Just bought an 80 litre esky. What size batch can I make?

[GalBrew]

The real question is how big is your boil kettle? To have a nice bit of headspace in reserve (to avoid boilovers) for a double batch you are going to need a 70L pot at absolute minimum, but 90-100L is far better. I can tell you boiling a 46L batch (into the fermenter) in a 70L pot is a PITA.

 

[Weizguy]

The real question is how big is your boil kettle? To have a nice bit of headspace in reserve (to avoid boilovers) for a double batch you are going to need a 70L pot at absolute minimum, but 90-100L is far better. I can tell you boiling a 46L batch (into the fermenter) in a 70L pot is a PITA.

As mentioned previously, I have an old 78-80 litre keggle, so that may do the job.

On the weekend just gone, I boiled a 53 litre runoff down to 45 in a 58 litre KK keggle, using about 1 ml of boil-over insurance (hop oil) and adjusting the flame back to a mild 90 minute rolling boil. Not sure where to go when the syringe of 'insurance' runs out.

 

[GalBrew]

As mentioned previously, I have an old 78-80 litre keggle, so that may do the job.

On the weekend just gone, I boiled a 53 litre runoff down to 45 in a 58 litre KK keggle, using about 1 ml of boil-over insurance (hop oil) and adjusting the flame back to a mild 90 minute rolling boil. Not sure where to go when the syringe of 'insurance' runs out.

I would think an 80L vessel would be ok. You may have to stick to 60 minute boils though.

 

[Grainer]

I threw in a mesh plate above my manifold to help with liquid seperation.. but i know a lot of people dont bother

 

[Weizguy]

Does it ever end! ... So now you buy a massive kettle and realise your tun is too small... LOL!
</chopped>I

Keep us posted.

:icon_cheers:

I moved up to a 150 litre kettle.
Took ages to drill a hole for a tap/ valve.
Exactly my thoughts regarding a bigger MT.
Have not brewed for a while. Maybe this Summer...

 

[philrob]

G'day Les, been along time since we've seen you.
I've moved from Port Stephens to Brisbane, so won't be back at HUB again.

 

[Weizguy]

Almost dried out since the last flood.
I'll need to clean the copper tubing.
Good to hear from ya.