Brew Pot

[truckinusa]

What should I spend/use for a brew pot. I'm just starting out. I've seen more advanced ones with ball valves and temperature gauges. I'm not sure if this is necessary?

 

[ThreeTaps]

I went to Target, they have a nice stainless steel one for about $44 that holds just under 5 gallons. If you're doing extract brewing (which you probably are), then you're only boiling 2.5 gallons, so it's perfect.

Just don't get alluminum. Also I hear the ceramic ones aren't that great since you have to use wood/plastic stir spoons, which can absorb flavors.

 

[phatuna]

Welcome, I would recommend something like this Amazon.com: Bayou Classic 3066A 30-Quart Outdoor Turkey Fryer Kit: Home & Garden

It will allow you to do full 5 gallon boils and get you out of the kitchen.

You could also buy a used keg and convert it to a keggle. If you've got the tools, retrofitting an old keg is a great way to go. search around here and youtube for keggle if you are interested in that route.

 

[whalenutz]

find a keg on cl and get some bmc for your welder and you both will be happy

 

[truckinusa]

Is the 16qt pot enought from Target? I'm just thinking its just a pot right? Then I see a pot like this: 8g BEER HOMEBREW KETTLE STOCK POT w/ WELDED FITTINGS - eBay (item 300334705753 end time Aug-30-09 13:40:12 PDT)

What is BMC?

 

[phatuna]

Aluminum vs. stainless is a much heated debate. Plenty of people use aluminum and brew good beer.

 

[Synovia]

Just don't get alluminum. \

And why shouldn't he get aluminum?

It works fine for plenty of us.

That, and you can get a 36qt aluminum pot for $20.

 

[truckinusa]

Where do you get these humungous aluminum ones for $20? I'm not starting a debate, but doesn't aluminum kinda have that black oxidation in it if it gets wet?

 

[Synovia]

Where do you get these humungous aluminum ones for $20? I'm not starting a debate, but doesn't aluminum kinda have that black oxidation in it if it gets wet?

When I finish brewing, I fill my aluminum pot up with water and leave it on the porch. I empty it in a couple of days, and refill it. Its clean by the time I brew next. No black stuff.


In the past couple of days I've seen a 32 qt aluminum Tamale/Steamer pot at walmart for $19.99, and a 34 qt steamer at Menards for $24.

 

[KYB]

I ordered a 6gal and 8gal aluminum stock pots for about $52 shipped for both from Restaurant Equipment, Supply & Restaurant Supplies | Instawares . Free shipping over $50. Aluminum seems to work just fine for me.

 

[phatuna]

Yes, if you want to read some more about it, you can do so here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/faq-aluminum-pots-boil-kettles-49449/

 

[mr_clean]

When I finish brewing, I fill my aluminum pot up with water and leave it on the porch. I empty it in a couple of days, and refill it. Its clean by the time I brew next. No black stuff.


In the past couple of days I've seen a 32 qt aluminum Tamale/Steamer pot at walmart for $19.99, and a 34 qt steamer at Menards for $24.

In the aluminum VS. SS it says you want the blackness @ the bottom.Do you want it or no?

 

[hal2814]

I bought two enamelware 40Qt. pots from Wal-Mart about 5 years ago for $25 each. Since I heard enamelware didn't last long, I got the second one for when the first one failed. The first one is still holding up nicely.

 

[Trooper-Orange]

Welcome, I would recommend something like this Amazon.com: Bayou Classic 3066A 30-Quart Outdoor Turkey Fryer Kit: Home & Garden

It will allow you to do full 5 gallon boils and get you out of the kitchen.

You could also buy a used keg and convert it to a keggle. If you've got the tools, retrofitting an old keg is a great way to go. search around here and youtube for keggle if you are interested in that route.

I second this. I am still very new, however decided to take this route. It is fairly cheap, you can do a full boil, and it will get that 5 gallons to a boil pretty quick.

So cheap, full boil, fast .... don't know what more you could want. Unless aluminum makes you super paranoid.

 

[pretzelb]

I'm new and my first pot is aluminum. One caution I would have for others is double check on cleaning methods. I used a little Bar Keeper's Friend recently and I just read it's not good for aluminum!

/edit
Turns out that supposedly I have a stainless steel pot . I ordered from MoreBeer and checked my account and they say I ordered the economy stainless steel pot. I'm not sure that is true though. It's insanely light and does get spots on it if I don't dry it.

 

[springer]

Where do you get these humungous aluminum ones for $20? I'm not starting a debate, but doesn't aluminum kinda have that black oxidation in it if it gets wet?

the oxide layer coats the aluminum and keeps anything you cook/boil in it from attacking it.

In the aluminum VS. SS it says you want the blackness @ the bottom.Do you want it or no?

Yes you want the oxide layer. The myth about aluminum being bad for you has been debunked time and time again.

I'm new and my first pot is aluminum. One caution I would have for others is double check on cleaning methods. I used a little Bar Keeper's Friend recently and I just read it's not good for aluminum!

Never use anything like brillo or caustic cleaners on an aluminum pot just a sponge and soap.

 

[Trooper-Orange]

I just clean mine with some non-scented dish detergent. The sanitation happens when the thing gets to a boil.

At least I hope, because I don't sanitize it. I clean it, then start brewing, get it to a good boil and go from there.

 

[zman]

Just go balls out and get a Boilermaker :rockin:

 

[Synovia]

In the aluminum VS. SS it says you want the blackness @ the bottom.Do you want it or no?

It says you want an oxide layer. In most cases, Oxide Layer simply means darker, not black.

 

[truckinusa]

Just go balls out and get a Boilermaker :rockin:

You got me on that one. What is a boilermaker?(I'm familiar with the Boilermakers Union?)

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

Here is my .02 on the topic.

http://blogs.homebrewtalk.com/Boerderij_Kabouter/Boerderij_Kabouters_Start_Kit_Suggestions/

 

[Joker]

My vote
beer keg

Cut the top out of it and never worry about a boil over and put the Alum vs Stainless debate to rest.

You will need a coil chiller and you will have to siphon the wort out until you can get some more pieces but I wish I would have gone this route first.

 

[rico567]

If cost is a major consideration, it appears that you can get started with aluminum on the cheap. If you insist on SS (which is what I wanted), look around for sales. I got a 30 qt. Proctor-Silex SS pot w/ lid on sale for $40 delivered. It's been a great pot for the two years I've been brewing. I've always done full boils, and not only was the 7.5 gal plenty large to handle 5 gal. extract batches on the kitchen cooktop, but it also handles 6.5 gal. boils over my propane burner in the garage, now I've gone AG (I use Fermcap-S to prevent boilovers, which works marvelously well).
Keep in mind that this is NOT like a heavy Polarware or Blichmann pot, but it also costs only a small fraction of what they'll run you. There are going to be people on this and other forums who will tell you that a 7.5 gal. pot isn't big enough for full 5 gal. boils.....but I do it, and it works just fine for me.

 

[DNW]

What is a boilermaker?

Brew Kettles - Equipment
Look about halfway down the page.

 

[TheMan]

Whatever you get, be sure it's something you can do full boils in. If you buy a smaller you will just end up upgrading and having an extra pot lying around. I say the 7.5 gal or a ten gal. Aluminum or SS is your choice.

 

[trailblazer]

i got a 8 gallon aluminum pot from target for 22$ out the door, drilled a 7/8" hole in it and put a weldless ball valve on it. total was about 55$ and i can pour it strait into my fermenter without having to lift 5 gallons. works great.

 

[FireNightFly]

5gal Stainless Steal Pot = $20 at Big Lots
Its pretty nice ... comes with a see through lid.

 

[trailblazer]

i work at big lots, i have that one to. its pretty nice but i only bought it to use for all grain batch sparging when i get their.

 

[springer]

Whatever you get, be sure it's something you can do full boils in. If you buy a smaller you will just end up upgrading and having an extra pot lying around. I say the 7.5 gal or a ten gal. Aluminum or SS is your choice.

Meh 30 gallon or stay home

thats a 50 ft 1/2 inch IC in there I had to extend the feed and exit piping.

 

[JVD_X]

5 Gallons is useless. You need at least 10 gallons if you want to avoid an upgrade later. If you are boiling on a stove I would go with AL over SS anyday. They heat up and chill a lot faster.

AL gets a bad wrap for no good reason and you can get one a lot cheaper than in SS.

Update International makes a great 10 gallon one you can buy from Kitchen Supply Direct - search string is "370-APT-40HD" for $58 plus shipping.

This model does not include cover which I would recommend as well.

 

[coryforsenate]

I use a 10 gallon heavy duty thick-walled aluminum pot from a restaurant supply store. Cost me $45, including tax.


For those that live near restaurant supply stores, visit them. They have better equipment at better prices than most other places.

 

[HSM]

Lots of different opinions here. I do full boils in an 8 gallon aluminum pot I bought online at a resturant supply house. Much cheaper than stainless and gets the job done.

I still have my old 6 gallon stainless pot from my extract days and it comes in handy to heat strike/sparge water with my heatstick.

 

[sims_l22]

I purchased a 7 Gallon Brew Kettle at Austin Brew Supply for around $55.00 including shipping. I think that was a good deal considering most go for $70-$80 dollars.

 

[rking]

This is what I am starting with...

40 QT Covered Aluminum Stock POT w/ Steamer Basket

5 all grain batches so far and absolutely no complaints!

 

[Sedge]

I'm starting out and just ordered this 5 gallon stainless kettle from NB. 5 Gallon Stainless Kettle

 

[truckinusa]

This is what I am starting with...

40 QT Covered Aluminum Stock POT w/ Steamer Basket

5 all grain batches so far and absolutely no complaints!

add the code "tenoff" at checkout and you get a free set of shot glasses too if you add them to the cart!($10 off $50) :rockin:

 

[Cheaton]

I just wanted to throw this into the aluminum debate. There are thoughts that aluminum use could be linked to Alzheimer's disease. Though highly debated and still very unproven there are many scientists who believe there could be a link. Heating up metals with liquid almost guarantees you're going to increase the amount of those metals leeched into your solution. I for one will never use aluminum for any cooking applications.

Aluminium and Alzheimer's disease - Alzheimer's Society

 

[LandofOZ]

i use aluminium,??? now what were we talking about

 

[Cheaton]

HAHA! :rockin: Rock on man. They've yet to prove a link, but it worries me enough to keep me away from it. I jsut wanted to make sure the information was presented here

 

[BillTheSlink]

My $.02

I started with a 7 gallon stainless steel. When I moved to all grain I had to buy another 10 gallon pot and went aluminum. I wish I just had gotten the 10 gallon aluminum to start with. It is a heave duty one from Restockit.com ( Or restock-it.com cant remember how that was spelled). It heats faster and is lighter and was easier to clean with just mild soap and I could really get my boils churning without boil over. You will be much happier if you do full boils and don't have to worry about boil over, so do yourself a favor and get a ten gallon aluminum pot.