We
recommend a Three Kettle System for typical Batch Sizes (Hot Lauter
Tank/Mash/Boil). Please reference the
chart below for specific capacities:
5
gal batch = 10 gallon HLT / 10 gallon Mash Tun / 10 gallon Boil Kettle
10
gal batch = 15 gallon HLT / 15 gallon Mash Tun / 20 gallon Boil Kettle
15-20
gal batch = 20 gallon HLT / 20 gallon Mash Tun / 30 gallon Boil Kettle
30
gal batch = 30 gallon HLT / 30 gallon Mash Tun / 55 gallon Boil Kettle
It
is also possible to brew multiple batch sizes, for example a 5 and 10 gallon
batch with the following sizes. Please
note that you may need to add additional makeup water to your boil kettle.
Another option for smaller batch sizes is to use a thinner mash - this will
help maintain temperatures and also allow the thermometer to read the mash.
Blichmann offers a thermometer hole plug so you may locate the thermometer at a
lower position for smaller batches and the higher position for bigger batch
size.
5/10:
5 gallon: 20 gallon HLT / 10 gallon Mash Tun / 15 gallon Boil Kettle
10 gallon: 10 gallon HLT / 15 gallon Mash Tun / 20 gallon Boil Kettle
10/20: 10 gallon: 30 gallon HLT / 15 gallon Mash Tun / 20 gallon Boil Kettle
20 gallon: 15 gallon HLT / 20 gallon Mash Tun / 30 gallon Boil Kettle
20/30: 20 gallon: 55 gallon HLT / 20 gallon Mash Tun / 30 gallon Boil Kettle
30 gallon: 20 gallon HLT / 30 gallon Mash Tun / 55 gallon Boil Kettle
An
optional hole plug is available so that you may install the TherMometer in
multiple locations. Ideal for brewing
multiple batch sizes in one pot!
Boil kettles: love2brew recommends that you always do a
full wort boil this will minimize the addition of top-up water to compensate
for boil-off and starting with the volume called for in your recipe will let
you know early in the process if you've hit your target gravity giving you more
time to correct the problem. Also,
you'll get more consistent hop utilization by sticking to the recipe volumes,
as utilization changes significantly with specific wort gravity. Last is boil-over prevention, having enough
head space will keep this problem at bay.
love2brew
recommends a boil kettle approximately 2 times the size of the finished batch
size. Although this may sound like a bit
much, a 10 gal batch will typically start with 13-14 gal pre-boil once you
compensate for cooling contraction, transfer losses, and boil off. This will allow for a reasonable head space
to reduce boil-over problems. For
example, if you're a 10 gallon batch brewer, you would select the 20 gal
BoilerMaker™ brew pot as your boil kettle.
Mash Vessels: We recommend filling
your mash vessel no more than 75% of capacity.
This will allow sufficient space for dough-in of the grains and
additions of sparge water and sparge arms, etc.
The chart below includes various water to grist ratios to assist you in
your selection. The green column is our
recommended water to grist ratio.
Minimum volumes are to ensure that the thermometer probe is adequately
submerged, and also so you have an adequate grain bed depth for proper wort
filtration.
Approximate mash capacity - lb of grain @ 75% full
|
Gallons
|
Recommended Boil Capacity (finished batch size)
|
HLT Capacity (approx)
|
1.00 qt/lb
|
1.25 qt/lb
|
1.5 qt/lb
|
1.75 qt/lb
|
2.00 qt/lb
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
5
|
8
|
24
|
20
|
17
|
15
|
13
|
15
|
8
|
13
|
37
|
30
|
26
|
23
|
20
|
20
|
10
|
17
|
49
|
41
|
35
|
30
|
27
|
30
|
15
|
25
|
73
|
61
|
52
|
45
|
40
|
55
|
32
|
48
|
134
|
111
|
95
|
83
|
74
|
Approximate mash capacity - lb of grain @ 75% full
|
Gallons
|
Recommended lauter rate (gpm)
|
Max recirc rate (gpm) for RIMS
|
Kettle dead space (gal)
|
Diameter (in) of sidewall
|
Diameter (in) base of step
|
Height (in)
|
Volume to thermo stem (gal)*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
0.19
|
0.75
|
0.13
|
13.8
|
10.9
|
16.5
|
4
|
15
|
0.25
|
1
|
0.19
|
15.7
|
12.8
|
18.9
|
6.5
|
20
|
0.33
|
1.25
|
0.22
|
17.7
|
14.8
|
20.9
|
8.25
|
30
|
0.4
|
1.5
|
0.28
|
19.7
|
16.8
|
23.6
|
10.25
|
55
|
0.55
|
2.25
|
0.5
|
23.6
|
20.7
|
28.3
|
15
|
Hot
Liquor Tanks: love2brew recommends
sizing your HLT the same size as your mash tun to ensure you have plenty of
sparge water available on brew day.