5 gallon batches

jtlemig · Joined: 08 Nov 2016 Posts: 3

Hello all,

I am looking at building an electric brewery and am wondering about kettle size. I currently make 5 gallon batches and I think I'd actually like to continue making that batch size, for the most part. I may occasionally make 10 gallon batches, but for the most part, I see myself making 5 gallon batches at a time for for the foreseeable future.

However, given the cost of equipment, I don't want to buy 10 gallon kettles and then have to spend a ton to upgrade to bigger kettles when I want to be a part of the cool kids' 10gal batch club. Very Happy

So, my question is - can I brew 5 gallon batches using 20 gallon kettles? If so, what are the drawbacks/things to watch out for? I'm guessing I'll need to "overfill" the HLT to keep the HERMS coil completely submerged, even while sparging. I'm not concerned about having a couple gallons of wasted water per brew day (I'm guessing I'll be brewing max once per month, so that's an acceptable amount of loss for me). And depending on where the brewmometers are placed, they may not be submerged, so I won't get a reading on those. But the temp probes are low enough that I think it should not be a problem for the Control Panel to get a reading/signal? And as far as height of the heating elements, I believe 5-7.5 gallons in the boil kettle will keep the element covered? (my biggest boils on my current system can start out at ~7.5 gallons and end up down to ~5.5 gallons, depending on boil off for given style/recipe.)

So I guess I'm wondering are there any concerns or concrete reasons why I should NOT brew a 5 gallon batch using 20 gallon kettles?

Thanks!

Jon

**kal** · Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 3:04 am Post subject: Re: 5 gallon batches

jtlemig · Joined: 08 Nov 2016 Posts: 3

That's great! Thanks for the feedback.

**kal** · Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 2:34 pm Post subject:

jphussey · Joined: 17 Oct 2012 Posts: 171

I just finished my 20G Kal Clone and plan to brew a 5 gallon batch today. I had the ingredients left over from a recipe I designed for my old setup, so figured I'd just give em a go! I do plan to do 10G batches mostly, but I'll report back if I have any issues.

All your questions were great and exactly the things I've been working through as I do my leak tests/brew-day drills.

Welcome!

jtlemig · Joined: 08 Nov 2016 Posts: 3

That sounds great, thanks for the note. I'd love to hear how it goes.

Good luck! Mug

perogi · Posted: Mon May 07, 2018 2:33 am Post subject:

Opening up this old thread. I'd like to brew a few 5-6 gallon batches and wondering how other people are doing with their set up. Thanks!

windquest · Joined: 13 May 2018 Posts: 27 Location: Apache Jct, AZ

**kal** · Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 10:06 pm Post subject:

windquest · Joined: 13 May 2018 Posts: 27 Location: Apache Jct, AZ

Thanks Kal, after more reading and thinking, I think I have decided to go with 20 gal kettles. I am not sure I can justify Blitchmann for the boil and HLT, Mash maybe. Panel parts in so there is lots to do. Thanks again Kal for all you do.

Henry

rcrabb22 · Joined: 23 Dec 2010 Posts: 462 Location: Illinois

FWIW - I use this kettle for my HLT.

http://www.cozydays.com/cookware/stockpots/stockpot-lid-82-qt-stainless-steel-1197.html

daboyce67 · Joined: 15 Aug 2014 Posts: 43 Location: Hayward, Wisconsin

Forgive me if this is really a clueless question, but on a similar note I originally started to build my system with 20 gallon HTL and BK and a 10 gallon MLT. I had previously purchased the 10 gallon BoilerMaker and to save some money at the time thought I'd use it for the BK. Sometime later I changed my mind and purchased a 20 gallon BM for the MLT. So, here's my question - since I happen to have both size MLTs, if doing 5 gallon batches, is there an advantage to using the 10 gallon MLT over the 20 gallon? Does the 10 gallon MLT work better with the smaller volume required for the 5 gallon batch or, would the 20 gallon, because of its larger circumference, afford more of the grain to be in contact with liquid, increasing the efficiency of the mash process?

Or is it strictly 6 of one ...?

**kal** · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2018 5:32 pm Post subject:

cellarbrew · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 2 Location: UK

Sorry if this is a silly question, but how do the (relatively high wattage) elements cope with doing the rolling boil on this reduced (5 gallon) volume? Do they cycle on and off based on the temp you put in the pid (I guess 100C for boil?)? I am just starting out and cant really afford the control board etc upfront and was trying to work out how to manually do small volumes in large pots so I don't have to upgrade the pots later.

**kal** · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 12:09 am Post subject:

cellarbrew · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 2 Location: UK

Hi Kal,

thanks for the response and the awesome website. Been a long time lurker and keep coming back to look and try and learn. I think I might have to do my boil temp another way until I can find more funds. Looking at doing voltage regulation on the elements during the boil.