10 gallon pot, any suggestions?

I have an extra $200.00 with a possible $200.00 more if I split the purchase with the guy that I brew with and I/we want to get a 10 gallon pot with at least a thermometer and valve. I realize that the Blichmann boiler maker series fits this scenario but if I could save some cash and get something comparable I may be able to find a few more items on the wish list. Are these pots really worth the high end price or is the name part of the cost?

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You could buy an aluminum pot and add the hardware you want to it. I have a 10 gal alum one. i bought one of these http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=46&product_id=178 and got the rest from home depot. with 200 you could get a 15 gal and everything you needed. Do a search and see if there are any restaurant supply stores in your area. one that come to mind is restaurant depot

Don't really want to get into the whole SS vs. aluminum debate but I'm kind of partial to stainless.

Nice pots for the money here...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-40-QT-Q.../190803582236?pt=Cookware&hash=item2c6cc79d1c

You would need to add features you want like a valve and thermo, but that isn't that pricey. Blichman pots are nice, but man what a price...ouch!

Bobby M can get you nice quality valves, thermos, ect. at great prices to outfit a bare pot. If you have the money and are looking for something you only have to remove from the box, get a Blichmann.

wilserbrewer said:

You would need to add features you want like a valve and thermo, but that isn't that pricey. Blichman pots are nice, but man what a price...ouch!

Click to expand...

I would be capable of drilling and installing weld-less fittings, welding stainless is another story. I guess a greater concern to me is the quality of the pot itself. Wall thickness, base construction (single layer vs. multi layer).

http://www.homebrewing.org/2-Weld-15-gallon-SS-Brew-Pot_p_2756.html

I've got a single weld with one of their brass fittings. It's worked great so far. Have 4 under my belt with it.

http://www.bayouclassicdepot.com/1140-bayou-classic-10-gallon-stainless-pot-basket.htm

Found this. Anybody have any experience with these?

On a side note, am planning to do BIAB. The basket is a nice feature but not necessary.

My take is that if you eventually see yourself adding a sight glass, thermo, dip-tube, ball valve, etc, then the Boilermaker is without question worth the price. You can start with a cheaper quality kettle up front, but you'll find that you won't be that far off the price of the Boilermaker in the end (after adding accessories). You don't need a clad bottom for brewing.

If you don't need all or most of those features, then consider the Concord pots on eBay. I have one and for the price they are a great bargain. However, I also own Boilermakers and the quality difference between the Concord and Blichmann is clear, you definitely get what you pay for.

The Bayou pots look really nice to me as well, what I have heard though is that they are thinner then most other kettles out there.

wilserbrewer said:

Nice pots for the money here...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-40-QT-Q.../190803582236?pt=Cookware&hash=item2c6cc79d1c

You would need to add features you want like a valve and thermo, but that isn't that pricey. Blichman pots are nice, but man what a price...ouch!

Bobby M can get you nice quality valves, thermos, ect. at great prices to outfit a bare pot. If you have the money and are looking for something you only have to remove from the box, get a Blichmann.

Click to expand...

I just bought this 80 qt pot and it seems to be well built. I wouldn't hesitate buying another. If you don't want to convert it yourself just buy it from Spike Brewing. He's a vendor here.

http://www.spikebrewing.com

- Destin

You dont need a basket to biab. You just need to handle your hot sack like a man.
(Grain sack that is)

I got the 20 gal polarware pot for $200 shipped from beerandwinebrewing.com. There 10 gal ones are around $140 and I think they give the free shipping over $150 so you could buy a thermometer from them and be good. I have weldless fittings on mine and they are great.

I love my Boilermaker, the one thing that is unique about it is the fantastic integrated sight glass / guard assembly. Easy to clean, well protected, just a great design.

Other than that, I'd buy an e-bay or online pot and save the money.

Here is mine. $80 from amazon plus about $100 worth of bling from bobby m.

10.5 gal. Is thinner than some pots but I'm happy with it. When I upgrade to multi pot brewing system I imagine it will be my HLT and I'll get a 15 gal boil kettle.

Really do get a lot of se out of my sight glass, thermometer and valve, happy to have those and a 20 gague pot than to not have them but have a heavier pot.those

60 qt SS pot with lid for $75.00. Put three of these together for a friend. Very high quality...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200885164713

Pulled the trigger on the Bayou Classic 1140 this afternoon at $150.00 shipped. Same plan as mentioned above, will use it as a HLT when I upgrade or for some Low Country Boil for the neighbors.

I've built three keggles with fittings from bargainfittings.com

any pictures Marshall?

I paid 60 for the keg and prob 120 for the fittings.

Cool thanks for the picture.....