FAQ: Aluminum Pots for Boil Kettles? - Page 2

abracadabra · 12-31-2007, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradsul

I think it appears biased because the question is 'Is an aluminum pot OK for a boiling kettle in homebrewing?' The question itself is about aluminum - stainless is used as the basis of comparison since everyone knows the properties that stainless possesses.

I beg to differ. If everyone knows the properties of stainless then why bother with the post?

From my experience the reference to stainless steel scorching your wort is completely over blown.

I'm not trying to cast aspersions on FlyGuy as I'm sure his motives are purely altruistic, just trying point out what seemed obvious to me.

5 Is Not Enough · 12-31-2007, 05:50 PM

I think the biggest point is the "is it dangerous?" aspect.

My LHBS still swears against using aluminum because 'it will cause off flavors and Alzheimer's". This is coming from a "professional", but I think FlyGuy did a great job w/ pointing out the facts.

**bradsul** · 12-31-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abracadabra

I beg to differ. If everyone knows the properties of stainless then why bother with the post?...

Because the post is about the properties of aluminum with regards to brewing, not stainless.

Kevin Dean · 12-31-2007, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradsul

Because the post is about the properties of aluminum with regards to brewing, not stainless.

I'm an aluminum user and damn proud. However, the thread here is entitled "Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel Pots for Boiling Kettles?" which implies it's about kettles - aluminum and SS respectively.

Quote:

Originally Posted by abracadabra

There's nothing wrong with using aluminum pots but let's keep the debate even handed.

While comparing thickness to thickness, SS is stronger but I don't think that's horribly relevant to the discussion since you can find pots in either SS or Al that, treated with respect, will last a lifetime.

The fact that a group of linebackers can jump on the walls of the thing are as irrelevant to it's suitability for brewing. I think you're being fair, but honestly nobody can be "unbiased" since everyone has different criteria. Stainless steel is easier to keep shiny too, but appearances aren't a factor that plays into my purchasing decisions frequently - that said for ME aluminum has the advantage. One doesn't need to be biased to give a price/point opinion.

/me isn't debating. /me wants to make sure all relevant info gets in the top post.

**bradsul** · 12-31-2007, 06:37 PM

I've updated the wiki article. I didn't add the pros/cons for stainless since it has nothing to do with the question answered on the wiki page (perhaps another companion page 'is stainless safe for brewing?' should be created? They can then cross-link.

**bradsul** · 12-31-2007, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Dean

../me wants to make sure all relevant info gets in the top post.

On that point I wonder if the thread title should change to remove the 'vs' aspect and just answer the question 'is aluminum safe for brewing'.

abracadabra · 12-31-2007, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradsul

Because the post is about the properties of aluminum with regards to brewing, not stainless.

I'm sorry Brad I just don't follow your logic here.

The title of the thread is "Alumimun vs Stainless Steel Pots for Boil Kettles" . While the question posed is somewhat different. The title is what is going to lead people to the thread.

Another Con not mentioned about aluminum is that in order to safely brew, the inside of aluminum pots should not have the dull gray aluminum oxide cleaned or scurbed off once it builds up inorder to reduce the amount of aluminum oxide ingested. Although he does mention it in a round about way.

Or the fact that the aluminum oxide can and does come off when the sides of the pot are hit by say an IC being swirled around in it. Whether or not you want to ingest that alumumin oxide is up to the individual.

If we are going to have a discussion I think we should strive to eliminate conjecture such as Stainless steel might scorch your wort or aluminum is much faster, when that is simply not the case.

Guy said he was willing to amend the post I'm simply pointing out things to make it look more like a true discussion of the facts and less like a commercial for Aluminum.

Kevin Dean · 12-31-2007, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradsul

I wonder if the thread title should change to remove the 'vs' aspect and just answer the question 'is aluminum safe for brewing'.

I've never heard anyone ask "Is this kettle {thick,shiny} enough to brew with" so I actually think that question makes a ton of sense in terms of answering a VERY common question. At the same time, there's a lot of information about kettles in general on this thread.

That said, I don't really care. :P I've reference this thread where I state that I think these kind of threads are borderline useless.

**bradsul** · 12-31-2007, 07:17 PM

The main problem stems from the fact that the thread title doesn't reflect the question that is actually answered in the OP ('Is an aluminum pot OK for a boiling kettle in homebrewing?'). Hence my suggestion that the thread title itself be changed. There is no need for a 'vs' thread as it's accepted that stainless is perfectly fine. The question is whether or not aluminum is.

abracadabra · 12-31-2007, 07:55 PM

Even then the question is:

Q: Is an aluminum pot OK for a boiling kettle in homebrewing? My LHBS only recommens using stainless steel.

Making it an Aluminum vs Stainless Steel question because of the reference to the LHBS recommendation that follows.

And as Guy states if the FAQ is for noobies then I think assuming they are fimilar with the atributes of Stainless Steel is flawed.

12-31-2007, 06:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
bradsul Flyfisherman/brewer Recipes Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,059 bradsul's Gallery	I've updated the wiki article. I didn't add the pros/cons for stainless since it has nothing to do with the question answered on the wiki page (perhaps another companion page 'is stainless safe for brewing?' should be created? They can then cross-link. __________________ Brad Canadian Brewers Unite! On Deck: Brad's Edel Hell, YAPSQ (Yet Another Perfect Stout Quest) Primary: Secondary: Triple Decoction Munich Dunkel Bottled/Kegged: Cascade of Bitterness, Sweet Mild of Mine, Brad's Vienna Lager, It's Not Dark It's Mild (Throwback Mild), Brad's Dry Stout, Hobgoblin, Best Laid Plans Projects: Sylvania Kegerator Conversion, Tower Cooling, Grain Milling Station

12-31-2007, 07:17 PM	#19 (permalink)
bradsul Flyfisherman/brewer Recipes Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,059 bradsul's Gallery	The main problem stems from the fact that the thread title doesn't reflect the question that is actually answered in the OP ('Is an aluminum pot OK for a boiling kettle in homebrewing?'). Hence my suggestion that the thread title itself be changed. There is no need for a 'vs' thread as it's accepted that stainless is perfectly fine. The question is whether or not aluminum is. __________________ Brad Canadian Brewers Unite! On Deck: Brad's Edel Hell, YAPSQ (Yet Another Perfect Stout Quest) Primary: Secondary: Triple Decoction Munich Dunkel Bottled/Kegged: Cascade of Bitterness, Sweet Mild of Mine, Brad's Vienna Lager, It's Not Dark It's Mild (Throwback Mild), Brad's Dry Stout, Hobgoblin, Best Laid Plans Projects: Sylvania Kegerator Conversion, Tower Cooling, Grain Milling Station

12-31-2007, 07:55 PM	#20 (permalink)
abracadabra Senior Member Recipes Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Podump, Georgia Posts: 1,700	Even then the question is: Q: Is an aluminum pot OK for a boiling kettle in homebrewing? My LHBS only recommens using stainless steel. Making it an Aluminum vs Stainless Steel question because of the reference to the LHBS recommendation that follows. And as Guy states if the FAQ is for noobies then I think assuming they are fimilar with the atributes of Stainless Steel is flawed. __________________ Do what you like! Brew what you like! Last edited by abracadabra : 01-02-2008 at 05:14 PM.

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12-31-2007, 05:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
5 Is Not Enough I like big brews Recipes Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Erie, PA Posts: 479	I think the biggest point is the "is it dangerous?" aspect. My LHBS still swears against using aluminum because 'it will cause off flavors and Alzheimer's". This is coming from a "professional", but I think FlyGuy did a great job w/ pointing out the facts.