Thinking to get a new kettle...

[TheFrenchDude]

Hi folks!

I am in the market for a new kettle.

Do you have any recommandation about model, size etc...

I brew 3gal batches and don't think to go any larger.
I presently use my pressure canner pot(aprox. 5 gal.) to brew and I don't want to drill it as I would get some features as valve, temp probe etc...
I don't have propane I use my electric stove.

Thank you for help.

 

[jculler82]

I use a Megapot 1.2 from Northern Brewer (10 Gallon) and do both 3 and 6 gallon batches with it. It replaced a 36 Qt Bayou Classic. I also have a 20 Gallon Blichmann Boilermaker that I use for larger batches.

Both are great quality kettles and I could recommend both brands. Blichmann offers a 7.5 gallon option and you can get an 8 Gallon Megapot. If you'd prefer to stay with the 5 gallon size, SS Brewtech has a 5.5 gallon kettle. ( http://www.ssbrewtech.com/collections/kettles/products/ss-brew-kettle-5-5-gallon )

If I would have known about SS Brewtech kettles when I was upgrading from the Bayou I would have probably went that direction, but I'm happy with both brands I currently have too.

 

[TheFrenchDude]

The fact is I never did an high gravity in my 5gal kettle (BIAB)
Some told me that it would be a little bit small.
So I was not sure about the size.

 

[jculler82]

5 gallons is not ideal for an all grain beer with a high starting gravity, but you could also make up some of your fermentables with extract to solve that issue if you want to keep the kettle size you have.

 

[BitterSweetBrews]

Depends on what you want to spend. I have seen SS steamers at a local Hispanic grocery store for $55 for a 50 quart and $36 for a 36 quart. This is a whole lot less ($$$) than purpose made brew kettles. They may also not be as heavy duty, but how often are you going to use it?

E-bay stock pots. You can get a pretty good 60qt SS pot for around $85.

You can get set up without spending a lot of cash. You will have to drill holes and add fittings which may not make it worth it for you.

 

[LateraLex]

I just ordered this one for kitchen brewing, as I should be able to straddle two burners. The price is definitely right.
http://www.kitchenrestock.com/Winco-AXS-40-Stock-Pot_p_2469.html
http://www.kitchenrestock.com/Winco-AXS-40C-Cover-Lid-Cookware_p_5204.html

 

[soccerdad]

How much is cost a factor? Do you want it ported? Ported once? Twice? Thrice?

Some BIABers don't like a thermometer probe sticking in .. never bothered me

 

[BitterSweetBrews]

Since you said that you are planning on brewing on your stove that limits you more than the batch size you would like to brew. You will be lucky to get 3-4 gallons of water boiling on a stove unless you have a real high wattage element or two real high elements that you can straddle. If you are extract brewing this may be OK. For BIAB or full all grain it may not for anything larger than 3 or 4 gallons total liquid.

I have a drop in range I use in my brewery which has two elements and an hourglass element in between them so I have what amounts a very large, about 18" element in a race track shape. I can get 5 gallons boiling, but it takes a long time and isn't a very strong boil..

If you get or make a heat stick (lots of youtubes on this) you can supplement your stove and make it work.

 

[pretzelb]

Have you considered a indoor electric system? I think with a 3g batch size you can even use a 120 outlet.

 

[soccerdad]

My gas stove is fine for indoor BIAB @ 5G batch. I think the large burner is 18,000 BTU - maybe more

 

[TheFrenchDude]

Thank you all for advices! Now I actually think about indoor electric system as one of you asked.
This is probably the best option I have.

 

[wilserbrewer]

I just ordered this one for kitchen brewing, as I should be able to straddle two burners. The price is definitely right.
http://www.kitchenrestock.com/Winco-AXS-40-Stock-Pot_p_2469.html
http://www.kitchenrestock.com/Winco-AXS-40C-Cover-Lid-Cookware_p_5204.html

That is a nice pot, no doubt. One of my kettles is aluminum and I like aluminum. After paying for a lid and shipping you may not have been far from this SS 40 qt pot at $66. Just a suggestion for anyone looking for a pot...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CONCORD-Pol...b221cfc&pid=100005&rk=5&rkt=6&sd=381814724620

This cheap 32 qt tamale steamer from walmart is a price performer at $21.47

https://www.walmart.com/ip/IMUSA-32-Quart-Aluminum-Tamale-and-Seafood-Steamer/13370045