When is a kettle too big?

[Bill Black]

I have a chance to pick up a 30gal brew easy at a good price.

I brew mainly 5-10 gallons but want to upgrade to electric all grain. Is this system too big for a 5 gallon batch? Its overkill for sure... but could I do it?

Thinking about temp sensor placement etc.

Look forward to the feedback. Thanks!

 

[Jag75]

Man 30 gallon is massive . However it's better to have more then enough room then not enough . You can do big beers in that sucker , no worry of boil overs . The only thing is you may have more of a boil off .

 

[Bill Black]

So thickness of grainbed isnt really a concern for wort clarity? I read that on one site regarding recommended kettle size for batch size, but haven't seen it anywhere else.

 

[Jag75]

I've helped at a local brewery . Did 1 barrel batch in a 7 barrel system with no issues.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

I used to brew in a converted beer keg when I did 5 gallons. Never had to worry about a boil over!

 

[Bill Black]

I used to brew in a converted beer keg when I did 5 gallons. Never had to worry about a boil over!

Ha! Very true. I doubt I'll ever brew a 20 gallon batch, but the system is around 800 bucks.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

I got a used kettle (former lived life as a beer keg) with soldered valve for, believe less than, $50.00

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

I just realized I still have the converted beer keg/kettle. I no longer use. Are you local to me? Interested in it?

 

[Bill Black]

I just realized I still have the converted beer keg/kettle. I no longer use. Are you local to me? Interested in it?

Thanks for offer! And nope - I'm in Kansas City. Been looking at 10-15 gallon kettles when I came across this 30 gallon system... just trying to sort through things.

 

[Bill Black]

I've helped at a local brewery . Did 1 barrel batch in a 7 barrel system with no issues.

That's good to know, and similar proportion difference! Maybe with a broader grain bed I just wouldn't need to worry ad mucj about channeling during mash.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

And nope - I'm in Kansas City.

Hmm... makes me think of a Wilbert Harrison song

 

[odie]

30 gal kettle? well if you are doing up to 10 gal batches...should be perfect for a 10 gal RIS or other high gravity BIAB beer...

 

[Bobby_M]

No, you can't realistically do 5 gallons in a 30. The element would be at about the 4 gallon mark. If you turn it into a BIAB rig, the grain bag would need to be above the element. It's even borderline to do 5 gallons in a 22 gallon pot. You ought to downsize the pot or upsize your batch to 10 gallons.

 

[Blazinlow86]

No, you can't realistically do 5 gallons in a 30. The element would be at about the 4 gallon mark. If you turn it into a BIAB rig, the grain bag would need to be above the element. It's even borderline to do 5 gallons in a 22 gallon pot. You ought to downsize the pot or upsize your batch to 10 gallons.

I agree with bobby. I have a 25 gallon concord kettle as a bk that's slightly wider than ideal and the element needs 5 gallons just to be submerged. I did 7 gallon batch once and it was really close at the end of the boil. I'd pass and do a ebiab personally with a smaller kettle. Cheers