusting-for-traditionalists.686973/
When I decided to jump into this, I watched way too many videos and read way too many articles. There's a lot of information out there, especially on this site. You'll have to do your research, because what works for one person, may not work for another. There's a lot of people on this site that are extremely helpful to those of us that are just getting started in the hobby.

Check out the recipes section on this site. There's definitely a lot of great recipes on this site. Also, if you search through this site you'll find a lot of recommendations for what beginning brewers should brew. Here's one link below.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/6-beginner-beer-recipes-and-styles.679069/
I've read so many great posts on here it's hard to remember them all. Here's one that to me is definitely worth reading.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/thread...uve-made-to-upgrade-your-beer-quality.675886/

 

[Dog House Brew]

I do 5-6 gallon batches in in 8 gallon 3 vessel system. If I knew what I know now, I would have bought larger kettles to start with. I will still do 5-6 gallon 1.070 and lower batches on this system going forward.

I just purchased Spike Brewing's 30 gallon kettle to do some larger BIAB batches. Another, if I knew what I know now, I'd probably have gone straight to BIAB, after doing a couple of extract batches, instead of the 3 vessel system. I've got nothing but great things to say about the few small batch BIAB batches that I've done. Definitely check out this post, if you haven't already.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/thread...ly-is-mythbusting-for-traditionalists.686973/
When I decided to jump into this, I watched way too many videos and read way too many articles. There's a lot of information out there, especially on this site. You'll have to do your research, because what works for one person, may not work for another. There's a lot of people on this site that are extremely helpful to those of us that are just getting started in the hobby.

Check out the recipes section on this site. There's definitely a lot of great recipes on this site. Also, if you search through this site you'll find a lot of recommendations for what beginning brewers should brew. Here's one link below.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/6-beginner-beer-recipes-and-styles.679069/
I've read so many great posts on here it's hard to remember them all. Here's one that to me is definitely worth reading.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/thread...uve-made-to-upgrade-your-beer-quality.675886/

You made the right call going with a 30. IMO you bought the right brand too. If I were buying a new kettle it would be from Spike. I bought a 25g kettle years ago and wished many times it were a 30g. Can always use less, but it won’t go more. I kick myself fo not buying a 30.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

I wish I had known about the x3 rule for high gravity beers. I tried my first 5gal batch of a high grave (1.098 OG goal) and really screwed it up by not having enough space with my 10 gal. Ended up sparging almost with almost 3 gal to get my pre-boil where I wanted it ( looking back, I should have just made it a small batch). Screwing up is half the "fun" of learning!

This is my general plan. I have a 10 gallon kettle. I have found that works fine for just about all my beers. I can fit enough grain for around a 1.070 beer (target 5.5 gallons into the fermenter). The only higher gravity beers I make are Belgians (which have sugar added to the boil so the mash works fine) and a yearly batch of Imperial Stout. I can brew a 4 gallon version of the stout with a full volume mash. The last time I brewed a 5 gallon batch (5.5 gallons into the fermenter) and I just worked in a sparge. The addition of the sparge boosted my efficiency so I came in about 10 points higher than expected!

Honestly, I feel that 12 gallons kettles would be perfect for me...but I would rather deal with a sparge step for big beers than the extra size and weight of a 15 gallon kettle for every batch.