[nofunsally]

I plan on doing two 'kettles' per one batch right now. I am not sure I could make myself brew less than 5 gallons.  I am unsure if I could get more than 5 gallons boiling on my stove top.

Thanks again for the help,
Cheers,
MJ

[euge]

I plan on doing two 'kettles' per one batch right now. I am not sure I could make myself brew less than 5 gallons.  I am unsure if I could get more than 5 gallons boiling on my stove top.

Thanks again for the help,
Cheers,
MJ

Yup. Brewing All-Grain is a different "kettle" than extract.  You're running up against a capacity barrier. You'll have to decide for yourself but I see difficulties for you unless you buy a bigger pot and most likely a burner to heat it with.

My opinion is that a 40 qt is the minimum size to end up with 5 gallons and a 60 qt such as a keggle is much more appropriate.

[gimmeales]

Even when sparging with correct volumes, I was regularly getting only 55-60% extraction efficiency on my first half-dozen all-grain batches.  After looking at all other factors, including my crush (I crush my own), and water profile, and stirring during the mash, simply recirculating my entire first runnings 2 or 3 times bumped my efficiency up to 70%.  Also making sure to get my sparge water hot enough - my larger MLT soaks up a significant amount of heat.

I mash in a large rectangular cooler (I think 60-qt. w/stainless braid manifold), and batch sparge and wonder if my MLT geometry is a factor.  My grain bed is thick enough by most accounts (> 4 inches deep), but position and size of my manifold may be a factor.

[denny]

I mash in a large rectangular cooler (I think 60-qt. w/stainless braid manifold), and batch sparge and wonder if my MLT geometry is a factor.

If you batch sparge, that isn't a factor.

[nofunsally]

Hello,

I brewed a witbier and a brown ale this past weekend. Using the suggestions here things are looking better.  Admittedly, I need to get my 'volumes' more exact.  These mashes were definitely thinner than anything else I've done.  I was near 2 qts per pound. I ended up collecting more wort too (than previous brews) and boiling in two pots.

For the wit the efficiency into the fermenter was 73% and for the brown the efficiency into the fermenter was 78%.

Thank for the help,
Cheers,
MJ

[gail]

Sounds promising, MJ.  Please let us know how the beers turn out.

[Hokerer]

For the wit the efficiency into the fermenter was 73% and for the brown the efficiency into the fermenter was 78%.

Thank for the help,
Cheers,
MJ

Way to go!  Glad the suggestions here helped.

[tom]

Mmmmm, beer!