Hows this for a Brew Kettle?

K-Bizzle · 02-27-2009, 05:55 PM

I can get in a decent amount cheaper because my room mate works at a hardware store that carries them.

Anyway.
How would this work for a brew kettle? Good? Bad?

Currently I'm using a 5 gallon pot on my stove, but with 7.5 gallons I should be able to move off the stove and be able to boil my full volume rather than watering down after.

What do you guys think?
Is this something thats frequently done?

hammacks · 02-27-2009, 05:57 PM

I use that and it works fine. You are going to need some foam control drops.

Also, if you experience a lot of evaporative loss when boiling, you will be pushing it with your preboil volume. In Illinois, probably not an issue.

K-Bizzle · 02-27-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammacks

I use that and it works fine. You are going to need some foam control drops.

Also, if you experience a lot of evaporative loss when boiling, you will be pushing it with your preboil volume. In Illinois, probably not an issue.

Foam control drops?
As in fermcap?

Why do I need them if I get this?

rsmith179 · 02-27-2009, 06:19 PM

You don't "need" the Fermcap drops, but it may help in case of boilovers. In general, I just keep a hand held spray bottle next to my kettle. If it looks like it may boilover or if I'm getting too much foam on top, I just spray a little cold water on top and the foam disappears. There's always more than one way to do the same thing, but I'm always down for the cheaper way!

K-Bizzle · 02-27-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsmith179

You don't "need" the Fermcap drops, but it may help in case of boilovers. In general, I just keep a hand held spray bottle next to my kettle. If it looks like it may boilover or if I'm getting too much foam on top, I just spray a little cold water on top and the foam disappears. There's always more than one way to do the same thing, but I'm always down for the cheaper way!

ha cool.

Why is something like this more prone to a boil over than my kettle on the stove?

RC0032 · 02-27-2009, 06:32 PM

How cheap? Im in IL and would love a hookup

K-Bizzle · 02-27-2009, 06:33 PM

I was planning on heading out to the brew store tomorrow for some stuff.
I've got 2 recipes to do tomorrow so I think I'm gonna go ahead and have my room mate bring this home for me today.

Then tomorrow maybe I'll pick up some of those Fermcaps.
Irish Moss and a long stirrer are definitely on the shopping list though.

K-Bizzle · 02-27-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RC0032

How cheap? Im in IL and would love a hookup

I think around $50, but I'll have to double check.

kaptain_karma · 02-27-2009, 06:37 PM

If you're going to do a vigorous full-volume boil and end with five gallons, you're going to have six to six and a half gallons pre-boil. That's not a lot of head space, especially with a fatty propane burner under the kettle.

I have a ten gallon pot and usually start with about 7.5 gal to end with 5.5 in my primary fermenter. I always come close to boiling over.

That pot will work, you just need to keep an eye on it.

K-Bizzle · 02-27-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaptain_karma

If you're going to do a vigorous full-volume boil and end with five gallons, you're going to have six to six and a half gallons pre-boil. That's not a lot of head space, especially with a fatty propane burner under the kettle.

I have a ten gallon pot and usually start with about 7.5 gal to end with 5.5 in my primary fermenter. I always come close to boiling over.

That pot will work, you just need to keep an eye on it.

Ok cool thanks.

I'll get some of those tabs for sure then, as well as a sprayer like previously mentioned.