25 Gallon Brew Kettle Recommendations

[sickbrew]

I’ve finally decided to trade in my saw horse, folding table and ladder and build a two-tier stand. At this point it also makes sense to upgrade my brew kettle from a sanke. Why limit the batch size.

For example an 18 gallon batch of pale ale (3 6-gallon carboys) at 85% efficiency computes to 32 lbs of grain and at 1.25 qts/lb. I only need 12.56 total gallons of mash tun space. My sanke mash tun can certainly handle that but when it comes to a pre-boil volume of 21.15 gallons a sanke bk obviously floods.

As such, I think I’m going to go with a 25 gallon SS pot. I’ve looked at most of the major homebrew vendor sights and when compared to commercial cookware sites they don't seem to compete, unless I’m missing something that is.

Some requirements

100 QT
1.2 mm thick body or 18/10
5 mm bottom
Loop handles
With cover
3-ply bottom of stainless steel and aluminum
Stainless steel

Some I'm considering for about $200

http://www.kitchenfantasy.com/shopping_cart/stockpots.html
http://www.instawares.com/stainless-steel-stock-pot-sps-100.upi-sps100.0.7.htm
http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com...ots-90-qt-and-up-capacity/c1995_227-1416.aspx
http://www.shop.5-0bbq.com/102-QT-Stainless-Steel-Stock-Pot-Without-Basket-1002.htm

Shipping will probably be high and then there’s the added cost of welding in fittings.

Comparable 25 gallon pots with a single hole and ball valve added go for about $300 without shipping.

Any advice??

 

[Hex]

The Bayou Classic probably is not as pictured. I ordered a 34 qt that looked like the one pictured, but received a pot that also has a strainer ring indented around the rim. No biggy, nice sturdy pot, but maybe not as pictured. Interesting list!

 

[RiverCityBrewer]

I have this megapot from morebeer - http://morebeer.com/view_product/8425//Heavy_Duty_Brew_Kettle_-_With_Ball_Valve_104_Quart_26_Gallon

Its fantastic, I've been doing 12-20 gallon batches in it for about 6 months and it has been great and I think it meets all the criteria you mentioned except that it is slightly bigger. (Free shipping yay!)

 

[Sawdustguy]

I would go with a 25 gallon Mega Pot from Northern Brewer at $256.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/25-gallon-megapot.html

They are built like brick chit houses and have an aluminum sawdwiched bottom to spread the heat out over the whole bottom.

 

[DrHops]

The Instawares one is what they make the Megapots out of. With that being said, by the time you add shipping, a drill bit to drill through steel and the ball valve, it would probably be the same cost as a Megapot with free shipping.

 

[sickbrew]

I'm glad I posted this question.

I think I'll go with the 26 gallon mega pot from morebeer.

Seems to be hard to beat when you add in the free shipping and welded fittings. Just add a bit of hardware, some heat and wort and you're brewing!!

cheers

 

[CharlosCarlies]

I have the 26g B3 kettles and love them. You won't be disappointed.