Bayou Classic Brew Kettle

[2ShortHairs]

I purchased the 8-gallon one of these a few months back and am just getting to use it this weekend. I was putting it together and noticed that the spigot doesn't come with any o-rings. Was this the case for everyone else? If so, did you find that there was any leaking around the spigot? Debating if I should be pro-active and get some silicone o-rings for the spigot.

The spigot seemed fairly stiff to me trying it out, but I've been able to loosen up easily enough.

Also: I was somewhat excited to use both the bazooka filter and the false bottom, but the false bottom's legs make it very difficult to use both, somewhat disappointed with that, but there may be a work around.

You can make both the bazooka and the false bottom work if you tilt the false bottom in with the bazooka in between the legs towards the front and then gently pull up on the bazooka and thread it through the leg in the back and lower the false bottom down.

I just got an 8 gallon kettle but have not had the chance to use it yet. I am thinking of using it as a mash tun in a three pot 5 gallon system. Has anyone used one as a mash tun yet?

 

[tc33133]

I have the 16 gallon set, and I've had problems with my false bottom letting grain through since 2nd or 3rd brew. This weekend's brew (probably #6 or #7) had a 27lb grain bill. One of the legs of the false bottom buckled and let a lot of grain through. First time I had to shovel out all my grain bill mid lauter. You might want to get an additional stand or something to support it for larger grain bills. Otherwise, I've been happy with the set and a 62qt BC stock pot I use for my BK.

 

[Ayrahvon]

You can make both the bazooka and the false bottom work if you tilt the false bottom in with the bazooka in between the legs towards the front and then gently pull up on the bazooka and thread it through the leg in the back and lower the false bottom down.

I just got an 8 gallon kettle but have not had the chance to use it yet. I am thinking of using it as a mash tun in a three pot 5 gallon system. Has anyone used one as a mash tun yet?

I actually found that there is a very specific angle in which you can fit both in, it requires some attention, but I set it up before putting anything into the kettle and it worked well.

I bought this kettle to try out BIAB so I used it as a mash tun, but all the grain was in a bag as well during that process. The system worked wonderfully except that my water estimates were off for BIAB. Ended up with almost an extra gallon and a half of beer! I'm lucky I was going for a high gravity beer in the 1080 range and still managed to get a 1061 even with all that extra water in it.

The kettle itself worked perfectly during the process. I had no caramelization or burning of wort at the bottom of the kettle even with the false bottom in during boil.

My false bottom seems to be very durable, I doubt you could put enough grain into the 8-gallon version to have it buckle like the 16 tc3 has. Though with his warning I'm not sure I'd want to test it out!

 

[2ShortHairs]

Sounds like a rough brew day tc did the beer turnout? I don't think I I'll have to worry about it collapsing though, with the 8 gallon I figured it would only hold 18 maybe 19 lbs of grain max.

I think I am going to brew a few BIAB's in the kettle while I'm slowly gathering parts for three pot stand. I dying to use it. Did you just knot the bag of grain and let it sit on the false bottom? How much grain have you been able to fit into the kettle Ayrahvon?

 

[tc33133]

Ha, yeah wort turned out great, hit my pre & post boil numbers and its still chugging along. I just scooped it all in to a big grain bag I have, cleaned out the false bottom and MT, put the bag of grain on the false bottom and sparged as usual.

 

[2ShortHairs]

Finally got to use my Bayou Classic 8 gallon brewing kettle for my first all grain batch ever. Brewed an IPA and it went really well, so I thought I would share some pics of the brew night.

 

[Texastrooper]

I just changed from my 15 gallon Sanke Keg which I used before to a 16 gallon Bayou classic since I was tired of having clogged spigots. Grain was always finding a way to get underneath the false bottom in the keg.
I am ok with the quality/price ratio of the Bayou Classic pots but the false bottom of the 16 gallon pot sits so high (3 inches above the bottom of the pot) that there are 3 gallons of unused space underneath the false bottom. This does not really leave enough volume above the false bottom for 5 gallon batches. I want to keep that kettle for larger 10 gallon batches but I need a smaller pot for my 5 gallon batches since I love to brew high gravity beers like IPAs. How much dead space do the 8 or 10 gallon Bayou Classic pots have underneath the false bottom?

 

[kwadric]

I have an 8 gallon. The false bottom is 1.5 gallons above the bottom.

 

[CJBrewVT]

10 gallon is 2 gallons below false bottom and drains to 1 gallon.

 

[kwadric]

I was incorrect above; the false bottom is at the 1.5 gallon mark. I am going to edit my post above to be correct.

 

[Texastrooper]

Thanks guys. I think I am going to get an 8 gallon got. Just waiting to find a good deal.

 

[Biogrove]

I've been looking at the 10 gallon kit. Was glad to find this thread and get some positive feedback on the quality/utility of this set.

Don't know what kind of deal you're looking for but this seems to be a pretty good deal on the 8 gallon kit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bayou-Class...762?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a294b1c6a

 

[avlbrew]

I bought the 16 gallon version without false bottom or thermometer for my kettle. Quality of the pot is great. Handles are welded and the thickness is good. I was worried that it might feel cheap but that's not the case at all.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007V493PG/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Ayrahvon]

Gotten a few batches done on the 8 Gallon. You can squeeze a 5 gallon BIAB in it, but if you want some space on top I'd suggest either doing a small sparge rather than putting all your water in at the start, or getting a 10 gallon.

 

[dynobyte]

It's a lot cheaper if you just buy the kettle & then put in your own weldless spigot (very easy drill) & I'd suggest the screen over the false bottom. Amazon sells the 36q pot alone for $70.99.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009JXYUA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[CJBrewVT]

Dynobyte, that is not the same pot listed on Amazon. That is a steamer basket pot and isn't nearly the same quality as the brew specific pots. The brewing pots are a little heavier duty, have welded handles, numbers stamped, etc.

The item number of the 8 gallon brew pot is 1308. The 36 quart steamer is 1036.

He's right though. To do it again I'd drill my own port. The false bottom is great for mash tun, but for leaf hops in the kettle it's a pain to clean. This would be true of any false bottom used though in any brew pot.

Hope this link works. The prices are better elsewhere.

http://www.bayouclassiccooking.com/bacltrst.html

 

[kwadric]

One of the pluses of the 8 gallon pot is that the paint gallon strainers fit the circumference of the pot. I slap one on there instead of using a hops spider.

 

[ScottMcCray]

Just got my 16 gallon in this week - hope to get the electric conversion done and brew this weekend. PROVANTAGE had the best price I could find - $248.74 shipped via FedEx. Pretty stoked...

 

[bmorosco]

I think with the 1.5 gallon space on the bottom it makes a great Mash kettle for a Rims System so you can recirculate your mash water. These kettles look like the perfect setup for this..

 

[bmorosco]

So I went and Bought 3 of them and going to start my Brew Stand...

 

[rideincircles]

Considering the 16 gallon pot with thermometer and spigot for my next brew pot. It is on sale for $200 at overstock.

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garde...-Brew-Kettle/8232445/product.html?searchidx=0

Is there anywhere cheaper or a better 16gallon kettle with thermometer and spigot for $200?

Also saw it on ebay for the same price.

The 62 quart kettle is only $105 also.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VXD94A/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I already have the 9 gallon pot with spigot, but run out of room with my large beers and run out of room for adding the rest of the second runnings.

 

[anmldr]

Look for a coupon for overstock I just got mine 15% off, free shipping so total was 169. Brewed a IIPA last weekend. I'm doing BIAB may be purchasing a false bottom for it

 

[bigjsempire]

Check out the Bayou Classic 16 gallon 4 piece brew set with lid, thermometer, and ball valve and its $156 + shipping. http://www.provantage.com/bayou-classic-464~7BAYC015.htm

 

[hezagenius]

Just an FYI, there are 2 Bayou Classic 16g kettles with valves and thermometers. One is a triple-ply bottom and the other isn't. The 800-416 is the model that has a triple-ply. The 800-464 does not. The one in the link above is the the 800-464. It is still a good deal but if you want a 3 ply bottom, you will need to look at the 800-416 model.

 

[cannman]

Just an FYI, there are 2 Bayou Classic 16g kettles with valves and thermometers. One is a triple-ply bottom and the other isn't. The 800-416 is the model that has a triple-ply. The 800-464 does not. The one in the link above is the the 800-464. It is still a good deal but if you want a 3 ply bottom, you will need to look at the 800-416 model.

Just wondering, why do we want 3 ply bottoms? This is good? (Sound good...)

 

[hezagenius]

Just wondering, why do we want 3 ply bottoms? This is good? (Sound good...)

It dissipates the heat from the burner better, which can lead to less scorching of ingredients in the kettle.

 

[HopSong]

I have a 44 qt for sale in the For Sale Forum. It is not the Home Brewing version. but, it does have the ss basket and it is easy to add a valve and thermometer. BUT, at this point, I'm not willing to ship

 

[rideincircles]

To anyone interested in one of these pots, check out the Texas Brewing pots at my LHBS. I will be buying one soon and these have welded ports for less money than the Bayou classic pots. 15 gallon is $180 with valve and thermometer.

http://www.txbrewing.com/

 

[KIRBREW]

Would anyone with 10 gallon mash tun mind telling me how much grain it hold?

 

[jbaysurfer]

Would anyone with 10 gallon mash tun mind telling me how much grain it hold?

Depends on your H20 to Grain ratio. and whether you have to compensate for deadspace below the false bottom For mine at 1.25Q per lb, adjusted for zero dead space in the mash tun I can do up to 23lbs.