Best bang for the buck kettle?

[evilhomer]

I've seen the threads talking about finding the cheapest pot possible. In other threads there's always someone who suggests getting a $300 one. I saw a boilermaker in person recently, they are pretty nice.

So what kettle get's you the most on a budget, maybe in the $50-150 range?

If I want to drive an hour, I got a guy who will sell me a uncut keg for $45. I'm sure if I wait long enough I could find one locally.

 

[BendBrewer]

Best bang for the buck is a keggle. Even a cheap aluminum 15 gallon pot will run you 75 bucks.

 

[Patirck]

To each they're own but I tried the keggle route and didn't like it. They are heavy - seem to take a while to heat up and harder to clean than a smooth pot. I recently got a 7.5 gallon SS pot with a valve and thermometer for $80 used. It works great and it much easier to set up and take down than the keggle. If you shop online you can find stuff in your price range. If you don't mind alluminium, you can get stuff much cheaper. You didn't say what size your looking for but if I had to do it over again I would get a 10 gallon pot for the 5 gallon batches I do. Check out tamale steamer pots (they are aluminium) as they have a built in false bottom. You can get weldless fitting kits for pretty cheap from bargain fittings so you only have to have a drill and file to add stuff to a regular pot.

 

[Hex]

http://www.cozydays.com/home-garden/cookware/stockpot-lid-44-qt-stainless-steel-1195.html

 

[Hex]

http://brewhemoth.com/penrose-kettle

 

[tomasej]

I have been looking at austinhomebrew. They have a 61qt Premium Stock Pot that I have my eye on for $142.99. I already have the valve and sightglass so I'm looking at making one of these my own. I like them because they are short so it will take up less room vertically on my Top Tier. I am myself vertically challenged so this is a plus for me!

 

[evilhomer]

The penrose looks pretty beastly.

 

[-TPM-]

Yeah that penrose looks nice! It's probably a good thing they're out of stock ATM otherwise I'd be getting in trouble with my SWMBO...

 

[iparks81]

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/60-qt-heavy-duty-stainless-steel-stockpot-with-cover/922SSPOT60.html

$135.00 Ive got one myself...I love it!! big thick bottom and thick sides...

 

[captainL]

If you are a sams club member I just ordered a 60qt aluminum for $53 total, tax and shipping included. I'll let you know how it is when I get it.

 

[ImperialLover]

http://cgi.ebay.com/DISCOUNTED-230q...=320647598626&ps=63&clkid=6877107396195495479

$150.00 shipped for a 230qt/57 gallon stainless steel pot. I bought x3 of the 180qt/45 gallon pot for $198 shipped. Lets be real, they are scratch and dent, from china, etc.. Take the stickers off of them, and you've got a 1-1.5BBL :rockin:brewery started for the price of a 10gallon... Hope it helps.

 

[Sheldon]

I have a great 40 qt ss brew pot. how difficult is it to cut holes for a valve and thermometer? Being that the vessel is round, seesm like it may not be something a simpleton like me can handle.

 

[gunner65]

Check out the Bayou classic stainless on amazon. Pretty much any size you want come with a properly fitted lid and you can add the perforated basket for BIAB if you so choose. Then head over to bargainfittings.com and buy as many of the weldless fittings as you need for valve, sight glass, thermo, etc.

 

[ImperialLover]

It's not brother. Just check out youtube. there's videos all over the place on exactly how to do everything.

 

[jmick]

If you are a sams club member I just ordered a 60qt aluminum for $53 total, tax and shipping included. I'll let you know how it is when I get it.

This is what I use. I think it's a great kettle, and a lot cheaper than SS.

 

[wilserbrewer]

This 40 qt aluminum pot seems like a pretty good value for only $37.85 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Thunder-Group-A...335?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a623ddbef

 

[patrck17]

Wow 57 gallon brewpot, thats pretty damn big. Must resist the urge to purchase. I imagine you can take that thing and modify it into a fermenter too if you want to.

 

[Ice9]

This 40 qt aluminum pot seems like a pretty good value for only $37.85 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Thunder-Group-A...335?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a623ddbef

Sam's Club sells these online too. I just bought one with lid for around $42 a few weeks back. It's a really nice heavy pot.

 

[ImperialLover]

Wow 57 gallon brewpot, thats pretty damn big. Must resist the urge to purchase. I imagine you can take that thing and modify it into a fermenter too if you want to.

I'm sure you could, but i haven't tried it.. Thought for the future though!

 

[oskee]

I have a great 40 qt ss brew pot. how difficult is it to cut holes for a valve and thermometer? Being that the vessel is round, seesm like it may not be something a simpleton like me can handle.

Invest in a good step drill. I got mine off of amazon and drilling is a breeze.

 

[Malticulous]

http://www.instawares.com/winco-aluminum-precision-stock.wdi-alhp100.0.7.htm
It's hard to beat the bang per buck of a good aluminum pot. It's easy to drill too.

 

[beeton]

Doesn't look like 230 quart sitting on the counter.

 

[Malticulous]

55 gallon stainless barrels can be found used. I've seen pics around here of them being used as kettles.

 

[FoReel]

http://cgi.ebay.com/DISCOUNTED-230q...=320647598626&ps=63&clkid=6877107396195495479

$150.00 shipped for a 230qt/57 gallon stainless steel pot. I bought x3 of the 180qt/45 gallon pot for $198 shipped. Lets be real, they are scratch and dent, from china, etc.. Take the stickers off of them, and you've got a 1-1.5BBL :rockin:brewery started for the price of a 10gallon... Hope it helps.

I don't know if anyone has or knows what a 55 gal. drum looks like ... but that pot shown ain't even close to 57 gallons ... nor does that counter look bigger than the 28" diameter of the pot ...What am I missing????

 

[wilserbrewer]

...What am I missing????

I think what you are missing is that the retailer is Chinese and the photos don't match the descriptions...word i have heard is that the inexpensive pots are as "described", and a decent pot for the money??? That photo has been used for a variety of pots. You are correct, a small family could fit in a 57 gallon pot, that's gigantic.

 

[ImperialLover]

The pots are chinese, and scratch and dent stock; whether they say they're new or not. However, the sizes are real. Like I said, i bought the 45 gal pot and it's damn huge. It also looks just like the one on the counter. I can get both of my kids (Sitting down) in that pot. It's not the prettiest, but it definitely gets the job done. And, I spent less on three pots than I did on one blichman of comparable size..

 

[ImperialLover]

And I'm not the seller, nor do I know the seller. Just thought it was a good deal I would share.

 

[Yong]

To each they're own but I tried the keggle route and didn't like it. They are heavy - seem to take a while to heat up and harder to clean than a smooth pot. I recently got a 7.5 gallon SS pot with a valve and thermometer for $80 used. It works great and it much easier to set up and take down than the keggle. If you shop online you can find stuff in your price range. If you don't mind alluminium, you can get stuff much cheaper. You didn't say what size your looking for but if I had to do it over again I would get a 10 gallon pot for the 5 gallon batches I do. Check out tamale steamer pots (they are aluminium) as they have a built in false bottom. You can get weldless fitting kits for pretty cheap from bargain fittings so you only have to have a drill and file to add stuff to a regular pot.

Patrick - can i have your reason why you want a 10 gallon pot? I am going to buy a 7.5 gallon kettle for partial 5 gallon brewing too.

 

[evilhomer]

I do 5 gallon batches in a 7.5 and you have to watch it like a hawk the whole time with the spray bottle nearby. I plan on sticking with 5 gallon batches and think a 10 would work much better.

You could always boil less water in the 7.5 and plan to top off but I would prefer to not use any top off water.

 

[Yong]

thanks - the instructions from many brewing store use top off approach. do i get a significantly better beer if i don't top off? I can see why you prefer 10 gallon pot if you don't top off.