Blichmann 7.5-gal Boilermaker

[packerduf]

Blichmann has added another product to their lineup; the 7.5-gal Boilermaker Brew Pot.

My AG brews have been restricted to BIABs, thus far. I have gone back and forth a hundred times on what direction I should go for a new mash tun. A 10-gal cooler is probably larger than I need, yet a 5-gal cooler might be too small in some circumstances. Most homebrew supply shops don't sell anything in between as a kit, so I have been hesitant to pull the trigger in regards to a mash tun - for these reasons and some others.

This 7.5-gal Boilermaker, equipped with optional SS false bottom, just might be the perfect solution for me. It's a little pricey, but I think the size would be perfect. It's approximately 14.5" tall (without lid), so it's short enough to clear the microwave mounted over my electric stove. On cold windy days, I could conduct the mash indoors using electricity, and reserve the use of propane outdoors for the boil only. I like the fact that it's SS for easy cleaning, sanitation, and longevity. The versatility of removing the false bottom and using it as a boil kettle for small batches is also appealing.

For about $35 more, I could purchase the 10-gal Boilermaker, but then I would be restricted to outdoor use only. The 7.5-gal version really seems to be the perfect solution for me, all things considered. Perhaps someone else out there in Beerland might benefit as well.

[Gymrat]

I can only say that after doing all grain the last couple of years I wouldn't want anything smaller than a 10 gallon mash tun. A bigger beer with around 15 pounds of grain and 1.5 qts of water per pound adds up to a lot of space pretty quickly. I don't brew beers that big often but it is nice to have the room when I do. As for cleaning it just isn't that difficult with a mash tun. I just rinse it out and call it good. Everything that comes out of my mash tun will be boiled for an hour or more so sanitation is not a big deal at that stage of the game. I think the big bucks would be better spent on a great brew pot or a SS Conical.

[haerbob3]

gotta agree 10 gallon is the min for a 5 gallon batch. Myself I use a 15 gallon kettle with a false bottom

[gwcr]

I did full volume boils for 5 gallon batches in a 7.5 gallon kettle for about a year. I lose about 1.5 gallons during the boil, and about another 1/4-1/2 gallon or so to the trub. I like to have 5.5 gallons in the fermenter, so I was only about 1/2 inch from the top of the BK at the start of the boil. It worked, but was extremely nerve racking as I would fight the boilovers for about the first 30 minutes. Since I moved to a 10 gallon BK, I am much more relaxed. 7.5 gallon pot has become my HLT. Highly recommend considering the 10 gallon for the BK. (and any 10G SS pot will do. I don't typically like to spend extra $$ for marketing value...)

[haerbob3]

I use something like this one single weld mine are a double weld
Have 2 of them one is the mash tun the other the BK. I have a 10 gallon kettle that is my heat exchanger/HLT AIH is a good company to deal with

[packerduf]

Thanks for the input, guys. I really appreciate the Borg's advice. Just to be clear, the 7.5-gal Boilermaker would primarily be used as a mash tun. I would then transfer the wort to my 44-quart Bayou Classic brew kettle for the boil, so boil-overs are of no concern. I have been brewing 6-gallon batches as of late (via BIAB), but I have been contemplating scaling down to smaller batches for some time now. My starting gravities typically range between 1.045 - 1.055. According to my calculations, a 7.5-gallon mash tun would suffice 99.9% of the time, for me. Any big beers, I would certainly scale back to 3 gallons (or so) anyway.

Please check my math for required mash tun size, assuming a 6-gallon batch with a starting gravity of 1.060:

(60 X 6) / 17 = 21.176 quarts (or 5.29 gallons)

The above example shows a 5-gal mash tun to be insufficient in size, a 10-gal mash tun to be overkill, yet the 7.5-gal mash tun to be ideal (a little extra room to dough in).

Keep your thoughts coming. I need all the help I can get.

[Gymrat]

5.29 gallons of water plus 10lbs of grain would be pushing that 7.5 gallon mash tun to the limit.

[haerbob3]

I would not go smaller than a 10 gallon, the extra head space doesn't hurt. The Home Depot & Lowes a 10 gallon cooler runs about $40 Hell the SS false bottom, valve and fittings cost more than the cooler!!

Packerduf, how are you planing on maintaining your mash temps?

[packerduf]

5.29 gallons of water plus 10lbs of grain would be pushing that 7.5 gallon mash tun to the limit.

The formula I used determines the minimum size of the mash tun, not water volume. At least that's my understanding. I may need to double check that.

I would not go smaller than a 10 gallon, the extra head space doesn't hurt. The Home Depot & Lowes a 10 gallon cooler runs about $40 Hell the SS false bottom, valve and fittings cost more than the cooler!!
Packerduf, how are you planing on maintaining your mash temps?

To maintain mash temps, I have been wrapping a wool blanket around my 44-quart kettle (BIABs). So far, I've never lost more than one degree over the hour-long mash. My plan for the Blichmann would include the fabrication of an insulation jacket, secured with velcro straps.

[haerbob3]

I use a pump and recirculate the wort as I mash. That way I keep a constant temp. By using a kettle for mashing you open up a lot of options for temp control.

[packerduf]

I use a pump and recirculate the wort as I mash. That way I keep a constant temp. By using a kettle for mashing you open up a lot of options for temp control.

I have given some thought to converting my Bayou Classic kettle into an electric kettle with integrated pump. I spent a few days scoping out brewhardware.com. The cost would be reasonable since I already own the kettle. I would love to see some pictures of your set-up, if you would be so inclined.

[haerbob3]

Mine is a stove top rig. Works very well. Downside is you have to baby sit it. I do 10 gallon batches occasionally. Even managed a couple of 15 gallon partial boil batches. I added a second pump so I may fly sparge. I was going to build a brewery in the basement. Unfortunately my health issues have that on hold. You should message Russki he built a nice recirculation BIAB type system.

[packerduf]

Nice setup you have there, Haerbob! A few weeks ago, I was eyeballing this system. But, the controller alone is $315.

http://www.electricbiab.com/Buy_Now_.php

[haerbob3]

That looks cool. MoreBeer has some nice controllers too. The one I want the kits is $2000 alot of coll factor!! Thanks it works very well. With my wife and I both being chefs we made sure our stove top has high out put burners. On the right side the front is 50,000 the rear 35,000. I also have a Blichmann burner with leg extensions.