gr8shandini
Well-Known Member
I don't know if this is a crazy idea or not, but I'm considering building an electric rig based off of a 3 compartment stainless steel sink like you see in restaurants. For example, $370 (plus who knows what in shipping) would buy me this beast:
48" Stainless Sink
If I did my math correctly each compartment holds about 17 gallons. The best deal I could find on 60 qt stainless pots is about 120 bucks each, so we're in the same ballpark. And that's new. Restaurants go belly up often, so I should be able to find a used one for less if I keep searching.
So, here are the pros and cons as I can see them
Pro:
- Cost comparable to stockpots
- It's its own brew stand
- Almost ready to go (already has drains, minimal drilling required)
- The flat surfaces are better than curves for weldless fittings (if I go that route)
- Has provisions for a faucet for filling / cleanup
Con:
- Costs more than kegs (depending on how ethically you source them)
- Can't tip it over, so disposing of spent grains would be a pain
- Pre-fab false bottoms wouldn't fit
- No lid for HLT and MLT
- Heat transfer between sections (planning on a HERMS anyway, so maybe this is beneficial)
- About twice the surface area as a round pot. Excessive boil-off?
- The hot parts are about waist high, so you'd need to insulate the hell out of it to keep from burning yourself if you lean against it.
Anything else I'm overlooking?
48" Stainless Sink
If I did my math correctly each compartment holds about 17 gallons. The best deal I could find on 60 qt stainless pots is about 120 bucks each, so we're in the same ballpark. And that's new. Restaurants go belly up often, so I should be able to find a used one for less if I keep searching.
So, here are the pros and cons as I can see them
Pro:
- Cost comparable to stockpots
- It's its own brew stand
- Almost ready to go (already has drains, minimal drilling required)
- The flat surfaces are better than curves for weldless fittings (if I go that route)
- Has provisions for a faucet for filling / cleanup
Con:
- Costs more than kegs (depending on how ethically you source them)
- Can't tip it over, so disposing of spent grains would be a pain
- Pre-fab false bottoms wouldn't fit
- No lid for HLT and MLT
- Heat transfer between sections (planning on a HERMS anyway, so maybe this is beneficial)
- About twice the surface area as a round pot. Excessive boil-off?
- The hot parts are about waist high, so you'd need to insulate the hell out of it to keep from burning yourself if you lean against it.
Anything else I'm overlooking?