Are the Blichmann Boilermaker pots worth it?

[erikrocks]

You didn't look hard enough. I just bought a 20 gallon stainless pot and 3 piece stainless valve with fittings for $150, shipped to my door. It doesn't have a sight glass and thermometer, but I feel those are a waste of money in a boil kettle any way.

Sorry, I failed to mention that buying USA is also extremely important to my decision making process. Blichmann uses US parts for the vast majority of the time, and none of his stuff is assembled in China or any other 3rd World Country.

Also, as I've stated before, I really love the Boilermaker site gauge.

 

[bja]

Sorry, I failed to mention that buying USA is also extremely important to my decision making process. Blichmann uses US parts for the vast majority of the time, and none of his stuff is assembled in China or any other 3rd World Country.

You also failed to read this.

First and foremost Blichmann kettles are not made in the US. Blichmann, Megapots, Bayou Classic, ours, etc are all made in China.

 

[erikrocks]

You also failed to read this.

Hmm--I'm not so sure about that. I just sent an email off to Blichmann...

 

[5DollsBrewery]

Thanks so much for the replies.

If I go with the 15 gallon wont I have to worry about
Excess boil off due to larger surface area as I brew my 5gallon batches?

Are sight glasses on them easy to clean?

Thanks much for the prompt answers. Love this place.

 

[Jukas]

Thanks so much for the replies.

If I go with the 15 gallon wont I have to worry about
Excess boil off due to larger surface area as I brew my 5gallon batches?

Are sight glasses on them easy to clean?

Thanks much for the prompt answers. Love this place.

I do mostly 5.5 - 6gal batches and have the 15g blichmann. I probably boil off a little more than if I had gone with a 10gal pot, because I'm assuming that the 10gal is a slightly smaller diameter than the 16" of the 15gal.

However, having 8.5gal preboil come up almost to the top at the start of the hot break and not having to worry about boilover, not having to use fermcap or having to turn the burner down was worth it to me. I doubt my boiloff is more than .25g over what it would be in a 10gal pot.

If I ever move to doing 10gal batches I'd likely need to either really manage the kettle, or move to a 20gal for my boils and keep the 15 for a mashtun.

 

[Calichusetts]

Are sight glasses on them easy to clean?

Sight glasses are absolutely pointless...I've got a 1 foot lab thermometer that I can hitch up to the top of my kettle...I filled my kettle and marked off what temp marking was what volume. I've never failed to hit my intended post boil volume to withing half a quart. I'd rather have to wipe off a thermo then clean a sight glass, and I would never pay for one. Just my opinion but I have never seen the need for these. Then again I am in indoor brewer so season and humidity play a smaller role in my boils.

Just to reinforce that idea. I did my first recipe this morning with leaf instead of pellet, and my first brew under 8%. Estimated absorption from hops and loss of absorption from less grain and still hit my mark. Just had to delay my 10 minute addition by 3 minute

Its the first page of my brew log. I mark what temp (C and F) equals what volume and then do some simple math to find the exact amount each degree (or five degrees) is per quart. Very simple, takes 10 minutes tops, and you can even be heating up your water while doing it so it actually doesn't take up an extra time.

 

[Gear101]

He is the one to set the stanard!!!

 

[Seven]

If getting things as cheaply as possible is important to you then Blichmann kettles probably aren't for you.

They are worth the money in my opinion... but only you can decide if it's "worth it" to you.

Other kettles will work fine too... I would have no problem using a keggle or a bayou classic or whatever else out there.

Definitely consider getting a 15-gallon kettle instead of the 10-gallon. I wish I had.

Sight glasses aren't pointless. Some people consider them a useful tool.

Make sure to use the supplied heat shield when boiling to protect the thermometer and sight glass because contact with direct flame can damage them.

 

[ArcaneXor]

SpikeBrewing,

are your kettles 18-gauge stainless? Judging by the site description, they are close to 20-gauge.

 

[SpikeBrewing]

SpikeBrewing,

are your kettles 18-gauge stainless? Judging by the site description, they are close to 20-gauge.

They are 1mm thick which converts roughly to 19 gauge.

 

[Markd27]

Sight glasses are absolutely pointless...I've got a 1 foot lab thermometer that I can hitch up to the top of my kettle...I filled my kettle and marked off what temp marking was what volume. I've never failed to hit my intended post boil volume to withing half a quart. I'd rather have to wipe off a thermo then clean a sight glass, and I would never pay for one. Just my opinion but I have never seen the need for these. Then again I am in indoor brewer so season and humidity play a smaller role in my boils.

Just to reinforce that idea. I did my first recipe this morning with leaf instead of pellet, and my first brew under 8%. Estimated absorption from hops and loss of absorption from less grain and still hit my mark. Just had to delay my 10 minute addition by 3 minute

Its the first page of my brew log. I mark what temp (C and F) equals what volume and then do some simple math to find the exact amount each degree (or five degrees) is per quart. Very simple, takes 10 minutes tops, and you can even be heating up your water while doing it so it actually doesn't take up an extra time.

So you are calling something you don't own and have never used absolutely pointless? Just because you have found a zero cost alternative that you are satisfied with, doesn't make them pointless. They are incredibly useful, and the cleaning process being overly difficult is completely exaggerated.

 

[Jukas]

So you are calling something you don't own and have never used absolutely pointless? Just because you have found a zero cost alternative that you are satisfied with, doesn't make them pointless. They are incredibly useful, and the cleaning process being overly difficult is completely exaggerated.

I'll say. Take your garden hose with the nozzle set to 'jet' stick it in the top hole and let loose. If you feel you still have hop trub in there take the top off and run a brush through it. I can get it in 5 min or less.

 

[l3asturd]

Are 15/20 gallon Boilermakers worth $400, no. Are they arguably the best homebrew vessels available, yes. If I could afford 3 of them, I would definitely buy them. I currently just use kegs, but I want to support homebrew vendors.

 

[heathsw]

I think the best advice is to map out where you want to go with your brew setup. 5 and 10 gallon batches can be done nicely with a 15 gallon pot. I think a sightglass can be more trouble and cost than it is worth. There are many spread sheets that can give you the volume of your kettle by measuring the level with a tape. I use a kettle with a false bottom and a braided strainer that works great. No problems with whole or pellet hops. Clean-up is important, I like tri-clamps. A thermometer is a luxury (I have one on my system).

If you can afford it or save some money on your brew kettle, a good burner is great addition to your system.

Remeber this is part of a system.

 

[Calichusetts]

So you are calling something you don't own and have never used absolutely pointless? Just because you have found a zero cost alternative that you are satisfied with, doesn't make them pointless. They are incredibly useful, and the cleaning process being overly difficult is completely exaggerated.

Yes...pointless. One more thing to clean or could leak/break, can be done with a mash paddle or my method. I'm certainly not drooling over the use borosilicate glass either. BTW...read my post, never said it was overly difficult to clean, just that you have to clean it. I also stated that this was just my opinion, you are entitled to yours.

Cheers

 

[bja]

So you are calling something you don't own and have never used absolutely pointless? Just because you have found a zero cost alternative that you are satisfied with, doesn't make them pointless. They are incredibly useful, and the cleaning process being overly difficult is completely exaggerated.

I referred to sight glasses as a waste of money, but pointless works also.

The only situation where one might be useful is when you cannot easily see into the pot. For example a HLT which is up high on a gravity fed system.

 

[Markd27]

Yes...pointless. One more thing to clean or could leak/break, can be done with a mash paddle or my method. I'm certainly not drooling over the use borosilicate glass either. BTW...read my post, never said it was overly difficult to clean, just that you have to clean it. I also stated that this was just my opinion, you are entitled to yours.

Cheers

With your logic, home brewing is pretty pointless. So many things clean or break or leak when you can just go to the store and buy a sixer.

 

[Calichusetts]

With your logic, home brewing is pretty pointless. So many things clean or break or leak when you can just go to the store and buy a sixer.

Worst. Analysis. Ever.

Now we are just hijacking the thread...back to my original point. If I had to get two kettles for a setup and had $800...I would personally have a lot more left over than blichmann owners

 

[dfess1]

I own a 15 gal blichman. Bought it to step up to full wort boils (with a bonus check from work). Nice pot. use it as my MLT now. I could not justify the same price for a HLT (it holds warm water, that's it), and for my BK (already had planned other holes in this pot, would bring down resale value if that ever is needed). As a MLT with their false bottom, works pretty good. But it does have a problem holding heat in cool weather. If going a traditional 3 pot AG system, it was hard to justify the added expense. But I do like it, not sure if any of that helps.

And yes, I find site gauges to be very helpful.

 

[bdjohns1]

NB: I don't own anything from Blichmann, Stout, Spike, etc. My pot is a stainless pot I bought off Amazon for $130ish (triple ply bottom) and soldered/brazed on my own fittings.

I don't think Blichmann is worth the money. If I weren't taking the DIY approach, I'd get Stout gear, because as someone who earns his paycheck working in food and beverage manufacturing, Stout's equipment looks the closest to what I see used every day to handle millions of pounds of milk and cream.

 

[Irrenarzt]

I have 3 Boilermakers in 20/15/15 as well as a Spike 15 gallon I use as my BK for 5 gallon batches. I prefer the Spike kettle as a BK as it is easy to clean and fits my system needs quite nicely. But if you are in need of a 15 gallon direct fired mash tun, the Boilermaker has no match. The Boilermaker false bottom is the best in the business and is worth every penny. But as a BK, I'd rather have something light and simple. I prefer my BK to not have a sight glass or thermometer.

Here's a pic from last weekend when I brewed 3 batches with the Spike kettle. Very nice kettle, especially for the price.

 

[5DollsBrewery]

Thanks so much for the replies guys. Didn't mean for this to turn into a flame war but I did learn a ton from it. I'm going with a 15 gallon with the info I've gotten from you all and still debating price points with the bride so we shall see.

Thanks again.

 

[Markd27]

Good luck, be sure to let us know what you decide to go with!

 

[truebe]

never had a sight glass but for me i would imagine the convenience of clearly reading the level on the outside of the pot from a distance as opposed to having to stick your head over the top and reading it in heat and water vapor would be worth the extra time cleaning it.

 

[wubears71]

Thanks so much for the replies guys. Didn't mean for this to turn into a flame war but I did learn a ton from it. I'm going with a 15 gallon with the info I've gotten from you all and still debating price points with the bride so we shall see.

Thanks again.

Good luck in your search. Where in St. Louis are you from?

 

[jbsg02]

I have 3 Boilermakers in 20/15/15 as well as a Spike 15 gallon I use as my BK for 5 gallon batches. I prefer the Spike kettle as a BK as it is easy to clean and fits my system needs quite nicely. But if you are in need of a 15 gallon direct fired mash tun, the Boilermaker has no match. The Boilermaker false bottom is the best in the business and is worth every penny. But as a BK, I'd rather have something light and simple. I prefer my BK to not have a sight glass or thermometer.

Here's a pic from last weekend when I brewed 3 batches with the Spike kettle. Very nice kettle, especially for the price.

Thanks for this. I'm currently considering the Spike 15 gallon kettle with the ball valve because I only intend to use it as a boil kettle.

 

[Irrenarzt]

No sweat. I prefer a more streamlined BK. Some people want a thermometer and a sightglass and if that's the case, the Blichmann is the best there is but for a BK I see no need for either unless you are tracking brewhouse efficiency every batch. I know my efficiency well enough that I don't really see a need to track it so there is no need for a sightglass for a BK as it's just one more thing to break. I hate the thermometer probe sticking out into the boil when I'm stirring in my BK so I just stick a thermometer in there when I chill. When it comes to the BK, I like to keep it simple. A nice valve and a whirlpool return is all I want. The Spike is a nice kettle to modify to your needs as it is well made and the price is right.

 

[Irrenarzt]

Here's another shot of the Spike BK. It is indeed a nice kettle. Ben is the man.

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Here's another shot of the Spike BK. It is indeed a nice kettle. Ben is the man.

I can't argue with that man :rockin:

 

[Jukas]

I don't think Blichmann is worth the money. If I weren't taking the DIY approach, I'd get Stout gear, because as someone who earns his paycheck working in food and beverage manufacturing, Stout's equipment looks the closest to what I see used every day to handle millions of pounds of milk and cream.

I own the 15gal Blichmann kettle and I feel it presents value for the money. I certainly don't regret purchasing it. I've seen SS pots that seem "cheap" for their cost and the Blichmann doesn't fit that bill. Not everyone will want a sight glass or thermometer so I would be nice if a version was available without, but I'm still very happy with my kettle. Do note that if you buy the 15g to do 5g batches don't count on using the thermometer as it requires about 6.5g volume to make contact with the probe.

That being said, had I know about Stout I likely would have purchased from them instead. Their kit appears to be well made and is certainly affordable. As I continue to price out and mull over a conical fermenter I have little doubt I'll buy from Stout at this point.. I can get a 7.3g conical with short legs and tri clamp fittings for half of what the Blichmann 7g with tri clamp costs.