Affordable brew kettle

Looking for an afforable pot in my area that could handle a 5 gallon boil. Everything I'm seeing is so expensive...does anyone have a suggestion as to what I should look for or where so I dont break the bank? Already spent so much on supplies. I live in Sewell, NJ 08080.

Check craigslist ads to see if you can find a 1/2 bbl keg and convert it to a boil keggle. All you'll need to add is a ball valve and dip tube assembly (in the $50 range, no bulkhead, just the valve, some o-rings, compression to npt fitting and an actual diptube, check bargain fitting's web site). IME, cheap pots are often made very cheap. Thin walls, bottoms, and won't hold up well to having holes put in them.

If you don't 'need' stainless, check restaurant supply stores for aluminum pots (stock pots) that are at least 32 quarts. I wouldn't go below 32 quarts even for 5 gallon batches. Doing so means you'll have trouble with longer boils, and/or higher ABV/OG batches. Better to get at least a 10 gallon kettle (made/bought).

I got a Bayou classic turkey fryer for 140 it says its stainless but I'm pretty sure it isnt (maybe the stand is)... not sure how "affordable" it is but you get the burner and pot in one go and it is about 8gal too.. so if you need both it may work out for you

Golddiggie said:

Check craigslist ads to see if you can find a 1/2 bbl keg and convert it to a boil keggle. All you'll need to add is a ball valve and dip tube assembly (in the $50 range, no bulkhead, just the valve, some o-rings, compression to npt fitting and an actual diptube, check bargain fitting's web site). IME, cheap pots are often made very cheap. Thin walls, bottoms, and won't hold up well to having holes put in them.

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+1. Just got a keg for free from a frat boy SWMBO works with. $36 for a bulkhead and 3 piece stainless ball valve. I still have to get a dip tube (noobie, I forgot), but that is way cheaper than buying a SS pot.

allenH said:

+1. Just got a keg for free from a frat boy SWMBO works with. $36 for a bulkhead and 3 piece stainless ball valve. I still have to get a dip tube (noobie, I forgot), but that is way cheaper than buying a SS pot.

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There's a special place in Brewer Heaven for such 'Frat boys'...

Every time a brewer (using such a keggle) a frat boy gets his wings... :rockin:

If you are ok with aluminum you could get one of these. I bought 2 from this seller so far both are sturdy and the seller ships out of NJ.

You'll need to define 'affordable'. It'll help decide if you'll be in the aluminum or stainless price range.

check out ebay and search for concord 40 or 60 or 80 quart

How about this aluminum 32qt steamer pot from target for $22? I have used it on my electric stove top, centered up over two burners, and it seems to get the job done.
http://www.target.com/p/imusa-32-qt-aluminum-tamale-steamer/-/A-10910892

I got my "IMUSA" brand stainless 20qt pot off of ebay for 25 bucks shipped and I couldnt be any happier with it. Well, besides upgrading to a larger size. I have seen bigger imusa pots on there though.

+1 on the keggle idea. Seriously, you can go even cheaper without the bulkhead, ball-valve, racking-whatever-shenanigans. They're not needed unless you are using a counterflow chiller. Just chop the top off and pretend it's a huge pot. You'll need access to an angle grinder, but a single metal cut-off wheel is ~$1.50 at home depot. If you want to save yourself some trouble, cut it off at the point where the top dome weld hits the side, then you don't need to rig a ghetto jig to make a nice circle. You'll lose like a gallon of space, maybe. Then two heavy-duty aluminum gate pulls and 4 SS bolts for the handles will run you another $15 or so. The handles make it easy to pick it up and pour out the side too.

I highly recommend scouring craigslist in college towns for kegs. Frats put these things up for bulk sale like twice a year.

I might be exaggerating about "twice a year" but the last time I bought one, the guy had 6 more for sale in his backyard. It's like a goldmine of cheap stainless steel.

I used to use a canning pot. 32 quart black enamel finish. Works fine if you take care of it. Will likely fit over two stove burners. I've still got two of them I think kicking around. Where abouts in jersey are you? You can have one.

You can get a bayou classic with a burner and pot on eBay for around $100.

I just got an aluminum 40 qt pot from the vietmanese section in philly for a smooth 35 bucks