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Author Topic: Brewpots  (Read 4418 times)

Offline DrewG

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Brewpots
« on: February 01, 2012, 09:35:35 am »
Looking to upgrade to a pot large enough for a 7 gallon starting volume. I like the northern brewer 8 gallon megapot with valve and thermometer. I am concerned it wont be big enough for a 7 gallon boil. Any recommendations?
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Offline tomsawyer

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Re: Brewpots
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2012, 09:43:58 am »
It'll work with Fermcap S.  Otherwise you'd be better off with a 10gal pot.
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Offline theDarkSide

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Re: Brewpots
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2012, 09:45:20 am »
It can be done, but it is not fun.

I'd go with at least a 10 gallon pot, but you need to consider if you will go to larger batches in the future.  I was doing full wort boils in a 7.5 gallon pot with Fermcap-S and a spray bottle of water.  I then moved to a 10 gallon pot since I doubt I will ever do more than 5 gallon batches.
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Offline Hokerer

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Re: Brewpots
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2012, 10:17:55 am »
Yeah, I'd recommend you definitely step up to at least a ten gallon.  I've got the ten gallon MegaPot from NB and it's just about perfect - no thermo nor valve though.  If you can install your own thermo and/or valve, you can get the identical pot for a lot less here...

http://www.instawares.com/stainless-steel-stock-pot-sps-40.upi-sps40.0.7.htm?view=list

...or here...

http://www.waresdirect.com/products/Restaurant-Supply/Update-International-/Stainless-Pot168823
Joe

Offline brushvalleybrewer

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Re: Brewpots
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2012, 10:21:42 am »
I've got a 10 and start with 7. I've only had one tiny boilover and that was from really not paying attention. There have been plenty of times when I thought it would go over, but 10 seems to be the right size for a 7 gallon start.
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Offline livefreebrewfree

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Re: Brewpots
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2012, 10:40:52 am »
I was just in this same position (see my thread at http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=10373.0 for the post I put up. I ended up getting a 10 gallon pot off Amazon and definitely don't regret it. I did a buddy brew day with two friends and they both had boilovers with their 8 gallon pots. Meanwhile, I was boiling away with no problems at all. So while I know budget fits into it a lot, you'll save yourself a ton of headaches if you save up a little more and get the bigger 10 gallon kettle.
« Last Edit: February 01, 2012, 11:02:57 am by livefreebrewfree »

Offline thetooth

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Re: Brewpots
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2012, 11:01:17 am »
With kettles, bigger is definitely better.  I have a 7.5g, 12g, and 25g.  I haven't actually used the 7.5g kettle in years now.  I use the 12g for my 5-8 gallon batches, and the 25g for 8-15 gallon batches.

Offline garc_mall

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Re: Brewpots
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2012, 11:43:42 am »
I have a 7.5 gallon Brewpot that I got with my turkey fryer. If I go over 6 gallons into it, I am almost guaranteed a boilover. One of my next purchases is going to be a 15g pot so I can do either 10g batches or long boils for some of my 5 gallon batches.

Offline euge

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Re: Brewpots
« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2012, 12:07:12 pm »
10 gallons would be an absolute minimum for a 7 gallon boil. I went with 80qts and rarely have problems, though for many a 60qt would be ideal.

Not big enough and you run into problems. Buy too small and you'll end up regretting it.
« Last Edit: February 01, 2012, 12:09:46 pm by euge »
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Offline Slowbrew

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Re: Brewpots
« Reply #9 on: February 01, 2012, 12:10:38 pm »
My 12g kettles works really well.  Even with the extra space it stills boils over now and then.  (See earlier comment made about not paying attention.  :'( )

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Offline DrewG

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Re: Brewpots
« Reply #10 on: February 02, 2012, 07:32:01 am »
Thanks for the advice guys, 10 gallon NB Megapot w/ therm and ball valve looks good........or maybe the blichmann.....that guys makes some great looking gear. Anyone have any?
« Last Edit: February 02, 2012, 07:35:15 am by drewbrews »
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Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Brewpots
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2012, 08:01:54 am »
On my 7.5 gallon kettle, a gallon of volume is 2 inches of vertical space.  When I start at 6.5 gallons it seems really close to the top. Now I have a 15 gallon kettle. Much better.
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Offline Gribble

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Re: Brewpots
« Reply #12 on: February 02, 2012, 01:40:51 pm »
If you have the ability to do it, either buy or build a keggle.  That way you're not buying a pot now and another pot later when you decide you want to do 10 gallon batches.
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Offline nateo

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Re: Brewpots
« Reply #13 on: February 03, 2012, 05:00:47 pm »
The only downside that I see with bigger pots is they weigh more. I have a 15g aluminum pot and it's really easy to lug around and scrub out, although batches smaller than 5 gallons are kind of awkward.
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Offline oceanselv

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Re: Brewpots
« Reply #14 on: February 03, 2012, 07:00:19 pm »
I use the 10 gallon mega pot for 7-8 gallon boils with no problem. If you get the valve and thermo, I would also recommend a site glass.
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