Advice on Turkey Fryer

[Calder]

I know there have been a gazillion threads on turkey fryers, and I've read many of them, but wanted to see if I could get answers to my questions.

I currenly do partial mash, partial boil on the stove top in 20 quart steel pots. Works fine produces pretty good beer. I also boil my make-up water and use it to sterilize jugs and strainers I use, and it also clean the imersion cooler.

A store near me has the Bayou Classic 3060 on sale for $40. Includes 30 quart aluminum poy, burner, gas hose, thermometer, etc.

Want to know if it's worth getting, and what the benefits of using it are. Some specific questions:

- Is there any difference between aluminium and steel. I know it's an age old argument, and I've said there is no difference, but would like to hear it from someone who has used both.

- How many brews do you get from a standard gas canister.

- What are the benefits of doing a larger boil. I currently start with 4 gallons for a 6 gallon batch. I suppose I could start with 7 gallons with this pot.

- In summer it would be brewing on the deck. Anything needed to be aware of concerning hot pans and wood decks.

- In winter it would be brewing in the garage. Any concerns with moisture in the garage (door partially open of course).

- I can easily pour my wort into the fermenter from the 20 qt pot. How easy is it to pour from a 30 qt pot, with the larger volume. I just pour everything through a course screen into the fermenter.

 

[GetLooseontheGoose]

Good buy when you are starting out.

-aluminum conducts heat better, is not as sturdy as SS.
-as far as brews from a propan can, not sure, i also us mine to heat my hlt, bbq and fry turkeys.
-for me larger or full boils have more body. I added water once and the body was not right. you will not be able to do a 7gal boil in that pot. it is only 7.5 gal, but you can do a full 6 down to 5.
-no concerns, only when doing a turkey. dont drop in a icy or wet turkey.
-the garage is fine, just have the garage open
- if you are not a tiny man or anything you should be fine.

 

[JBrady]

Full boils supposedly give you better hop utilization, I say supposedly because I've only read this. I've always done full boils so I can't give you a comparison. I've also heard that you get better caramelization of the wort with a full boil.

I'm doing 3 brews on a tank of propane right now before I exchange it. The tank feels like its got at least 30 percent volume left in it, but I don't know how to tell just how much is left so I just swap early. I'd be willing to bet I could get at least 4 brews out of a tank if I tried it.

I don't think your wood deck will pose you any problems unless maybe you have some kind of stain on it that could be damaged by setting a hot pot on it. I wouldn't worry about moisture either, I have one of those multi tip burners with the small gas jets and it stays outside 24/7 rain or shine. The weather doesn't seem to have much damaging effects on it from what I can see. Now I don't let it fill up with water or anything, it stays under a table that blocks most of the rain but not all of it.

I'm not a expert on this stuff by no means but maybe my experiences will help you a little.

 

[imasickboy]

The biggest thing to worry about with aluminum, is to make sure you clean, rinse, and dry very well when you are done. Aluminum pits very easily with acidic things, and due to the very thin nature of the turkey fryer pots, a single pit could easily go all the way through the pot.

You can start with more than 6 gallons, BUT:

-Use fermcap
-Keep a spray bottle of water nearby just in case
-Start your boil slowly, and increase the boil as some evaporates

You can also likely use that same pot on the stove if you like. While I can't say for certain about your deck, I strongly recommend setting your burner on something non-flammable to insulate your deck from the heat. I do know that my driveway will get extremely hot underneath the burner by the end of a boil. It's much better to err on the side of caution.

 

[Calder]

Thanks for the input.

I always use FermCap, it's as close to a religion as I get.

Concerned about burns on wood. Will get a mat.

Not going to use turkey fryer for a turkey ... who would be that stupid!?!

Would intend to get a second tank so that if it runs out, there is a spare. How can you grill burgers at the same time as brewing if you don't have 2 tanks.

Please ... would like to hear as many opinions, suggestions as possible.


The wife has told me this is a good idea. Wants to get the hop aroma out of the house.

 

[JBrady]

Thanks for the input.

Would intend to get a second tank so that if it runs out, there is a spare. How can you grill burgers at the same time as brewing if you don't have 2 tanks.

I tell you what I really want to get..Ace Hardware has 80 gallon propane tanks for I believe less than 200 bucks. I'm not sure what it costs to fill them though. Its better to fill your own tank vs exchanging because I heard that those propane exchange companies short fill their tanks by 25%. Not sure how true that is though, lol

 

[wilserbrewer]

The wife has told me this is a good idea.

So....why are you asking us...ever hear the term SWMBO




For 40 bucks you cant go wrong. This will give you options on other ways to brew. You can go AG w/ a simple cooler MT or maybe try a BIAB w/ one of your smaller pots to dunk the bag for a sparge. perhaps the larger kettle will fir on the stove if the wife is out of town. IMO turkey fryers arent worth retail, but for $40 it will help you progress. Try an AG batch

You can still prepare the wort (mash) inside and boil outside...electrify that kettle and brew in the basement w/ a fan...wifey will hardly smell a thing...hah hopefully.

If nothing else you can use it for a "Low Country Boil" for a summer party.

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/daves-low-country-boil/Detail.aspx

 

[Calder]

So....why are you asking us...ever hear the term SWMBO

For 40 bucks you cant go wrong. This will give you options on other ways to brew. You can go AG w/ a simple cooler MT or maybe try a BIAB w/ one of your smaller pots to dunk the bag for a sparge. perhaps the larger kettle will fir on the stove if the wife is out of town. IMO turkey fryers arent worth retail, but for $40 it will help you progress. Try an AG batch

You can still prepare the wort (mash) inside and boil outside...electrify that kettle and brew in the basement w/ a fan...wifey will hardly smell a thing...hah hopefully.

If nothing else you can use it for a "Low Country Boil" for a summer party.

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/daves-low-country-boil/Detail.aspx

Wife didn't hear about it until after the first post. She wasn't sure until she heard it was for brewing and not for turkey frying.

I think I'm going to get it tomorrow before they go.

Why dio you say "IMO turkey fryers arent worth retail, but for $40 it will help you progress."

 

[Mista_Sparkle]

moderately related:

The lowes by me has 40000 Btu fryers with 30qt pots for $30.

 

[Catt22]

Its better to fill your own tank vs exchanging because I heard that those propane exchange companies short fill their tanks by 25%. Not sure how true that is though, lol

In most cases it's true that the exchange tanks are only filled to 15 lbs. IIRC, the retailers are now required by law to post the net weight where the tanks are exchanged. A 20 lb propane tank will indeed hold 20 lbs. without being overfilled. Don't let them tell you differently.

 

[Flomaster]

well I bought my turkey fryer kit and the only thing I am using from it is the stand it came with and even then I had to hack it up to make it work.

I went with a NG burner hooked up to a QD hose off the back of my house.
I used the pot for a turkey fry on thanksgiving and don't wish to use it for beer, thats what my keggles are for.

but ifthe $40 price tag is good with you and will allow you to make better beer and keep SWMBO happy go for it.

-=Jason=-

 

[GetLooseontheGoose]

I take my tank to the gas station and they fill it up to 98% for a few bucks. Can't beat that... and yes I really want another tank, just waiting on the cash flow.

 

[Catt22]

I take my tank to the gas station and they fill it up to 98% for a few bucks. Can't beat that... and yes I really want another tank, just waiting on the cash flow.

Dude, keep your eyes peeled. I have seven 20 lb tanks and got them all for free. People throw them away all the time. Some even have fuel remaining. Often they will buy a new BBQ and it will come with a new tank. They simply dump the old somewhat rusty ones. I swapped out the crummier ones at the exchange place no questions asked. Just after Christmas is prime picking time. Lots of guys will get a new BBQ for Christmas from the not so new wife.

 

[GetLooseontheGoose]

Dude, keep your eyes peeled. I have seven 20 lb tanks and got them all for free. People throw them away all the time. Christmas is prime picking time. Lots of guys will get a new BBQ for Christmas from the not so new wife.

Thanks man I will have to keep my eyes peeled for one.

 

[Patirck]

Turkey fryers work great - I use my brother in law's all the time (he bought it a few years ago and used it for turkey once - then I started brewing beer....)

I find that with the one I have I want to make it a bit higher when I brew so I put 4 cinder (sp?) blocks under it and it raises the kettle to a much better height. This would help with the wood deck issue.

 

[dandw12786]

Dude, keep your eyes peeled. I have seven 20 lb tanks and got them all for free. People throw them away all the time. Some even have fuel remaining. Often they will buy a new BBQ and it will come with a new tank. They simply dump the old somewhat rusty ones. I swapped out the crummier ones at the exchange place no questions asked. Just after Christmas is prime picking time. Lots of guys will get a new BBQ for Christmas from the not so new wife.

+1... Check garage sales. Sometimes people will sell an old grill for 15-20 bucks and leave the propane tank on, not realizing how expensive an empty one actually is... so basically you get a good tank for half price, and a free crappy grill