Blichmann vs el cheapo SS

[GeorgiaTiger]

When I can get a 10 gallon SS boil pot for 200-250 cheaper buying an off brand, can you convince me why I should drop the big money in a blichman? Besides that mirror finish, what is the major differences? Will it make a difference in my brew? Convince me by telling me WHY. I should spend the extra. Please do..I really want a blichman but can't justify it.

 

[woo_pig]

I belive theyy are better. But i cant see paying that much for there kettles. They do have great other equipment.

 

[brick_haus]

No reason to do so unless you want the sight glass, dip tube, thermometer. I have/had all varieties of manufactured kettles, including Blichmann, and can only say that size and accessories are the only considerations.
Personally I prefer welded fittings, but neither of my weldless Blichmanns have ever leaked.

 

[augiedoggy]

I bought bayou kettles and added the sight glasses,dip tubes and fitting to them...

theres a couple reasons I did not buy expensive kettles myself besides cost and budget.

1, they get scratched up even though I brew with electric and a heavy kettle would be pointless the kettles still have to be moved a round to be cleaned and for me to dump my waste grain and they that Chinese hand polished finish that the blichmann kettles have would look terrible all scratched up... I am not as ocd and meticulous to prevent this from occurring. (The stout kettles have the same nice polished finish which is easier to keep clean though)

2, In the end they are still just a chinese made kettle. They still have been reported to have the same spot rusting contamination issues from time to time telling me theres nothing special about the stainless used in their construction.. Even if they are better build quality, (which they are than many options) they are not 3 times better and I would not realize any added value from them in my brewing configuration.. If I had my dream setup with the brewery all blinged out in a bar environment and entertained there then yeah I'd consider something on par with the blichmann kettles... Id still likely go with spike first.

 

[kh54s10]

I bought 2 ten gallon stainless steel pots through craigslist. They are very heavy duty, probably just as heavy as a Blichmann. I added weldless valves, a thermometer and sightglass to the HLT. The two cost $100. I do think I got lucky. They are not quite as shiny but quite serviceable.

So I cannot convince you to go for the bling. I would say, DO NOT go too El Cheapo though.

 

[day_trippr]

If one is looking for a bright finish, unlike the lovely G1 kettles, I don't think the G2 Blichmann kettles are polished...

Cheers!

 

[jekeane]

Buy a used Blichmann? I have two 10 gallon Blichmann kettles that I found on Craigslist for 125 each.

After using many different mash tuns and false bottoms I do believe the Blichmann is the best I have used.