Starter Equipment

SteveH said:

I started out using a 17l stock pot on our Bosch 4-ring induction hob in the kitchen,

Click to expand...

kelper said:

Do you know the power of your hob? Some are 13A and share that between four hobs. Some need a 32A supply.

Click to expand...

SteveH said:

It's attached to a 32a circuit with the oven but I'm pretty sure the hob is only 13A - maybe a bigger one with a wok-burner etc would work better

Click to expand...

SteveH said:

I started out using a 17l stock pot on our Bosch 4-ring induction hob in the kitchen, it was off ebay but the seller is out of stock atm.

It was (just) powerful enough to boil 15l for an hour (giving about 12l into the fermenter), but the ring wasn't really big/powerful enough and sometimes it'd cut out near the end of the boil.

Dealing with the steam was also a pain, our extractor hob would start dripping after a while and I had to mop it all up with a towel to avoid it getting back into the pot.

It worked though and helped me learn the process, so I'm not trying to put you off, but I think 10-12l batches in a <20l pot on a kitchen hob are more realistic than a 30-50l pot required for full 5-gallon batches (unless you boil a condensed wort then dilute, so-called "maxi BIAB").

I ended up getting a Robobrew all-in-one system after a while which is great, but a cheaper starting point if you definitely want to do full 5-gallon batches from the outset would be a boiler like https://brewkegtap.co.uk/collections/brewing-equipment/products/digiboil-35l-turbo-boiler - that is basically a Robobrew without the malt pipe (stainless version of a BIAB bag) or pump (useful for recirculation but not essential, you can do it manually with a jug and large collander to rest the bag in).

That said you started off saying you wanted to do 5 *litre* batches, so maybe just get an induction capable pot and give that (or 10-12l batches a go), it's the exact same process and less to lose if you make an error and a batch goes wrong - I still use my stock pot with the Robobrew to heat sparge water (still on the kitchen hob).

Click to expand...

Chris17 said:

Steam isn't something I've thought about actually. I will just have to hope that my extractor hood is up for it, along with opening windows and doors!!

Click to expand...

kelper said:

I got my 17L stockpot for £22 here https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CS3X498

And a wee trivet to keep the bag off the bottom https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07D5FNLP5 for £8

I hope you're not married.

Click to expand...

kelper said:

yes - boil in a bag - am I wrong?

Click to expand...

kelper said:

I've not done a BIAB yet.

Click to expand...

Rodcx500z said:

Hi Kelper, I heat water to mash temp insert the bag mash for 60 mins then a 10 minute dunk add to kettle then boil for 60 mins cool then add to fv and pitch yeast

Click to expand...