onipar
Well-Known Member
I have two choices for a brew kettle assembly. Both are fairly cheap, but both have pros and cons. Help me decide.
The first is a 9 gallon stainless steel pot with two welded 1/2" female threaded fittings. With the addition of a stainless steel ball valve assembly and Blichmann Brewmometer, it comes to $140 shipped.
The second choice is to buy a 10 gallon aluminum pot, have the holes drilled by a local metal place, and add the "weldless" ball valve and thermometer assemblies. This option comes to $114 shipped.
Option one pros: stainless steel, lid, welded fittings.
Cons: only 9 gallons, more expensive
Option two pros: 10 gallon capacity, cheaper
cons: Aluminum, "weldless," no lid, some leg work involved (getting holes drilled).
Thoughts?
EDIT: it's worth noting, some of the cons are merely "perceived cons." Meaning, I won't really need a lid, so it probably doesn't matter if one doesn't come with it. And the aluminum vs. stainless steel debate is always there. I've heard some good arguments in favor of aluminum over SS lately too.
The first is a 9 gallon stainless steel pot with two welded 1/2" female threaded fittings. With the addition of a stainless steel ball valve assembly and Blichmann Brewmometer, it comes to $140 shipped.
The second choice is to buy a 10 gallon aluminum pot, have the holes drilled by a local metal place, and add the "weldless" ball valve and thermometer assemblies. This option comes to $114 shipped.
Option one pros: stainless steel, lid, welded fittings.
Cons: only 9 gallons, more expensive
Option two pros: 10 gallon capacity, cheaper
cons: Aluminum, "weldless," no lid, some leg work involved (getting holes drilled).
Thoughts?
EDIT: it's worth noting, some of the cons are merely "perceived cons." Meaning, I won't really need a lid, so it probably doesn't matter if one doesn't come with it. And the aluminum vs. stainless steel debate is always there. I've heard some good arguments in favor of aluminum over SS lately too.
Last edited by a moderator: