Boil Kettle Economy or Heavy?

[Polyphaeon]

I am going to get a 10Gallon stainless steel HLT/boil Kettle (I have a keggle for bigger batches). It seems there are 2 main parameters when considering the pots available.

1) Weight. Thickness of the walls and build of the bottom. I was ready to spend the money but after doing to reading and some logic-ing I am not convinced that a big thick pot actually matters with all grain. Things should be moving around enough that scorching shouldn't be a problem. Let me know if I am missing anything.

2) Width:Height ratio. Tuna cans = more boil off (which you just take into consideration) but also tuna cans = better cones after whirlpooling. Is there anything else? I've measured some of the spots where I normally have my kettle and some of these are so wide it is awkward. Again, am I missing something?

Thanks!

 

[NewJersey]

i have two pots exactly like this and one is thicker and better quality stainless (with the ball valve and thermometer) and the other is cheaper and thinner that i boil in.
the thinness will 110% bother and the lid of the cheaper one has been getting the tiniest bit of surface rust spots. it also kinda flexes and makes odd noises as it gets up to temp and you can feel the thinness when you actually pick it up with anything in it.... in short just get nicer pots, it's actual worth it.
with that said, I now have three ss kegs that I'm going to work on getting done soon. i will then brew 5 or 10 gallon batches in them and likely sell off the other 2 pots to someone looking to get into the hobby

 

[Polyphaeon]

NewJersey, thank you for your response. I had not thought about the creepy sounds you can get - especially I expect when having such a wide pot on my stove top with its small burners. What do you mean the thin one will %110 bother? I suppose really cheap pots may be so low grade that you get some pitting.

I am still not sure about parting with the necessary money. No offence but seems that these worries are somewhat superficial. Is it just for piece of mind?

 

[peterj]

Go aluminum. Lightweight, cheap, and better conductivity.

EDIT: Here's the one I have: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CHKL68/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Polyphaeon]

peterj, I can't really find any problems with aluminium, it just feels so wrong to put stainless steel ball valves into it...