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**jflongo** · 01-26-2013, 06:08 PM

I was shocked today, pulled out my old turkey frying stuff, since I never do that anymore. Sprayed out the 30 quart aluminum pot I used to use, filled it 2/3 full with hot water, threw it on the singe burner I used to use, and was shocked, i had about 20 quarts of water boiling in 15 minutes.

**Yellowirenut** · 02-18-2013, 11:03 PM

For those who live in Indiana and Michigan http://www.atlasrestaurantsupply.com/ is a good place to go. I buy all my regular cooking pot n pans from them. good prices for an item designed for the daily abuse of a restaurant.
The different styles and sizes of pots/kettles you can order on site is immense.

Find out if you have a local restaurant supply store in your area and take a look.
they do not advertise and usually hidden away in a cheep rent building. they are selling a product not an image.

Edit - i just realized wile looking at there vender list that perlick is one of them.

BrewingRob · 03-03-2013, 07:46 AM

Head's up to anyone using an Aluminum pot:

So, I got an amazing deal -- a turkey fryer at a garage sale for $10. Didn't they know what this can be used for?!

I read about baking the pot. Check. I read about the stainless/aluminum pros and cons. Check. I did not catch the "Don't use PBW" clause. The pot is now pitted and nasty.

So, warning to newbies out there: When the FAQ says do not use caustic cleaners, it's serious. NO PBW.

For what it's worth, I'm going to keep using it. The only downside is that my 4.5 gallon stainless pot is wide enough to get to a rolling boil on my gas kitchen stove. The turkey fryer is too tall. It needs a better burner. So, it's more of a fair-weather friend.

**wilserbrewer** · 03-03-2013, 11:10 AM

No big deal, I would scour the heck out of it, with a scrub pad or perhaps with medium then fine sandpaper. Then oxidize it again. Aluminum is soft and can be refinished ala ghetto style.

jbakajust1 · 03-08-2013, 10:35 PM

I have a related question, 2 actually. If I have used oxy based cleaners on aluminum and have removed some of the oxide, is there a way to restore it? Also, if I inherit an Aluminum pot that has been used, is there a way to ensure that it has a proper oxide barrier in place? I bought aluminum cam locks and have used oxyclean on them about 4 - 5 times now. I also may be getting a couple used (party supply store rentals) 15 gallon pots.

Thanks.

Heavyfoot · 03-14-2013, 03:51 PM

Picked up a new 48L aluminum pot yesterday.

I boiled about 26L in it to build up the oxide layer.

As seen in the picture, it's quite dark up to where the water line was.

As long as I'm never boiling more than around 23L of wort, should I be worried about the upper half of the pot not having the oxidation layer?

**wilserbrewer** · 03-15-2013, 12:03 AM

No, I would say you are fine regardless of your intended boil volume, aluminum oxidizes very easily and a preboil is merely a precaution...RDWHAHB cheers

Majic · 03-17-2013, 02:43 PM

is there any evidence of metal interaction that would prevent me from using an aluminum pot with a stainless bulkhead ?

thanks- Lou

**SpikeBrewing** · 03-17-2013, 08:27 PM

You're on the edge for recommended galvanic corrosion limits. Stainless is a .5V and aluminum is between .75-.95V. For normal environments they recommend less than a .25V difference. Wouldn't be the worst idea to disassemble after uses.

Source: http://www.engineersedge.com/galvanic_capatability.htm

**wilserbrewer** · 03-18-2013, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Majic

is there any evidence of metal interaction that would prevent me from using an aluminum pot with a stainless bulkhead ?

thanks- Lou

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottland

I've been using the same 32QT aluminum pot for years. Started out life as my boil kettle, then I put a 4,500w element in it, and it became my electric boil kettle. These days it's my electric HLT. It's still trucking along. Stainless fittings, and no signs of corrosion yet.

The entire pot acts as a sacrificial anode if you use it with an electric element. In theory, the entire pot will eventually wear out. It could be decades before that happens, and if it ever does, it was only a $22 pot.

If you are using propane, my setup is a worst-case scenario by comparison, and I've had zero issues. Carry on =)

You are likely very fine and this is not a problem at all for your intended infrequent use as a homebrewer. This type of corrosion is more pertinent to structural applications, plumbing of pressure vessels, or marine environments. I would be more concerned of a lightning strike during a brew session than the stainless fitting on your aluminum pot...cheers!

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/aluminum-pot-stainless-fittings-372245/

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Will_stainless_steel_react_when_in_cotact_with_alu minum