Mash Tun and HLT Size Question

I couldn't find this anywhere so hopefully I didn't miss something somewhere.

I have only done extract brewing so far and a couple small 1gal batches with specialty grains. I would like to step up to an all grain system but I've read that if you make a beer with a large gravity that the 5 gal cooler Mash Tun wont be able to accommodate all the grains needed and so you should use a 10 gal MLT instead. Sorry for the long drawn out but here is the question... Does the HLT need to be 10 gal too or can I use a 5 gal HLT with a 10 gal MLT?

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/how-big-your-mash-tun-needs-123585/

This should help you out.

I have a 5 gallon hlt and a 9 gallon mlt, you definitely need more than 5 gallons for mlt. At 9 gallons the highest abv I can do is 8%, without any sugars or the like added at boil, at 70% efficiency.

If I'm doing a 90 min boil and mash thick I usually need 5.5 - 6 gals of sparge water to end up with 5.5 gals in the fermenter. I use a 30 qt turkey fryer pot for HLT & BK.

jmh286 said:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/how-big-your-mash-tun-needs-123585/

This should help you out.

Click to expand...

Thanks jmh, I did see that. Was really trying to figure out if I could get by with a 5gal HLT for use with a 10gal MLT