Small batch brewing

[Robin54]

Stupid question here....
Thinking of doing some kit tweaks that require small boils...
Would it be best to buy a 15L stock pot which can then be used later
should i want to move over to 10L all grain in the future..
Im assuming here that a 10L pot would be too small for making 10 litres of beer, with all the additions needed??
Thanks for you're replies.

 

[Brew_DD2]

I use a 15L for 10L batches and I'd actually advocate going a little bigger. I find that I want to boil about 14 litres to finish off at 10 litres and despite my best efforts, you just cannot do that safely in a 15l pot :lol:.

 

[GlentoranMark]

If you've an electric cooker, remember it may struggle getting a bigger pot up to the boil. If your using gas then disregard this post.

Have you thought about a dedicated boiler

 

[gl0ckage]

I started with a tea urn and used it for biab which was what turned me to biab full time. I ended up buying the mango chutney barrels and putting kettle elements in as the small brews were never as good as a full 23L brew. The barrels hold 50L so can upscale more and can safely maintain a rolling boil without spilling over.

 

[chub1]

If you've an electric cooker, remember it may struggle getting a bigger pot up to the boil. If your using gas then disregard this post.

Have you thought about a dedicated boiler

Yup, We are electric. Even our new cooker is very slow to get even 8 litres onto a rolling boil!

 

[Covrich]

I have a 15 liiter pot which I use for smaller brews and storing my milled grains .. It can do 10 liter GA but only just,. I think Brew DD2 is right , I have topped up the sparge water when the boil went down.. but its a bit risky when its 1cm from the top, so if you long term want to do 10l AG I would look at a bigger pot maybe 19l to give you extra comfort

 

[donchiquon]

I was mulling over the same question at the start of the year and bought a 30l ACE boiler on eBay.

At £100 it worked out more than a stockpot, but comes with various bits that are really useful for AG such as a bazooka filter, ball valve, false bottom, and grain bag.

It's a great size for 10l brews but I've done a few 23l ones now which have gone well.

It's a good all in one solution if you're trying out biab or AG. If you decide later on to add more vessels it will always make a great mash tun or hlt. Lots of flexibility for the future!

 

[Robin54]

Im thinking along the induction heater route as well

 

[Robin54]

I was mulling over the same question at the start of the year and bought a 30l ACE boiler on eBay.

At ��£100 it worked out more than a stockpot, but comes with various bits that are really useful for AG such as a bazooka filter, ball valve, false bottom, and grain bag.

It's a great size for 10l brews but I've done a few 23l ones now which have gone well.

It's a good all in one solution if you're trying out biab or AG. If you decide later on to add more vessels it will always make a great mash tun or hlt. Lots of flexibility for the future!

Which make did you buy...dont answer that..stoopid question by me

 

[donchiquon]

Which make did you buy...dont answer that..stoopid question by me

There is no such thing!.....If I had a pint for every time I'd misread a post.....:drunk:

Have a look at this thread....loads of info on the ACE boiler - I found it really useful.

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=54132