Making my own Boil Kettle: Formula for pre-boil vs post boil

[skibikejunkie]

The goal is somewhere between 10-15% boil-off, but just add 25-30% onto your post boil to account for boil overs and piece of mind. That'll get you close if you need to guess before hand and it's better to have more than you need.

That's some solid advice. Every BK I've had I've always wished there were a couple extra inches... but then again, I'd probably just increase the batch size. Wait... not probably, I know I would. The current one's perfect for 10 gallons. All my recipes are written for 13.8

^^^This.

Calculate how big you think you need it and then increase that by 10%.

[brewjedi]

Perfect! Thank for all the input everyone. It looks like with boil-off, sheet size and cost I will end up with 22.25 gallon post boil batch. 29 gallon total capacity BK, 26.75 gallons with 2" head space @ 18.5 " Dia. X 25" high. Mash tun will be 26.75 gallon total capacity, 25.6 gal with 1" head space @ 18.5" X 23". Both with lids from a single 4' X 8' 18 gauge sheet of 304 stainless. Local steel supply quoted $205 dollars for the sheet . How does that sound

[Bokonon]

I've always wished there were a couple extra inches...

A couple extra inches would make everyone happy.

[spiderwrangler]

I've always wished there were a couple extra inches...

A couple extra inches would make everyone happy.

Like that 'full' feeling, do you?

[Bokonon]

I've always wished there were a couple extra inches...

A couple extra inches would make everyone happy.

Like that 'full' feeling, do you?

Whatever it takes to fill up that 3rd keg

[Ozwald]

You guys never let me down

[spiderwrangler]

Whatever it takes to fill up that 3rd keg

Well played sir. Well played.

[brewjedi]

OK...... so back on topic. Found 120 qt cooler at walmart for $55 plus tax. Might redo design for now and work on conical fermenter. But still, 29 gallon BK, and 27.5 gallon mash tun, both stainless for about $260 in materials with fittings. If you've got the time, you've got the beer...