I'm having trouble justifying buying a ten gallon stock pot for eighty big ones. Looked around in the selling section, and on ebay, and on craigslist, and still no luck. Does anyone have any recommendations? The only thing I can think of is going with aluminum, but I was told that the acidity of the brew can conflict with the aluminum.
Cheap stock pots anywhere?
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Aluminum is great for brewing. Heats and cools quickly, lightweight, easy to drill, recommended not to thoroughly clean them, and very affordable. Just boil water in it for 30-45 mins before the first use to create the gray passive oxide layer. Don't scrub that off (just wipe clean with a sponge and water) and it should last a lifetime. Amazon has a 40qt aluminum pot for under $40 last I checked.
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Aluminum is fine. That's what I use.
Northern Brewer has a deal going right now too. Spend $100 and get a free 5g ss kettle. I think it ends today though...
Northern Brewer has a deal going right now too. Spend $100 and get a free 5g ss kettle. I think it ends today though...
Just don't scrub the hell out of it, and it'll last forever. I use an 8g turkey fryer setup. I like to brew outside. In the sun, or in the snow. Doesn't matter. I'm drunk anyways...
freisste
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+1.
When I said special care, I didn't mean anything really special. You just have to be sure not to scrub it til it shines. A good wipe and rinse is all you need. As was mentioned, boil first to create the passive oxide layer.
The oxide layer protects the bare metal. If you have bare aluminum, you may get some off flavors from it.
So I don't need to redo the oxide layer again unless bare metal starts showing then?
Sounds like a better deal than S.S., really.
freisste
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Right. As long as you don't scrub it until it shines, don't worry about it. Lots of people use aluminum with no issue.
dkevinb
Well-Known Member
I use a cheap aluminum tamale steamer I bought at Target. It works fine. As they said, boil some water in it before you use it the first time and that's it.
I am using these pots: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...1.A0.Xjarhill&_nkw=jarhill&_sacat=0&_from=R40
They are thin-gauge and very light. They are also magnetic, which is nice if you want to use induction heating. I had to solder at the handle rivets. One had a very small hole that I was able to fix with lead-free solder as well. If none of this scares you, you might give them a try. The price is very good.
They are thin-gauge and very light. They are also magnetic, which is nice if you want to use induction heating. I had to solder at the handle rivets. One had a very small hole that I was able to fix with lead-free solder as well. If none of this scares you, you might give them a try. The price is very good.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001PZBEKE/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
This is what I think I'll go with. Really good reviews, mostly from other brewers. Any objections or things I should be aware of?
This is what I think I'll go with. Really good reviews, mostly from other brewers. Any objections or things I should be aware of?
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Good price for a 10G pot. Just do the boil water bit to get that oxide layer going & it'll work. I started brewing 1/11 & found that during that time,canning supplies are cheap. I got 4 nested,polished stainless steel stock pots with steamer trays & lids for about $25. I use the 5 gallon one for a BK/MT & one of the smaller ones for heating sparge water.
djfriesen
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This is ok, but you could probably beat that price at a local place. Around here we have a restaurant supply store called cash and carry. They have a pot that size, for that base price, and I can walk out the door with it. I also don't have to pay shipping. You likely don't have the same store where you are, but you might have something similar. The local restaurants probably buy from somewhere locally, right?
Tl;dr that pot will work but I bet you can get it cheaper.
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Walzenbrew
Well-Known Member
I have had great success with wholesale restaurant stores, the ones that usually sell straight to restaurants. I found one in Chinatown an scored a sweet pot for cheap.
Craigslist can be good, but like you probably imagined it is very hit or miss-
Mainly a waiting game.
Craigslist can be good, but like you probably imagined it is very hit or miss-
Mainly a waiting game.
How about an outlet mall? Nearly all of them have a kitchenware store or two that sell both ss and aluminum pots, and often have scratch and dent on clearance for even cheaper. Just another option that might be available to you.
The real question is, do you want to spend 20/25$ 2 or 3 times before you get something good... I went that way and end up spending 99 on one that I like, if I would have done that from the get go I would have 2 kettle that I like now... just saying...
I couldn't be happier with my $30 aluminum pot. Honestly I can't think of a good reason why I would buy something more expensive.
BamaPhil
Well-Known Member
+1 to the tamale steamer. It was actually only $22 at my local Target.
I kinda wish I had a 10 gallon but so far I haven't had any trouble just having 8.
aryoung1980
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I'm able to do 5.5 gallon batches with the exact same kettle. I agree that the 10 would be nice so I had a bit of room. However, I'm extremely happy with the Target tamale steamer as a brew pot. Plus drilling the hole for my ball valve was super simple since it's aluminum.
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You could check Lowes. I saw an aluminum 10 gal with lid and insert (BIAB) for $50 and you are almost that without the lid
wilserbrewer
BIAB Expert Tailor
http://www.walmart.com/ip/IMUSA-Tamale-and-Seafood-32-Quart-Steamer/13370045
8 gallons is a touch small for 5 gal batches, but if you are careful it will work fine.
Only $22, hard to go wrong at that price w/ a lid!
8 gallons is a touch small for 5 gal batches, but if you are careful it will work fine.
Only $22, hard to go wrong at that price w/ a lid!
MichaelBrock
Well-Known Member
You would have to seriously abuse an aluminum pot to need to replace it and if you're that rough on it the average thin walled stainless pot is going to need replacing as well.
I use this 40q aluminum pot. Heavier gauge than most, I drilled it to add a spigot and had no flexing at all. Very sturdy. It was less than $40 when I first bought it though. Free shipping for prime:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CHKL68/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
I use this 40q aluminum pot. Heavier gauge than most, I drilled it to add a spigot and had no flexing at all. Very sturdy. It was less than $40 when I first bought it though. Free shipping for prime:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CHKL68/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
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Idk,my 5 gallon (20qt) ss stock pot has been in use since 1/11 & is still like new.
bullinachinashop
Well-Known Member
The only thing I'd be cautious about is the size.
If you're brewing 5 gallons on a fryer setup in a 10 gallon pot, it's just a matter of time before you'll want to do 10 gallons.
The step up to a 15 gallon pot is relatively small.
Just Sayin.
Bull
If you're brewing 5 gallons on a fryer setup in a 10 gallon pot, it's just a matter of time before you'll want to do 10 gallons.
The step up to a 15 gallon pot is relatively small.
Just Sayin.
Bull
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