if you had this what would you do with it?

it's an old 60 gallon steam cooker that was used in a penitentiary. it's stainless and the crank in the right tilts the kettle up and down. think this would make a good kettle for big batches?

another pic

is this thing steam powered? if yes you need a boiler for excellent boiling kettle

I'm thinking fermenter! What size batches so you normally do?

it was steam powered. there's an outside shell from the center weld down. steam would be pumped in between the two layers of stainless to cook the food in the vat. I would remove the exterior shell so that I could put a burner under it and be more efficient

I'm just getting started. I've yet to do my first batch however I can get this for next to nothing. I envision finding a go to recipe and brewing large batches............ say twenty gallon batches and fermenting in two 15.5 kegs...........I can get this dude for less than I can get 2 15.5 kegs

before you take it apart remember that steam is about 4x more efficient in delivering heat/energy than direct fire, old indians even say that you can't boil more than 3 bbl when using direct fire

Polboy said:

before you take it apart remember that steam is about 4x more efficient in delivering heat/energy than direct fire, old indians even say that you can't boil more than 3 bbl when using direct fire

Click to expand...

unfortunately I do not have the means to utilize steam.................. this monsters gotta be good something though right?

could I put a banjo burner under it and use it as a kettle and a mash tun all in one ( going AG in a bag)? then turn to 2 15.5 kegs as fermenters?

Depending on the price, that looks like a nice start, what is the pot just to the right of in the first pic looks promising

after some research I have found this to be a Groen 60 gallon steam kettle

beaksnbeer said:

Depending on the price, that looks like a nice start, what is the pot just to the right of in the first pic looks promising

Click to expand...

that is an old therapeutic whirlpool. it's more oval shaped though. maybe make a good tun?

picked up this 60 gallon steam kettle and an old 40 gallon therapeutic whirlpool today. pics to come after I clean them up.

the whirlpool actually has a prop in it to circulate the water. also has a thermometer on it so it apparently has a heating element of some sort. goin hoping it will make a good tun

So you paid less than $100 for it? Sell it for scrap and make some money.

I have one that I got out of an old school that was going to be renovated. Use it as my HLT. Works great and was free. Mine is not jacketed though.

looks like the steam kettles used in the galley on Navy ships.

always thought they would be KILLER for a BK

+HopSpunge+ said:

I have one that I got out of an old school that was going to be renovated. Use it as my HLT. Works great and was free. Mine is not jacketed though.

Click to expand...

How big is yours. What size of burner do you use?

It just seems like I'll eat through a lot of propane to get wort to a boil

GrogNerd said:

looks like the steam kettles used in the galley on Navy ships.

always thought they would be KILLER for a BK

Click to expand...

I believe this was pulled out of a penitentiary here in Illinois.

You should see how these things are priced on ebay

I dono pretty big. I just use mine to heat mash and sparge water. Big enough to make both at same time for 10 gallons. I just use regular cheapo propane burner. Never tried to boil with it. I'm sure you could, would just take a bit longer.

JUST_BREW_IT said:

I believe this was pulled out of a penitentiary here in Illinois.

You should see how these things are priced on ebay

Click to expand...

and I always said that being on a ship was like being in prison, except the food isn't as good

+HopSpunge+ said:

I dono pretty big. I just use mine to heat mash and sparge water. Big enough to make both at same time for 10 gallons. I just use regular cheapo propane burner. Never tried to boil with it. I'm sure you could, would just take a bit longer.

Click to expand...

I'm wondering if I couldnt use this for all phases up to fermenting then transfer over to 15.5 gallon kegs to ferment in.

I'll get it all cleaned up and have a trial run at boiling some water. If it takes way to long then I will be back to square 1

I would carefully cut the jacket off the bottom. Wont be pretty, but will probably cut the time in 1/2...

Pump coolant through the steam jacket and ferment 50 or so gallons of lager or pilsner at a time.

I like the kettle. I'm looking for one about that size. Plan to make a copper hood for it and make a pot Still out of it for a craft distillery. Any ideas where I might pick one or two up at.

Thanks and good luck with your project.
Rick