I am switching to all grain and therefore want to be able to do full boils. Through my research on the internet I saw that most of them come with 7.5 gallon pots. I have heard/read that boil overs will happen a lot and that I should get a bigger pot. I would like to save some money on buying a seperate pot so does anyone know where I can get a bigger pot that comes with a propane fryer for a decent price? Links would be appreciated.
I used a 7.5gal fryer pot for a long time before upsizing my pot. There were a few boilovers, but with a lot of attention and using some anti-foam (fermCapS) that problem can be dealt with.
It was just another step in the progression in upgrading my equipment.
You could do 3 gallon batches until you get a larger brew pot. I’m currently doing 3 gallon batches until I upgrade some equipment.
I use a 7.5 turkey fryer pot most of the time (if I’m not using the 15 gal SS ;D).
To over come boil-over I run about 4 gallon in the pot and the rest (~2-1/2 gallon) in another container. Immediately after the hot break I dump the remainder of the wort in the boil kettle and then get a “mini break” and then start the time.
You can find a 15G aluminum kettle on Amazon for about $100. Stainless is a little more.
With 5 gallon batches you’ll be starting the boil with 6-6.5 gallons. 1-1.5 gallons of headspace sounds like a lot, but in reality this is only 2-3 inches of space. You must pay really close attention to avoid boilovers.
That said, I used one for years and paid close attention at hot break - never had a problem. Now I have a much larger pot that I can relax with - and I’ve had a few boilovers because I’m not paying attention at the right time.
This came up on homebrewfinds.com the other day:
10 gallon aluminium pot for $42 shipped.
Amazon.com
You’re tempting me to buy another pot…
WOW! Not that he needs anything this big but there is only a $10 difference between the 50QT and the 80QT.
That’s a great price on the 10G, for sure.
Paul
12.5g bot and burner came up on homebrew finds today.
I use a turkey fryer and the 7.5 gallon aluminum pot it came with. I have had 3 or 4 boil overs in my 15 batches, and it always happens when life is getting in the way. If I need more than 6.5 gallons pre-boil, I boil the overflow in a pot on my stove top, and add it back into the boiling wort somewhere near the end.
I have read a lot about Fermcap S and it seems I’ll pick some up and try it with a 5 gallon batch I have planned. If it works great, I’ll keep brewing up 5 gallon batches. If it doesn’t work to my liking I’ll just make smaller batches. Smaller batches means more chances to brew. But from what I read it works fairly well.
Fermcap is great if you’re lacking headspace.
Since I found out that Fermcap is supposed to be filtered out, I’ve cut way back on my use of it. For instance, I’ve gone back to using a spray bottle of water to control the boil. I"ll still use it when I have to, but I use as little as possible and avoid it if I can.
Where did you hear that?
Answer my own questions with Google.
Probrewer forum and data from one of the wholesalers who sells Fermcap.
" It is adsorbed onto the surface of the yeast, vessel walls and filter media. "
I thought the site I found said that only Fermcap S must be filtered, Fermcap AT does not. No real distinction on your link.
I only use it in starters, but that makes me wonder. Good old paying attention works for the kettle.
I had heard that also, so I bought some AT. But I’ve come around to your way of thinking…I use a little for starters, but I’m back to using a spray bottle for the kettle.
Fermcap also seems to be degraded when exposed to longer boils (90-120 min). I recently did a batch where I over sparge by alot (though the ph and gravity wee all still above the warning area [1.018 and ph was around 5.5]). I ended up with about 9-11g of liquid for a 5.5g batch. I ended up boiling for roughly 4 hrs and had to add 2 additions of fermcap, since the first stopped after 90-120 minute mark.