Brew Kettle Problem?

[hsweeney7]

I have just done our first batch, bought a cheaper 4 gallon ss pot, it has a slightly raised base with 2 inches of edge actually flat. It took a total of 4 and 1/2 hours from start to finish and getting a good boil going seemed to take longer than expected. So, my question is if the pot we have is the problem? Would a completely flat bottom pot be better? Or, could our stove be the issue, it's a flat glass top electric, maybe not enough oomph?

 

[meddin]

Are you saying the base of your pot if raised up, like a dome? If the is the case it could be a combo of you pot and stovetop. Ceramic tops can be difficult to get a full boil going, and as muh contact with the bottom of the kettle as possible helps.

 

[Shaggyt]

Heat source issue would be your problem. Turkey fryer or gas stove...though with that size pot, a turkey fryer would either be overkill or super fast to boil...plus you can go to full boils with the pot included with the turkey fryer.

I have a 17K btu burner on my gas stove that I used for partial boils...wife hated that. Real easy move to the garage/driveway with the turkey fryer.

 

[DansBrew]

Before I got my fryer I had to use my electric stove, glass top. It took me over 45 mins to get the 1.5 gallons going to a boil, and everytime I would take the pot off to add extract, it would take 15 more mins to get going again... The fryer is the best way, but if youre stuck, I resorted to heavy duty aluminum foil, rolled into strips between the kettle, and the stove top, it transferred heat to the parts of the kettle that couldn't touch the stove. It definitely helped, but not a problem solver

 

[bf514921]

+1 on the turkey freyer, if you are worried about overkill, mad sure to turn it down, i would suggest a different pot. what is the wattage, or btu on your stove?

 

[hsweeney7]

So, got a different pot, from a winery that has some beer equipment and ingredients that he's trying to get rid of at sale prices. This is a nicer pot and 5 gallon instead of 4 but has a similar issue with the base not being all flat... got it because for $32, good price and better. may just use aluminum foil folded under the high spot, also got a turkey fryer base from parents, but prob. won't use it till the weather warms up a bit and is too warm to use the stove. This will be our second batch ever coming up later today, so will give it one more try on the stove!

 

[wilserbrewer]

Just a hunch, but I would think a flat bottom aluminum pot might heat quicker on an electric stove.