5 gallon all grain

[bertoochy]

What size brew kettle should I use to brew 5 gallons of beer?

This will be an all grain brew.

Thanks

 

[angrysparrow]

You want the kettle to be big enough to prevent boilover. But also big enough so that your pre-boil volume will fit before accounting for evaporative loss.

8 gallons is the minimum I'd recommend for a 5 gallon batch size. But 10 probably would be better, especially for batches that require long boils (and hence more pre-boil volume).

 

[jakenbacon]

Well not knowing much else about your set up and boil off rate, I would recommend at least an 8 gallon kettle. This will help with hot break and also it will be able to hold excess wort that will be boiled off by the time your done...

 

[Math0]

For an all grain brew, you cannot manage a good system without at least a 8gal kettle thats for sure

 

[jrgtr42]

It CAN be done with a 30qt kettle (7.5gallons) but I don't recommend it.
That takes very careful regulation of heat and a lot of stirring as it comes up to avoid a boil-over.
8 gal is the minimum I would say to use.

 

[captainkirk83]

It CAN be done with a 30qt kettle (7.5gallons) but I don't recommend it.
That takes very careful regulation of heat and a lot of stirring as it comes up to avoid a boil-over.
8 gal is the minimum I would say to use.

I use a 30 qt pot and agree with this post. I should have gone with 10 gal and will in the future. The smaller pot makes it hard to do beer over 5% abv and requires more attention during the boil.

 

[GASoline71]

I use an 8 gallon pot and my boil starts with 6.5 gallons. Needless to say it can get a little close to boilover. Over the last 3 years, I've pretty much mastered the art of heat/flame control to keep it from a boilover. I'm going to switch to a 10 gallon pot soon...

Gary

 

[dmashl]

I use a 5 gallon pot, 4 gallon boil. top off in the fermenter to 5.25 gallon. you need to adjust the hop schedule accordingly.

 

[billl]

+1 to the 10 gallon. You an squeak by with 8 gallons, but it doesn't leave much/any room for error. It's well worth the extra couple bucks up front to make your brew day a little easier for years to come.

 

[freisste]

I use a 5 gallon pot, 4 gallon boil. top off in the fermenter to 5.25 gallon. you need to adjust the hop schedule accordingly.

All grain? If so, what gravity?

 

[Cider123]

Are you doing the BIAB process? I BIAB and started with a 10 gallon. It was too small since I mashed in full water volume with no sparge. I sold it and went with a 15 gallon and have never looked back. Plenty of room and never close to a boil over.

 

[dmashl]

All grain? If so, what gravity?

Yes, all grain. Use a 5 gallon mash tun. no more than 12 lbs grain(usually 10-11 lbs). usually 1.050 or so on my gravity readings. Makes some damn fine beer.

 

[freisste]

Yes, all grain. Use a 5 gallon mash tun. no more than 12 lbs grain(usually 10-11 lbs). usually 1.050 or so on my gravity readings. Makes some damn fine beer.

Ok. I was just curious. I do AG BIAB and when I use my small pot (5 gal) I can do about the same and get to about 1.060-1.070 at max. I'd never recommend it because it is borderline overflowing and a huge PITA, but like you said - damn fine beer.

Usually just use the larger pot for that exact reason. Way easier.