I was wondering if anyone had any comments on the Chefmate 20 QT stainless steel stock pot for $50 from Target. It looks decent and it's relatively cheap. I'm going through the same thing as others - deciding which size and which metal.
I have a kit but not the kettle yet. I just got my kit last weekend and now need to get a kettle and maybe an immersion cooler. I'm planning on partial boils at first but may go into extract full boils. No AG in the immediate future (months +, I want a few batches under my belt first).
So with that said...do I go ahead and get a 20 qt and do a few batches and then go with a 30 Qt?
Then comes the question of SS vs Aluminum.
If I get a SS 20 qt...I'll probably spend $50 or so (although I can get a good quality one - NSF listed, heavy duty, 1mm thick on from a local restaurant store for $62)...if I get an Alum pot - I'll probably spend around $40-45 with a lid from that local restuarant store but they are all heavy duty as well - 4mm thick and NSF listed as well.
I already have a turkey fryer pot - 30 qt alum and a burner...loaned from my father. But if I go SS - then we're talking close to $100 for a decent pot. Remember I'm just starting...I'll be doing extract brews for a while and not getting into partials for a while...and AG are way out. I know that some folks would say - buy what you can afford...well I can afford the larger SS (32+ qt) BUT I also don't need to spend the $ and then not use any of it or turn around and sell it a few months out because I didn't stay with it. I've thought about this so much I've paralyzed myself in deciding. I know some folks use partial boils and they are happy...some full boils and say it's better (refering to extract brews here only).
Can anyone help enlighten me? Thank you.
I have a kit but not the kettle yet. I just got my kit last weekend and now need to get a kettle and maybe an immersion cooler. I'm planning on partial boils at first but may go into extract full boils. No AG in the immediate future (months +, I want a few batches under my belt first).
So with that said...do I go ahead and get a 20 qt and do a few batches and then go with a 30 Qt?
Then comes the question of SS vs Aluminum.
If I get a SS 20 qt...I'll probably spend $50 or so (although I can get a good quality one - NSF listed, heavy duty, 1mm thick on from a local restaurant store for $62)...if I get an Alum pot - I'll probably spend around $40-45 with a lid from that local restuarant store but they are all heavy duty as well - 4mm thick and NSF listed as well.
I already have a turkey fryer pot - 30 qt alum and a burner...loaned from my father. But if I go SS - then we're talking close to $100 for a decent pot. Remember I'm just starting...I'll be doing extract brews for a while and not getting into partials for a while...and AG are way out. I know that some folks would say - buy what you can afford...well I can afford the larger SS (32+ qt) BUT I also don't need to spend the $ and then not use any of it or turn around and sell it a few months out because I didn't stay with it. I've thought about this so much I've paralyzed myself in deciding. I know some folks use partial boils and they are happy...some full boils and say it's better (refering to extract brews here only).
Can anyone help enlighten me? Thank you.