9 or 10 gallon brew kettle

**chromados** · 10-13-2009, 12:32 AM

Hello,

I am looking to make the step from partial mash to AG and am almost there, the last thing that i need is a brew pot. I am looking to spend $100-150 (i know its not a lot but i am a poor college student). I am going to be doing 5 gallon batches and much prefer SS over aluminum. Also, it would be great if it had a ball valve installed to save my back some strain. I remember seeing one with a valve installed for around 100 buck somewhere but cannot remember anymore.

What are your thoughts and suggestions?

Thanks for any help.

stevea1210 · 10-13-2009, 12:38 AM

I would suggest 15 gallons. That way you have more than enough room for any size boil of a 5 gal, and you can also do 10 gal batches if the need ever arises. The price difference between a 10 and 15 shouldn't be much.

I know you said you wanted SS, but for comparison sake, I got a 15 gal aluminum kettle for $70 from a restaurant supply store. If money is an issue, there is nothing at all wrong with aluminum.

Schnitzengiggle · 10-13-2009, 12:41 AM

Personally I would drop an extra hundred and go with a 15 gallon pot, this way you can upgrade to 10 gallon batches when you are ready, and trust me you will want to at some point.

However, if you want to have to buy more than one brew pot I think this place has quality pots and free shipping.

http://morebeer.com/view_product/8419/102313/Heavy_Duty_Brew_Kettle_-_With_Ball_Valve_32_Quart_8_Gallon

Like I said though, I would drop the coin on this one:

http://morebeer.com/view_product/8423/102313/Heavy_Duty_Brew_Kettle_-_With_Ball_Valve_60_Quart_15_Gallon

Buy smart, buy once, save yourself some money in the long run, plus you wouldn't even have to consider keeping an eye out for a boil over with a 5 gallon batch in a 15 gallon pot!

I do have the 15 gallon pot listed here, and I am extremely satisfied.

**Donner** · 10-13-2009, 12:43 AM

i purchased a 10 gallon megapot with a hole drilled for a weldless fitting. It rocks. I've never had any leaks and the pot itself is fantastic. Reasonably priced, too. I have started to push the upper limits of the amount of wort i can boil, but i haven't regretted the purchase once. All told will probably run right around your budget, but shopping around might help.

**Brew-boy** · 10-13-2009, 02:06 AM

Save you money if you only plan to do 5 gallons then the 9-10 is just fine. I actually bought a used SS 9.5 gallon on E-bay for $55 dollars and I have several hundred gallons through it. I do not ever see my self brewing 10 gallons as I get bored by the time the keg is empty and I want to brew something different.