Best kettle w Ball Valve/Thermometer

[DefinitelyJon]

I've been looking around at different kettles online. Right now I'm using an aluminum 10 gal kettle thats been alright but It'd be cool to have something stainless with more stuff added. Any recommendations would be awesomeeeee

 

[bmorosco]

Stainless is a must! I brewed a couple of batches when I first started way back when had some off favors then I read and read and read so no more Aluminum. It will harm the wort by leaching compounds into it.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

I've brewed with aluminum without off flavors.. you just have to boil some water in there for a while to build up a protective oxidized layer.

 

[teddy4xp]

I have a 10 gallon with a valve, thermometer and sight glass from spike brewing, I love it

 

[DefinitelyJon]

Yeah I looked into spike the kettles looked pretty good. Ssbrewing has one that looks pretty awesome but it's round 240$ for a 10 gallon

 

[DefinitelyJon]

I haven't noticed any off flavors from it in my beers but I've heard of people mentioning that

 

[iBrewR]

Stainless is a must! I brewed a couple of batches when I first started way back when had some off favors then I read and read and read so no more Aluminum. It will harm the wort by leaching compounds into it.

Stainless is all about the bling, nothing to do with flavor.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

I use a 20 gallon concord ss pot.Very nice...and pretty cheap.I have no sight glass or ball valve and don't miss them a bit.If your looking to pay for the "cool" factor go for it,but totally unnecessary

 

[Nagorg]

SpikeBrewing really has the best bang for the buck IMHO. I've go two of their kettles and I cant say enough good about them.

 

[WI_Wino]

I have an adventures in homebrewing economy 15 gallon stainless steel kettle with two welds (one for ball valve and another for thermometer). Has worked great for me, no rusting issues. I've had it since this past winter.

 

[bmorosco]

Stainless is all about the bling, nothing to do with flavor.

I got off favors because it was a brand new kettle.

 

[brewkinger]

Since no one has asked..
How much you want to spend?

Also like above, SS is shiny but a well treated aluminum kettle makes identical beer.

FWIW: I paid $80 for my SS Bayou Classic and then added 3pc ball valve with diptube for additional $50.
Bobby at brewhardware.com has everything you need to get it done including videos and hardware needed.

You can find similar online for slightly more.

 

[DefinitelyJon]

The concord kettles do look pretty good for how much they are. I wouldn't mind spending over 200$ for something if it looked like it was worth it. I'm thinking about moving to a 15 gallon too just in case I wanna do 10 gallon batches later on

 

[brew703]

Check out Colorado Brewing.
http://www.cobrewingsystems.com/products/brew-kettle
You also get a 10% discount for being a member on HBT

 

[Nagorg]

Check out Colorado Brewing.
http://www.cobrewingsystems.com/products/brew-kettle
You also get a 10% discount for being a member on HBT

Interesting find there... I have to say that their kettles look just like the ones from SpikeBrewing though they do sell more than that. Their pricing seems comparable too. But they dont mention the gauge anywhere that I can find.

One plus for Colorado brewing is the option for sanitary fittings. If I hadn't already invested in cam-lock, I'd go TC for sure. I may eventually switch but that's honestly very low on my brewery upgrade list right now.

 

[bmorosco]

Since no one has asked..
How much you want to spend?

Also like above, SS is shiny but a well treated aluminum kettle makes identical beer.

FWIW: I paid $80 for my SS Bayou Classic and then added 3pc ball valve with diptube for additional $50.
Bobby at brewhardware.com has everything you need to get it done including videos and hardware needed.

You can find similar online for slightly more.

Have to disagree with Aluminum sorry but tried that and there is a very big difference . Whats "Well Treated" Guess it is just a personal preference if you want your beer to taste fantastic or mediocre ..lol!

 

[govner1]

I always recommend Update International SS pots. They are very well made & come w/ a tri-clad bottom.
Just add a SS weldless ball valve & Blichmann thermometer. I prefer the one that you can rotate. It's easier to see.

 

[Nagorg]

I always recommend Update International SS pots. They are very well made & come w/ a tri-clad bottom.
Just add a SS weldless ball valve & Blichmann thermometer. I prefer the one that you can rotate. It's easier to see.

To borrow a comment from CoBrewingSystem's blog:
"With welded kettles there are no leaks...ever. While many people have success forming a leak free seal with weldless kettles and pots, it only takes one small crack in a gasket or accidental loosening to ruin a brew day."

I personally agree with that statement and that's why I chose welded and recommend the same when asked. Weldless is a great option for converting a kettle that has no ports, unless you are a TIG welder. But if buying a kettle with valves and such in mind, weldled seems like an option thats well worth a lot of consideration.

 

[brewkinger]

Have to disagree with Aluminum sorry but tried that and there is a very big difference . Whats "Well Treated" Guess it is just a personal preference if you want your beer to taste fantastic or mediocre ..lol!

Your disagreement is duly noted.
Well treated aluminum kettle is one that has had oxidation layer inside by boiling plain water in the kettle.
Never scrub that layer off, which is where people go wrong.
Subsequent batches of beer further the process. This is how you treat any kettle "well"
Aluminum is lighter and more thermally conductive which means faster boils, not to mention CHEAPER.
If you are making fantastic beer in a SS kettle then I will assure you that the same thing can be done in aluminum.
I am sure that there are many aluminum kettle brewers that would strongly disagree with their beer being mediocre.

 

[brew703]

Interesting find there... I have to say that their kettles look just like the ones from SpikeBrewing though they do sell more than that. Their pricing seems comparable too. But they dont mention the gauge anywhere that I can find.

One plus for Colorado brewing is the option for sanitary fittings. If I hadn't already invested in cam-lock, I'd go TC for sure. I may eventually switch but that's honestly very low on my brewery upgrade list right now.

The kettles are 1mm or 1.1mm. I have the 10 gallon and ball valve. For my needs I am satisfied. I did like the Spike kettles but the Colorado kettles were a bit cheaper. I think Spikes kettles are 1.2mm vs 1.0 or 1.1 for Colorado.

 

[govner1]

First, you assume all welds are properly done. In any case, I've been using my pots for almost four years. Even w/ an annual disassembly for cleaning, I've never had a leak.

 

[brewkinger]

First, you assume all welds are properly done. In any case, I've been using my pots for almost four years. Even w/ an annual disassembly for cleaning, I've never had a leak.

Agreed.
Finding someone that knows how to do it properly means that they know what it is worth.
I prefer my weldless fitting any day for $30 instead of much more.

 

[bmorosco]

Thanks for the clarification..

 

[Sparge]

The concord kettles do look pretty good for how much they are. I wouldn't mind spending over 200$ for something if it looked like it was worth it. I'm thinking about moving to a 15 gallon too just in case I wanna do 10 gallon batches later on

If you are going to do 10 gallon, I'd go up to a 20 gallon kettle. I use a 15 gallon and on some of my brews, I'm trying to boil 14.5 gallons of wort in a 15 gallon pot! I like to do 90 minute boils, so I need a little extra room. I'm now looking for a 20 gallon to give me some room. I'm leaning towards the SSBrewing Technologies kettle.

 

[iBrewR]

[...] then I read and read and read so no more Aluminum. It will harm the wort by leaching compounds into it.

If you are making fantastic beer in a SS kettle then I will assure you that the same thing can be done in aluminum.

You'd think he would have read that.

 

[oujens]

Reading through this thread, I currently have a 9 gallon aluminum pot and no off-flavors from using aluminum. I am currently in the market for a larger pot to increase my boil volume and avoid boil overs for a 5 gallon batch. I would also like a ball valve for easier transfer to the fermentor, and volume markings would be helpful. I happened to stumble upon this:

http://www.txbrewing.com/15-gal-stainless-kettle-assy.html

It comes with welded ports, ball valve, thermometer and gallon markings for $180. I was previously keeping an eye on a Bayou Classic that had gallon markings and only a weldless ball valve for $120-140 on Amazon with free Prime shipping, but I think I want to pull the trigger on this kettle. Seems to be a good value unless there is something I should be concerned about.

 

[bmiller8]

Spike brewing is the way to go

 

[DefinitelyJon]

If you are going to do 10 gallon, I'd go up to a 20 gallon kettle. I use a 15 gallon and on some of my brews, I'm trying to boil 14.5 gallons of wort in a 15 gallon pot! I like to do 90 minute boils, so I need a little extra room. I'm now looking for a 20 gallon to give me some room. I'm leaning towards the SSBrewing Technologies kettle.[/QUOTE

Yeah that is a good point. I just know i might wanna switch up some batches to ten gallon later on. Yeah those SSbrewing kettles look nice!

 

[DefinitelyJon]

Reading through this thread, I currently have a 9 gallon aluminum pot and no off-flavors from using aluminum. I am currently in the market for a larger pot to increase my boil volume and avoid boil overs for a 5 gallon batch. I would also like a ball valve for easier transfer to the fermentor, and volume markings would be helpful. I happened to stumble upon this:

http://www.txbrewing.com/15-gal-stainless-kettle-assy.html

It comes with welded ports, ball valve, thermometer and gallon markings for $180. I was previously keeping an eye on a Bayou Classic that had gallon markings and only a weldless ball valve for $120-140 on Amazon with free Prime shipping, but I think I want to pull the trigger on this kettle. Seems to be a good value unless there is something I should be concerned about.

Damn that is cheap! I'm surprised I've never heard of that place before

 

[brew703]

TX brewing does not include free shipping like Colorado Brew and Spike so that should be taken into account. Shipping is probably an additional $20 or more.