Brew Kettle - Newbie knows not

[Juniper Hill]

I'm looking for a brew kettle. My plan is to use it for extract kits and likely some all grain brewing, 5-6 gallon batches. I'm thinking about the 9 Gallon SS Two Weld Brew Pot from Ontario Beer Kegs.

Questions:
1. Will 9 gallons be large enough or should I get the 15 gallon kettle
2. Should I order the thermometer and bazooka screen?
3. Do I need to monitor the temp of the boil?

Thanks for your help!

[bluenose]

save yourself some time and go straight to the 19 gal kettle

[Jimmy]

1)I'd go with the 15g if it was me; 19g is quite big if you never plan on going with 10g batches. If you do end up going with a 19g pot and do 5g brews, you should know that the built in 2nd port (which will probably be used for a thermometer) will not be submerged.

2)I'd definitely go with a thermometer - I have no experience with a bazooka screen, but I'm thinking it's useless when you start throwing pellet hops in there. I'd gear up a diptube.

3) You don't need to monitor the temp of the boil, but the thermometer is nice to get an idea of how close you are to a boil, as well as giving you the ability to monitor your temperature while chilling (if you're using an immersion chiller). If you ever plan on doing BIAB, the thermometer is a nice addition because you can see strike water temp, mash temp, and chilling temp.

[mr x]

If you plan on staying at 5 gallons, the 9 should be fine.

Probably want the thermometer, not sure about the bazooka screen, I've never used one, but I'd guess yes you want one.

Don't need to monitor the temperature of the boil, but it's nice to watch the rise so you can get ready for boilovers.

[bluenose]

forget what I said

[Jayme]

We use a 9 gallon pot for 5 gallon batches. Ideally, it would be nice for it to be 10 or even 11 gallons, but it's not necessary. Just makes boiling over a little less likely. If you ever intend on doing extended boils (certain styles require that), 9 gallons is small but there are still ways around it. If it were me though, I would probably buy the 15 gallon so if you do decide to do some 10 gallon batches, you easily can.

Tried a bazooka screen once - clogged in about 30 seconds... They must work for some people but I would seek out a better option. I always use a thermometer to monitor the temperature rise to a boil - we run the burner wide open until we hit 90C, then drop it down to ease into a boil and avoid a boil over. Also quite handy for chilling.

[canuck]

I've got 9 gal and 15 gal kettles, and one of the drawbacks of the 15 gal kettle when doing 5 gal batches is that my immersion chiller is only submerged half way and takes longer chilling it down than when it's in my 9 gal. Just something to consider if you plan on using an immersion chiller.

[sleepyjamie]

15 gallon here.

pros:

- dont have to worry too much about boil overs.
- can scale up to 10 gallon batches if u ever need to

[Jayme]

I've got a 9 gal and 15 gal kettles, and one of the drawbacks of the 15 gal kettle is that my immersion chiller is only submerged half way and takes longer chilling it down than when it's in my 9 gal. Just something to consider if you plan on using an immersion chiller.

If he doesn't already have one and plans to build, he could always tailor it to the pot. That said, how is it possible that your chiller is fully submerged in a 9 gal pot and only half submerged in a 15 gal? Is your 15 gal kettle really, really wide and short?

[canuck]

I've got a 9 gal and 15 gal kettles, and one of the drawbacks of the 15 gal kettle is that my immersion chiller is only submerged half way and takes longer chilling it down than when it's in my 9 gal. Just something to consider if you plan on using an immersion chiller.

If he doesn't already have one and plans to build, he could always tailor it to the pot. That said, how is it possible that your chiller is fully submerged in a 9 gal pot and only half submerged in a 15 gal? Is your 15 gal kettle really, really wide and short?

Yep. Both kettles are virtually the same height but my 15 gal pot is 5" wider than my 9 gal. He could certainly build an IC specifically for his pot, but just thought I'd throw it out there as something to consider.

[Juniper Hill]

Thanks guys, that's very helpful feedback. Looks like I'll have to decide between 9 and 15 gallons. 15 gallons would also be okay for boiling maple syrup, if I ever do that again. I'll stear clear of the bazooka screen.

I will have to get a wort chiller. Looks pretty doable to build one from some copper tubing. Should be able to fit it to the pot.

Cheers,

Neil

[sleepyjamie]

Thanks guys, that's very helpful feedback. Looks like I'll have to decide between 9 and 15 gallons. 15 gallons would also be okay for boiling maple syrup, if I ever do that again. I'll stear clear of the bazooka screen.

I will have to get a wort chiller. Looks pretty doable to build one from some copper tubing. Should be able to fit it to the pot.

Cheers,

Neil

Depending on your chilling methods and how you plan on extracting the wort from the kettle you might want to consider a bazooka screen. I have a pump and a plate chiller and I use the bazooka screen to block any hops and reduce trub transfer from my kettle to the primary.

The bazooka screen from OBK I think is around $9. They are also useful for the mashtun.