Chrome/Nickel plating OK?

[johnodon]

After a year and a half hiatus I am back to brewing.

Anyway, I just ordered by bag from wilser and a new kettle from...of all places...Staples (see here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f16/up...ainless-steel-stock-pot-w-cover-149-a-471100/).

Now I need a device to keep the bag from touching the bottom of the kettle. In the past I have used a steamer rack but the ones I am findiing on Amazon (examples below) are either chrome or nickel plated. Are these OK to use (especially in a boil...i prefer to just leave the rack in the entire time)?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0029DLZXC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HLU6X8/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

If not, any suggestions (cost effective...i.e. no expensive false bottoms)?

TIA!

John

 

[RM-MN]

After a year and a half hiatus I am back to brewing.

Anyway, I just ordered by bag from wilser and a new kettle from...of all places...Staples (see here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f16/up...ainless-steel-stock-pot-w-cover-149-a-471100/).

Now I need a device to keep the bag from touching the bottom of the kettle. In the past I have used a steamer rack but the ones I am findiing on Amazon (examples below) are either chrome or nickel plated. Are these OK to use (especially in a boil...i prefer to just leave the rack in the entire time)?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0029DLZXC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HLU6X8/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

If not, any suggestions (cost effective...i.e. no expensive false bottoms)?

TIA!

John

You really don't need to keep the bag off the bottom. I assume that the reason you are thinking of doing so is so you can add heat but instead, get your grains milled find and cut your mash time in half. Your heat loss will be so little that you won't have to add heat and your conversion will be over quickly.

 

[Goolsbymd]

I personally won't use it, if its nickle plated steel, if there is a small area not sufficiently covered it will allow the water in and start rusting over time which will break off more plating and more possible rust.

 

[AnOldUR]

I bought one and did a test boil with just water. It discolored.

Gave it to my wife to use as a trivet.

 

[pablosbrewing]

I brewed as cold as 0F with wind this winter and adding heat was a necessity even with reflectix wrap.

I use a perforated aluminum pizza pan, with a copper wire attached to pull it out later. Go an inch less than your pot ID and bake it before first use.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Now I need a device to keep the bag from touching the bottom of the kettle.

You really don't need to keep the bag off the bottom.

Ok my opinion, You don't need any thing to keep the bag off the bottom of the kettle. And while you certainly can brew in a fashion whereby you shouldn't have to add heat to the kettle during the mash, stuff happens, you make mistakes or whatever, and you need to boost your mash temp a little bit.

When the need arises, you can add heat to a BIAB mash simply by keeping the heat low and constant stirring. If you are stirring the mash the grain and the bag will not over heat. The same applies to any mash, you need to keep it moving to avoid scorching, bag or no bag the same principles apply.

Lots of folks like to add devices to the kettle, strainers. colanders, and seafood baskets. Just my opinion after a few years of BIAB brewing, nothing is needed in the kettle besides the bag and grain! A proper bag is plenty strong and does not need a strainer basket, and stirring while heating is the key. Even if you have something in the bottom of the kettle, you will still need to stir to mix that added heat with the grain...keep it simple and enjoy!

 

[johnodon]

Thanks guys.

My only concern was scorching the bag.

John