I just put a system together with this pot as my mash tun...same pot for all 3 vessels of a HERMS actually. I am using a heavy duty 12" slotted/domed false bottom with silicone gasket on the edge. It sits in the middle with about 3" space to the side walls it does not hug the sides. The SS Brewtech false bottom for 20 gal pots seems to be the same diameter as this pot but I verified that it will fit. Theoretically a 12" false bottom in a 18" diameter pot will be fine but we shall see soon enough (first brew is tomorrow). Cheers

Depends on your 🔺t and your T. How much change in temp and in what time? I use the big 120k btu burner and it takes 10 min to get from 168 to boil. During the winter it takes about an hour to get from 60 to 155 in my HLT

Almost any propane burner (think turkey fryer) will work for batches up to 1/2 bbl. They’re typically rated for 50 000-60 000 BTU/hr.

I use a more beer unit and it doesn't take very long to heat 20 gallons. 15 minutes. Don't fill the pot up completely it might boil over before you can turn the heat down.

you might need a 60 000 btu burner for high temps

approx. 30 000 btu propane burner. this also depends on how hot you want to heat your material they make stand alone burners that you can set a 25 gal. kettle directly on