Time for boil what are my options?
Well I'm starting to try to do each process of the AG brews with more efficiency and i'm a little worried about my boil because the last brew i did didn't really boil at all. it was at the target temp but didn't really seem like it was "Boiling". first let me say I split my 5 gallon batch into 2 5 gallon pots. I boiled the last on on the stove thinking that 3 gallons x2 separate burners could handle it. can i use my grill outside or do i have to go purchase a stand and propane burner? Will my kitchen burners handle the volume or am I just paranoid? this is the greatest hobby in the world i just can't wait to make a beer that i'm totally happy with. I know i have so much to learn thanks for all your help
You certainly want a good vigorous boil. It helps to isomerize the hop acids properly I believe, and also provides hot break. I don't think your outdoor grill would cut it either. It may be easier to just get a stand and burner for outdoor use, but you're stove may be able to get it going, but probably not the full 5 galons at once....
Money maybe tight , but a propane cooker costs about the same as a batch of ingredients.
If you get a crappy boil you'll make crappy beer, then your out the money for the ingredients anyway.
Just buy a burner and go for it.
JMO
yeah thanks i think i just needed the extra push. I'm going out this weekend and picking up a stand and burner. i see the turkey fryers have a set with pot stand burner regulator for about 60 bucks. would you guys recommend this because i also will need a bigger pot now as i have 2 5 gallons that i use to split the 5gallon batch and I’ll need at least a 6 or 7 gallon pot now for the full boil.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ … hasJS=true
i was thinking this one. let me know what you guys think or if you have any better suggestions
I would just get a regular burner. If you read over the description, it will remind you that as of 2007 all turkey fryers must have timers that will shut off unless you keep resetting it. Also, the BTUs are fairly weak on those turkey burners. The one that I had could not produce a full rolling boil without a cover, which was no good. And that pot is probably aluminum, but that's an endless debate. I used aluminum at first, so I can't bash it too much. I just prefer SS now, as it's way easier to clean and more durable. Worth the extra cash.
I have 15 gallon SS from Cabelas, and a super burner that hits 210000 BTUs.....only 20 minutes to boil 8 gallons of cold water...hot mashed wort should be rolling in 10 or less....
Obviously, money is always a factor as well, but I wouldn't skimp on supplies like this. They will last, and you'll probably want them eventually. And if you never plan to do 10 gallon batches, you can get a 7-8 gallon SS pot for less than you think......
I went with the Bayou Classic SQ14. It ran me $50 from Ace Hardware but I'd be willing to bet you can get it for a little less right now at Home Depot and Lowe's. It has a 10psi regulator that puts out 55K BTU but there are some out there with a 15psi regulator. I can get 8 gallons of mashed wort to a boil in about 10 minutes. It does its job and I have no complaints.
Holy crap FirePit?!?! You have a 55K and it gets your 8 gallons going in 10 minutes....I may only have a couple minutes then with a full 210,000 BTUs....
Yeah, I timed it yesterday when I brewed though I've never kept track before. I think it was closer to 12 minutes though. It must have been a fluke though because I don't remember it ever getting to a boil that soon. I'll time it again when I brew next week.
ok i'll search tonight for that bayou at my lowes or home depot. i'll keep you posted.
thanks
Well... I'm still the lowly guy brewing on the stove top. I was actually going to get a propane burner and build a 3 tier setup, but after working in a brewery lately and learning a TON of things about beer and all kinds of tricks (things I have never seen mentioned here)... I am reworking my plans.
I drew out a schematic with my dad to build a metal frame with a hot water heater for a strike/HLT tank, copper piping, ball valve manifold, pumps, the whole works. I already have some of the equipment. So far I have redrawn the schematic almost a dozen times.
But as far as boiling on the stove, I have 3 pots... the largest burner will get the largest pot going, but the other two don't have big burners. I set all on high and leave the lids on everything until boiling. Once the large pot has a full rolling boil going, I take the lid off, but the others I keep it on half way. If you leave the lid on, you risk DMS, a biproduct of the malting process. So keeping the lids half off I still get a fair boil and no DMS.