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Nike_Eayrs · 07-16-2012, 09:14 PM

I'm taking the next step to all grain and full boil brewing. Home Depot has a couple different turkey fryer kits. One has a 30qt aluminum kettle and the other has a 30qt stainless steel kettle. The stainless one is roughly twice the cost. I've read a lot of conflicting information on this subject, stating aluminum is okay v.s. aluminum is aweful. Anybody with aluminum that hates/loves it? Thanks for the help. Cheers!

buzzkill · 07-16-2012, 09:23 PM

id go for a bigger pot. those are kinda small. and alum or ss dont matter

runbad · 07-16-2012, 09:27 PM

Aluminum pots seem fine by me. I got a heavy duty 60qt from the kitchen store. It's extremely effective at conducting heat.

Electrolysis might be a concern if you store dissimilar metals in contact for long periods. Found that out by leaving my spoon in my small stainless pot.

Sorry started early today

carltjones · 07-16-2012, 09:30 PM

Aluminum hasn't caused any off-flavors for me. 30 qt size will cause more boilovers or smaller batches. I now use a 1/2 barrel keg for boiling and life is easier.

Gartywood · 07-16-2012, 09:32 PM

Aluminum pots are fine if you ensure that they have an oxidation layer is my understanding. I used to brew with an aluminum turkey fryer pot. it got pitted and I couldn't beleive that it was good for making beer. I upgraded to a stainless pot about 8 years ago and it is still in great shape. My opinion based on experience is that stainless will last longer. Also if you want to add a valve (which makes for a way easier time of filling your fermenters) I wouldn't personally ever drill an aluminum pot and install a stainless of brass valve due to the dissimiliar metal interaction.

Go Stainless for the long haul or aluminum to get started cheap. If i were starting out again I would probably go with the 30 qt aluminum turkey got and upgrade to a 10 - 15 gallon stainless down the line. (which is what I did to start but I got the aluminum pot for free.)

**SpikeBrewing** · 07-16-2012, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gartywood

Aluminum pots are fine if you ensure that they have an oxidation layer is my understanding. I used to brew with an aluminum turkey fryer pot. it got pitted and I couldn't beleive that it was good for making beer. I upgraded to a stainless pot about 8 years ago and it is still in great shape. My opinion based on experience is that stainless will last longer. Also if you want to add a valve (which makes for a way easier time of filling your fermenters) I wouldn't personally ever drill an aluminum pot and install a stainless of brass valve due to the dissimiliar metal interaction.

Go Stainless for the long haul or aluminum to get started cheap. If i were starting out again I would probably go with the 30 qt aluminum turkey got and upgrade to a 10 - 15 gallon stainless down the line. (which is what I did to start but I got the aluminum pot for free.)

This is great advice

KingKlong · 07-16-2012, 11:36 PM

i bought the aluminum set up. boil overs were a problem until i upgraded my pot.

**wilserbrewer** · 07-17-2012, 03:14 AM

Aluminum pots will not be as pretty or shiny...but the beer will taste the same, depends on the thickness of your wallet and personal preference. I would not spend double on a stainless TF vs. an aluminum one.

"Go stainless for the long haul" ????

That implies that an aluminum pot will wear out quickly....what rubbish!

Gartywood · 07-17-2012, 03:29 AM

I had an aluminum pot and it got pitted and crappy. Maybe it was due to the care we gave it. I don't know I was 22 and brewing half assed (or was it half-cocked) at the time. The stainless pot that replaced the pitted one when I was 23 is still with me 8 years later and looks practically brand new.

You will note that I recommended getting the aluminum pot turkey fryer because he would probably want a 10-15 gallon pot and the stainless pot would end up retired after spending extra.

Edit: replacement pot was stainless

**wilserbrewer** · 07-17-2012, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gartywood

I had an aluminum pot and it got pitted and crappy. Maybe it was due to the care we gave it. I don't know I was 22 and brewing half assed (or was it half-cocked) at the time. The pot that replaced the pitted one when I was 23 is still with me 8 years later and looks practically brand new.

You will note that I recommended getting the aluminum pot turkey fryer because he would probably want a 10-15 gallon pot and the stainless pot would end up retired after spending extra.

Good points...agreed, cheers