Q2XL

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I am thinking of buying a new brew pot and would like some ideas as to what works for you.

I have been doing all extract brewing, but would like to progress to partial-mash for my next brew and POSSIBLY go on to all-grain in the future(although that would be in the far future).

Currently I have a 19qt. economy stainless pot which is a bit on the cheap side. I want to know what size would be an all around good size to buy.

I have seen some pots with ball valves and thermometers built in. Are they worth the extra money? If the ball valves are worth it, what is better a 2 piece or 3 piece and what size 1/4,3/8 or 1/2"?

Thanks guys for the input. Any help is appreciated.

Edit: I will be brewing inside on an electric stove.

zanemoseley

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I love my 5.5 gallon pot from WallyWorld, its about $45 and its really good quality, kinda rare for anything bought from there lol. I can do what I would consider a full boil with the help of fermcaps as shown here http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/fermcaps-rock-pic-108854/ This would be a good setup if you have a fairly powerful electric or gas stove. If you want to brew outside on propane I'd probably get a 10 gallon or larger pot, possibly look at making a keggle. For me I like brewing in the kitchen, it allows me to interact with the family while still brewing and keeping inside with conditioned air.

Champurrado

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I agree with getting a 10 gallon brewpot. When I started I was doing extract batches and didn't need the room. Now that I'm brewing All Grain, I would welcome a 10 gallon pot.

RedIrocZ-28

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Once you start doing PM's you'll soon want to start doing AG, at least this was the case for me. I actually only did 1 PM brew (my favorite and best beer so far) and decided to go AG because I finally was made aware of what AG ingredients cost. Yesterday, for instants, I made BierMuncher's Centennial Blonde and it cost me a whopping $17 or so. PM would have been in the mid to upper $20's. The difference in equipment that you need to get in on the ground floor of AG and PM is the simple addition of 1 large pot. You could then use your 19qt pot as your mash tun and then use a 30qt pot for your boil kettel using the BIAB method. BIAB is using a Muslin bag to contain the grains in your Mash Tun (your 19qt pot), doing your 60 min mash, draining the grains using the bag as a strainer, dunking the bag in the other pot aka your sparge water and rinsing the remaining sugars from the grains. Now you just mix the first wort and second wort together and proceed with your boil.

However, I would recommend at least 1 PM brew to familiarize yourself with the mash process and the rinse/sparge process. Then move on to your AG batches once you get the general idea.

samc

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I bought a 5 gallon SS pot. I then bought an 8 gallon SS pot. I just bought a 15 gallon SS pot. When will it stop? I keep buying stuff that is too small - it is an addiction and you will be needing a bigger pot sooner than you think. Any time UPS shows up at the door my wife thinks it is another SS pot, she ain't half wrong! The 5 gallon pot is now the chicken under brick cooker.

Q2XL

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Thanks for the replies.

Any thoughts on the ball valves?

McKBrew

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While not absolutely necessary, a ball valve will make your life a lot easier.

Listen to the suggestions here and go with a 10G minimum for your pot size, esp. if planning on going AG in the future.

Aluminum brew pots can be had in the $40-60 range in that size, and a ball valve (weldless) is around $30. I'd suggest checking out restaurant supply stores in your area or large sporting goods (hunting/fishing) stores. Or you can order online.

DD2000GT

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Best deal I have found so far. I went with the 40 quart size and it was a whopping $22.40 - the 60 quarts are $30.60 - with a lid:

Stockpot - Royal Palm Restaurant & Event Supply

Dan

obezyana1

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That's the same one I bought. I couldn't believe the price and I didn't want to spend over $100 on a SS Pot that size. Don't fear the aluminum! It's not as pretty, but it works great, and I can use the other money for more ingredients.

(disclaimer: SS Pots are also awesome and my 5 gallon pot is SS. That is all. No flaming please.)

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GoNova

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AHB has some great deals on "economy" stainless pots. I am considering ordering a couple to move to DeathBrewers "stovetop all gain method". Anyone have one of these?? Like it or no?

Austin Homebrew Supply