Cheap 8 qt pressure cooker?

[Jonnio]

I am looking for a cheap 6 or 8 quart pressure cooker to start playing with steam mashing, but I am not sure exactly what I need to look for.

Would something like this

Presto 8 Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker : Target

work?

 

[Joe Camel]

That would work, but if you want to eventually autoclave flasks, stirbars and starter wort, look on craigslist or the local buysell for a pressure canner. 20-25 qt work very well and you should be able to find one for around that price.

 

[Jonnio]

Can you use a 25 qt with only a few qts of water in it? That is a bit overkill for just the mash schedule I think.

 

[fratermus]

Can you use a 25 qt with only a few qts of water in it? That is a bit overkill for just the mash schedule I think.

I think Joe is saying that the physical size of the smaller canner will not allow for sterilization of large, common, useful objects like E-flasks for yeast starters. This ability to sterilize objects is a great secondary (or primary) reason for a brewer to have a pressure cooker.

 

[LooyvilleLarry]

I think I saw the same one at Sears for about the same price point.

 

[bmckee56]

I just came across this thread and was very interested in it. My better half gave me a pressure cooker for a gift and I have had no use for it as yet. Now I see there are a few I had not thought of. Using it as an autoclave is a neat idea.

Where can I get more info on Steam Mashing? I new to home brewed beer and am always looking for neat tricks that work to make things easier and quicker. I don't want to cut corners though!

Salute!

 

[Jonnio]

here is the thread that got me interested in it

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/easy-steam-infusion-mash-system-25974/

 

[LooyvilleLarry]

here is the thread that got me interested in it

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/easy-steam-infusion-mash-system-25974/

SCORE! I just got one of these this weekend and used it in my first AG. Picked up a 21 qt at Goodwill for -- $8.99!!

A little keg lube on the gasket and viola! I have to make some additions for a valve.

I might suggest adding pipe insulation to the line going to the MLT. IIRC, it took about 15 min at 10psi to raise the temp from 122 to 153.