Can I rehab this Aluminum Pot?

[bondra76]

Considering getting this pot that is 60 quarts for possibly under $50 and maybe even under $25.

This is the only photo I've got - is it possible to rehab this thing into a BIAB kettle?

 

[sparkshooter]

When you can easily get a new one for $60 all in from here (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PZ7K7A/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20), it'd have to be the right price to make cleaning it up worthwhile.

And you could probably get one even cheaper than the link - that was just the first result on amazon.

 

[Weezy]

Surely. Anything upstream of the boil doesn't need to be saniatry or pretty, just cleaned.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Sure you can! For the right price I would buy it. I bought a 20 gallon aluminum pot that looked about like that, I scrubbed and finally wet sanded it with some wet / dry paper that I had on hand, and cleaned it up pretty nice. But if you have to start spending money on the rehab you might want to think twice. Aluminum is soft metal and refinishes easily.

The right price is the tough question, and one that depends on your finances, DIY skills, and available time, when considering new aluminum is $60, and new stainless with a lid is $95.

 

[Flboy]

Soak hot water and vinegar, amazing what it will pull off.

 

[bondra76]

Thanks all. I actually ended up getting an 80 quart pot, with lid, off auction for $60

Going to see how well I can turn this thing out. For doing 5 gallon batches, this things going to be massive but hoping to have some great BIAB brews in here.

 

[augiedoggy]

I dont know how much of a factor this really is but its my understanding that once it developes the oxidized coating after brewing the first batch you dont want to remove it because it protects the wort from picking up off flavors from the metals in the aluminum...

 

[jcarey88]

I bought some really cheap Aluminum kitchen cleaner that works wonders on my brew kettle. The company is Siege.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LNQJRY/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

It's cheaper other places...

 

[zachattack]

I bought some really cheap Aluminum kitchen cleaner that works wonders on my brew kettle. The company is Siege.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LNQJRY/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

It's cheaper other places...

As mentioned above, you don't want your aluminum kettle to be shiny. It should develop a brownish oxide layer that will protect against the aluminum corroding into your wort. You want to boil with plain water to build up that layer, then clean it gently so you don't disturb it and have to repeat the boiling procedure again.

 

[insanim8er]

Soak it in a starsan solution for a day, it'll come out clean looking. Back when I had an aluminum pot, I soaked some things in it with starsan. I left it in over night and the whole inside looked brand new again.

 

[jcarey88]

As mentioned above, you don't want your aluminum kettle to be shiny. It should develop a brownish oxide layer that will protect against the aluminum corroding into your wort. You want to boil with plain water to build up that layer, then clean it gently so you don't disturb it and have to repeat the boiling procedure again.

I don't clean until it shines, it removes boil over and stuck malt proteins with ease, and cleans up the char from the burner pretty well. Just trying to give my two cents...

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