Can you use new pots for other stuff?

[HiBobM]

I'm beginning to select my equipment to begin brewing! But I had a question on the brew pot. I know I want at least an 8 gallon, but thought about going bigger so I could use it for other stuff as well. Maybe a shrimp boil, a huge pot of chili, or even frying a turkey.
Is this a good idea or should a brew pot just be a brew pot?

 

[PADave]

You can use a stainless pot for anything. Go 10 gal min. 8 is going to have its limitations.

 

[hedgie57]

I'd use it for other stuff. Just clean it well before brewing

 

[V-Fib]

Go 10 gal, with 8 boil over will be can be an issue for 5 gal recipes. Just clean good in between and all should be fine.

 

[ChelisHubby]

X3 on the 10 gallon!

 

[Funkychef]

I use my 8gallon ss brew pot for cooking occasionally, when cooking a large amount of home made pasta or making a load of stocks. And its fine for 5gal biab batches but would not brew any bigger than that as its at its limits for mashing.

 

[seatazzz]

If there is a Costco near you they sell a nice 12 gallon kettle (heavy aluminum) for about $60. I do get small boilovers with it but I go bigger on my sparge because I haven't quite mastered my burner yet.