so… twice the grains and everything means twice the propane too? Something I didn’t consider. Good thing I just filled up, but anyone got any input?
No, not twice the propane, but a little more to get the initial boil going, then pretty much the same volume to keep it going.
Not twice, since the larger volume holds and possibly absorbs heat better, but I’d say more than a little more. It’s probably more like smaller batches have more wasted heat.
Extra time too, heating and cooling wort will take longer.
I agree, extra time to heat the liquor. I got a 20 gallon boil kettle and now heat all the liquor at the same time. Once the water reaches my mash in temp I drain off what I need into my mash tun and leave the rest to ramp up to sparge temps and then drain it off to a cooler. Saves a little time.
Oh, and with 10 gallons you have twice as much beer! 
twice as much beer is nice. it seems there’s a whole new set of rules with 10 gal batches. or rather more amendments to the rules.
i didn’t consider the chilling either. that took a while.
“I’m gonna need a bigger boat!”
10 gallons is the way to go. For the same amount of work and cleaning involved with just a tiny bit more time added for heating a larger volume, it’s worth it. You get double the beer :-/ <–this is my “do I need to say do the math” face
A longer brew day and a few more logistics if space is limited, but well worth it for me.
Actually, when you brew a “10 gallon batch” how much actually ends up in the kegs or bottles? I’ve found it’s better to knock out 11-12 gallons to ensure kegs get filled completely and the excess can be used for taste testing.
Started doing this years ago after consistently ending up with less than what I expected.
10 Gallons also means more experimentation and learning about yeast. Split up 2 x 5 gallons with 2 different yeasts, you make two completely different beers. Put one in the fridge at 62F and keep the other at 68F. Dry hop one and not the other. It’s endless fun! ;D
Dave
I get four, ten gallon batches out of each propane tank. That’s why I have five tanks sitting around.
+1-I have 3 tanks sitting around at all times.
Just brewed 10G of Steam Beer last night and have 5G fermenting away at 58F and 5G fermenting away at 67F. Used 2112 in both. Another interesting experiment!
I got my construction friend to hook me up with a nice 100# propane tank. Its been 1 year and 25 batches and not even close to being empty. I loving having buddies that work constructon.