Background - I got Blichmann Brew Easy 20x20 over Christmas and brewed my third batch today. This was the first time doing a 5 gallon batch vs 10 gallons. (I will probably mainly do 10 gal but did an NEIPA and wasn't sure I would consume it fast enough to stay fresh).
Things worked out ok, but volume was "just enough". By the time I got the grain bed covered with enough water the water in the bottom kettle was right on the edge of the temperature probe being covered and I had to watch things a bit closer than normal because occasionally the water dropped below the probe.
An easy solution would probably be add another gallon or two of water but I'd rather not just waste wort. I had a thought that if I could find something like a stainless steel garden gazing ball I could just throw in the bottom kettle to displace volume and then remove it before I boil. A 10" ball would be about 2.25 gallons and about perfect. Most of the garden gazing balls I've seen aren't completely sealed though and since they are pretty thin walled they may float.
Anyone done something like this and have a lot cost option?
Things worked out ok, but volume was "just enough". By the time I got the grain bed covered with enough water the water in the bottom kettle was right on the edge of the temperature probe being covered and I had to watch things a bit closer than normal because occasionally the water dropped below the probe.
An easy solution would probably be add another gallon or two of water but I'd rather not just waste wort. I had a thought that if I could find something like a stainless steel garden gazing ball I could just throw in the bottom kettle to displace volume and then remove it before I boil. A 10" ball would be about 2.25 gallons and about perfect. Most of the garden gazing balls I've seen aren't completely sealed though and since they are pretty thin walled they may float.
Anyone done something like this and have a lot cost option?