Starter Equipment

[kelper]

I started out using a 17l stock pot on our Bosch 4-ring induction hob in the kitchen,

Do you know the power of your hob? Some are 13A and share that between four hobs. Some need a 32A supply.

 

[SteveH]

Do you know the power of your hob? Some are 13A and share that between four hobs. Some need a 32A supply.

It's attached to a 32a circuit with the oven but I'm pretty sure the hob is only 13A - maybe a bigger one with a wok-burner etc would work better

 

[kelper]

It's attached to a 32a circuit with the oven but I'm pretty sure the hob is only 13A - maybe a bigger one with a wok-burner etc would work better

You could check the owner's manual...................................

 

[Chris17]

I started out using a 17l stock pot on our Bosch 4-ring induction hob in the kitchen, it was off ebay but the seller is out of stock atm.

It was (just) powerful enough to boil 15l for an hour (giving about 12l into the fermenter), but the ring wasn't really big/powerful enough and sometimes it'd cut out near the end of the boil.

Dealing with the steam was also a pain, our extractor hob would start dripping after a while and I had to mop it all up with a towel to avoid it getting back into the pot.

It worked though and helped me learn the process, so I'm not trying to put you off, but I think 10-12l batches in a <20l pot on a kitchen hob are more realistic than a 30-50l pot required for full 5-gallon batches (unless you boil a condensed wort then dilute, so-called "maxi BIAB").

I ended up getting a Robobrew all-in-one system after a while which is great, but a cheaper starting point if you definitely want to do full 5-gallon batches from the outset would be a boiler like https://brewkegtap.co.uk/collections/brewing-equipment/products/digiboil-35l-turbo-boiler - that is basically a Robobrew without the malt pipe (stainless version of a BIAB bag) or pump (useful for recirculation but not essential, you can do it manually with a jug and large collander to rest the bag in).

That said you started off saying you wanted to do 5 *litre* batches, so maybe just get an induction capable pot and give that (or 10-12l batches a go), it's the exact same process and less to lose if you make an error and a batch goes wrong - I still use my stock pot with the Robobrew to heat sparge water (still on the kitchen hob).

Steam isn't something I've thought about actually. I will just have to hope that my extractor hood is up for it, along with opening windows and doors!!

Sorry for the confusion, I am looking to start off with 1 gallon batches. I was just thinking I may aswell buy the biggest pot possible for when I move up to bigger batches. After your advice though I think I'll go for a smaller 17 or 21 Litre pot. By the time I move on to bigger batches I should have hopefully saved up a bit of money for either a larger portable heating source to use outside or an all-in-one system as you say.

 

[kelper]

I got my 17L stockpot for £22 here https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CS3X498

And a wee trivet to keep the bag off the bottom https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07D5FNLP5 for £8

I hope you're not married.

 

[MyQul]

Steam isn't something I've thought about actually. I will just have to hope that my extractor hood is up for it, along with opening windows and doors!!

Works for me with my 15L pot

 

[MyQul]

I got my 17L stockpot for £22 here https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CS3X498

And a wee trivet to keep the bag off the bottom https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07D5FNLP5 for £8

I hope you're not married.

Why do you need to keep the bag off the bottom of the pot? Do you heat the pot with the bag in it?

 

[kelper]

yes - boil in a bag - am I wrong?

 

[Rodcx500z]

Do you not just mash at lower temps with the bag in and then boil when mash is done

 

[MyQul]

yes - boil in a bag - am I wrong?

Im struggling to understand your process. So you put your bag in the pot with the heated mash water, then dough in. Once the mash is finished what do you do? Do you lift the bag? boil the bag with the grains inthe pot. I'm struggling to understand when you would heat the pot with the bag in. Apart from if you didn't hit your mash temp and you heated the pot a little to get up to temp

 

[kelper]

I've not done a BIAB yet.

 

[MyQul]

I've not done a BIAB yet.

ah, I see.

 

[Rodcx500z]

Hi Kelper, I heat water to mash temp insert the bag mash for 60 mins then a 10 minute dunk add to kettle then boil for 60 mins cool then add to fv and pitch yeast

 

[kelper]

Hi Kelper, I heat water to mash temp insert the bag mash for 60 mins then a 10 minute dunk add to kettle then boil for 60 mins cool then add to fv and pitch yeast

Thanks, I used my stockpot once, for a grain/DME mix without a bag. All OK. I ordered a bag to do AG but then decided to buy an all-in-one 50L setup.

 

[Harbey]

Another vote for the BIAB route. I went straight to this with good results. I've upgraded now of course, but the BIAB taught me everything I needed.