S/S Pot worth the money?

I am brand new to all-grain brewing (still moderately new to brewing in general) and I bought a 6 Gal Graniteware pot to use as a brew kettle. Since moving to a new place I've noticed that the stove that I have isn't as powerful as I'd like. It can boil a 5-6 Gal capacity of water, but just barely.

Would upgrading to a SS brew pot help with the boiling? I've heard from some that the steel is a better insulator and so would help retain the heat and make boiling easier. I plan to upgrade at some point, but I can't pony up the 100+ dollars right at this second without REALLY hurting.

Thanks guys!

In short, no..........

While some of the better quality SS pots have a heat conducting plate on the bottom, if the stove can't bring the volume to boil in a thinner walled Aluminum pot it won't do it in a SS pot either.

Not to mention, you really want to be able to get a vigorous boil going, rolling, not just barely.

To directly answer the value wquestion, IMO SS pots are well worth the money in the long run but investing in one will not solve your problem

upgrading to a SS is a great idea if you want to do it, but not to improve your boil.


they are simply better pots.


they are also incredibly expensive when compared with other equipment.

I have been looking for a 20-30 quart SS pot. Anyone have any suggestions on thickness? Also anyone know of a place online that is running a good deal right now?

$30 for a 5 gallon pot

http://www.homebrewing.org/Brew-Pots_c_79.html

Thanks for the replies everyone. Sounds like the situation is about what I though....better pot but not for this reason. As far as upgrading the burners, my parents have 3 propane turkey burners (Don't ask why 3...I have no idea) so I should be able to get one soon, but the 2 hr drive for just the burner is a bit on the time expensive side.

Anyway, again thanks a ton for the replies and opinions. Definately helps

Bamsdealer said:

$30 for a 5 gallon pot

http://www.homebrewing.org/Brew-Pots_c_79.html

Click to expand...

Ya, found that earlier, was thinking about pulling the trigger. Problem is, I don't really want to get a flimsy cheap pot. I would rather spend a few extra bucks and get something a little better. I think I will wait until I find one in a store that I can touch.

for all grain you want a 10 gallon (40 qt) stock pot. I have no regrets with the Winware AL stock pot, <$50 shipped on amazon. AL is a lot easier to modify for a ball valve, etc. Lid is not included.

The Bayou Classic 44 qt SS with basket is about $80 shipped which is also a great deal. These were over $100 when I was looking for a kettle.

Both are only helpful if you have a better heat source like a propane burner. You will also need a method to cool 5+ gallons of boiling wort once you switch to full boils.

I have the 9 gallon brew pot from the site I posted above. It has the two welds, one for a thermometer and one for a valve. It's not fancy or polished, but a solid SS pot with a couple welds for well under $100

As mentioned above, you really do want a bigger pot... I'd say at least an 8 gallon pot if you're brewing 5 gallon all grain batches. I regularly fill my 9 gallon pot an inch below the rim and that will boil down to 5.5 gallons in about 90 minutes.