Bayou Classic Brew Kettle

[Riggs1]

I recently purchased a Bayou Classic 10 gallon kettle (#800-410). I am having trouble with the thermometer. I calibrated it if boiling water (distilled) and calibrated it spot on at 212 degrees. Then I did my brew and when I was bringing the temp up I checked the temp with a digital thermometer and it read 186 degrees, the wort was not boiling, and the Bayou thermometer showed 212. So, I brought the wort up to a boil and the Bayou thermometer was pegged at over 220 degrees. I emailed the company suggesting I received a bad thermometer and have never gotten a response back. Anyone else have any issues with their thermometer of contacting the company?

Also, does anyone know what size basket will fit into their 10 gallon kettle and not interfere with the thermometer (that doesn't work)? My kettle does have a false bottom and I have just started BIAB which is the reason I bought the Bayou Classic kettle.

Thank you.

 

[fivepointslow]

Just a FYI I have a thermometer that would show 215ish at first boil with water. It almost pegs at 220 with wort. Probably has something to do with the wort being able to raise the boiling point.

 

[ulnpiper]

Don't forget the change in boiling point temp based on elevation. Shawnee is about 1,080 feet. Makes boiling point more like 210F

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/boiling-points-water-altitude-d_1344.html

 

[BlackDog-Brewery]

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.

Hi TC,

I had another false bottom collapse on my 64qt 16g Bayou Classic kettle, model 1064.

The modification that had been working for awhile was to make a custom drain tube that also acted like a "jack stand" for the center of the screen. That was until yesterday when I must have been recirculating too quickly without using rice hulls and the whole bottom just warped and caved in.

Before I buy yet another false bottom, where you ever able to come up with a permanent solution by either modifying the standard screen or by purchasing a custom made screen for this kettle?

Cheers

 

[tc33133]

Hi TC,

I had another false bottom collapse on my 64qt 16g Bayou Classic kettle, model 1064.

The modification that had been working for awhile was to make a custom drain tube that also acted like a "jack stand" for the center of the screen. That was until yesterday when I must have been recirculating too quickly without using rice hulls and the whole bottom just warped and caved in.

Before I buy yet another false bottom, where you ever able to come up with a permanent solution by either modifying the standard screen or by purchasing a custom made screen for this kettle?

Cheers

I gave up on the stock false bottom, and bought a custom false bottom from NORCAL brewing solutions. It has been working great, and worth every penny.

 

[BlackDog-Brewery]

I gave up on the stock false bottom, and bought a custom false bottom from NORCAL brewing solutions. It has been working great, and worth every penny.

Thanks TC !

Appreciate the feedback.

Cheers

 

[Hello]

I gave up on the stock false bottom, and bought a custom false bottom from NORCAL brewing solutions. It has been working great, and worth every penny.

Thanks TC !

Appreciate the feedback.

Cheers

That is exactly what I said in the other thread you posted in. NorCal is your solution here.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=244700

 

[ruascott]

What are people's thoughts on this one?

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

 

[BlackDog-Brewery]

What are people's thoughts on this one?

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

I have that kettle and it's a great value. But it all depends on what your plans are for it.

- Good as an HLT

- Good as an MLT (as long as you buy the false bottom that fits on that rim shown at the bottom of the pic. The new false bottoms are stamped with something that resembles a "peace sign" that makes them more sturdy than there previous design.

- N/G as a BK. Go with the Bayou Classic kettle that has the cladded bottom if that's what you were planning on using this kettle for

Cheers

 

[ruascott]

I have that kettle and it's a great value. But it all depends on what your plans are for it.

- Good as an HLT

- Good as an MLT (as long as you buy the false bottom that fits on that rim shown at the bottom of the pic. The new false bottoms are stamped with something that resembles a "peace sign" that makes them more sturdy than there previous design.

- N/G as a BK. Go with the Bayou Classic kettle that has the cladded bottom if that's what you were planning on using this kettle for

Cheers

I was going to use this for BIAB, so yeah was gonna be a BK.

Read a lot of good reviews on Amazon...why do you say no go?

I do BIAB now in a 7.5g turkey fryer alum kettle. Has to be better than that, no? I wanted something that would work for a now, but also be a good piece for using while upgrading to a multi kettle system in future, if I decide to.

 

[cvbjjk]

Their site says coming soon, but has anyone seen or bought one yet or are they still waiting for release? They look awesome!

 

[JohnnyBrewGood]

What are people's thoughts on this one?

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

I own this kettle and I am not super happy with it.

It has a SUPER thin bottom. Its thin all around really. The kettle walls bend when you open the valve. Wish I bought a better kettle. Price is right, but you get what you pay for.

I use it to BIAB too.

Oh! the day I opened the box I wanted to do a practice boil to see how long it took to get to temps. I put in 8 gallons and fired it up. Next day there was several rust spots on it, in it. Mostly on the bottom on the inside. I did leave the water in the kettle overnight but I could not believe the amount of rust.

It rusts every time I use it.

 

[chris0879]

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

5 years using this as a BK no issues. Bought a valve and thermometer. Great value holding up to a lot of use.

 

[BlackDog-Brewery]

Read a lot of good reviews on Amazon...why do you say "no good" as a BK?

Hi Ruascott,

What I meant by saying "N/G" for this kettle to be used as a BK . . . It' just not the best choice (even for the BIAB) compared to Bayou Classic's other 16 gallon kettle that has the Tri-Ply bottom.

I found the cladded bottom definitely to be a "plus" because the heat is more evenly distributed, during the boil, and I never get any scorching / burnt sugars from the wort even when I fire the kettle with my 100,000btu Bayou Burner.

Plus the bottom is much more sturdy than their regular kettles that just have a stainless steel bottom that I use for my HLT and MLT which may dent more easily.

Amazon has the tri-ply kettle which includes the thermometer, 1/2" ball valve, bazooka (which is still valuable even with BIAB to help keep the hot break crap out of your fermenter ). About the only other thing it comes with that you don't need is the false bottom, all priced for $225 / free shipping.

BUT . . . . Even though you don't need the false bottom it still works great for clams, steamers, lobsters, etc !

http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-800-416-Gallon-Stainless/dp/B0082X3D06

Cheers !

 

[ruascott]

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

5 years using this as a BK no issues. Bought a valve and thermometer. Great value holding up to a lot of use.

Think that's the same as the 1064, without the spigot

I may try it out. With a heat diffusor, being $100 cheaper. If I don't love it I'll use it for a MLT in the future.

 

[chris0879]

It's a great kettle can't complain. Bought a step bit from harbor freight for $7 to drill the holes. View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1457269461.549129.jpg