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Kettle Question

 
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mbfolk




Joined: 21 Jul 2019
Posts: 2
Location: Denver, NC


PostLink    Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2021 7:55 pm    Post subject: Kettle Question Reply with quote


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I am still really new to brewing and I have finished building my panel, I am looking at buying kettles now and wanted some input before I dropped the money. I am torn between 10 gal and 20 gal kettles. I want to get 20's but I dont think I will brew 10 gal batches very often if ever at the moment. I know its never a bad thing to buy bigger but if I am only wanting to do 5 gal batches should I stick to 10 gal kettles? I don't know if there are issues with brewing a 5 gallon batch in a 20 gallon kettle either. I appreciate the input!!
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Kettle sizing details here: https://shop.theelectricbrewery.com/pages/faq#How_much_beer_can_you_make_with_your_setup__What_size_kettles_should_I_buy__What_brand

There's also a lot of info here including a sizing guide: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/kettles-overview

If you only ever plan on brewing 5 gal batches then 10 gal kettles will work.
If you ever want to brew 10 gallon batches then 10 gal kettles will not be big enough.
You can brew 5 gallon batches in 20 gallon kettles as long as you stick with my build instructions (i.e. install the heating elements as low as possible).

Cheers!

Kal

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nickey




Joined: 07 Feb 2022
Posts: 31
Location: Kentucky


PostLink    Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2022 1:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Kal,

I am wanting to do some smaller 5 gallon batches and found this thread. The recipe I am going to be using calls for 7 gallons pre boil, then boiling down to 6 gallons. My system has a Blichmann 20 gallon kettle which, as far as I can tell, was built using your specs. I put 6 gallons of water in the kettle and it covers the element by an inch or so. Is this enough coverage to enable me to do the 5 gallon batches? I would think that I might not be able to boil as hard as I would if the batch was a normal 10 gallon.


Thanks for any advice you can give.
nickey
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2022 2:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

nickey wrote:
I put 6 gallons of water in the kettle and it covers the element by an inch or so. Is this enough coverage to enable me to do the 5 gallon batches?

As long as the element remains covered during the entire boil, you're ok. You need to know your boil off rate to figure this out. Take your pre-boil volume and minus your expected boil off volume expected. If that volume still has the element covered at the end of the boil, you're ok.

Boil off rate can vary depending on many factors (how hard you boil, kettle geometry, humidity level, if there's any wind, etc).

Kal

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Our new shop with over 150 new products: shop.TheElectricBrewery.com
We ship worldwide and support our products and customers for life.
Purchasing through our affiliate links helps support our site at no extra cost to you. We thank you!
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