Boilers x2

[Nigel1969]

I'm getting all my eqipment set up for all grain. Is it best to have 2 boilers on the go, 1 for the strike/sparge water, and 1 for the boil itself. Or can you just work it all from the same boiler somehow?

[Hogarth]

Yeah, you can work it with one boiler, although you will need a large container (eg a fermenter) to collect the runnings from the mash tun, which you'll then tip back into the boiler at the end of the sparge. Most people use two boilers (properly speaking, a boiler and an HLT.)

[Nigel1969]

Thank's, it was mainly the sparge run out, I was concerned about. I guess I could just use my fermenter or a jug and pour straight into boiler. It's not ideal, but it'll have to do for now.

[Rick_UK]

I used my old 15l stockpot from my extract brewing days as a hlt and it worked fine - it only cost 20 quid or so. I now use my old bucket boiler having upgraded to SS.

[scuppeteer]

(properly speaking, a boiler and an HLT.)

Properly, properly speaking a Copper and an HLT!

2 is easier by miles but until your budget can stretch to it, using the FV to collect the runnings is the best option.

[bigdave]

I used to just use 1. I'd mash & collect the 1st runnings into a bucket then batch sparge. In between batch sparging and collecting 2nd runnings, I'd empty out any left over liquor, fit the hop stopper, pour the 1st runnings in & fire up the heating elements.

Now I have a copper & HLT I still collect the mash into a bucket then transfer to the boiler... Old habits and all that. lol

[sweatysock]

I agree entirely with Bigdave. As I batch sparge I collect the 1st runnings in a 15ltr fermenter, then empty the HLT into the mash tun, then as that is extracting the sugars I transfer the wort back into the boiler and flash her back up. It never quite gets to the boil before the 2nd runnings are added. It is also less to store. I have 60ltr converted PP bucket and can stow most of the brewing gear in it between brews. Happy brewing.