Downsides of a Penrose Kettle?

[StMarcos]

In that thread, crusty and RDWHAHB have it right.

 

[jeffmeh]

In that thread, crusty and RDWHAHB have it right.

That may be. Their position is that the faster boil-off rate is due to the larger surface area of the kettle bottom transferring more energy to the liquid. As a practical matter, we do experience faster boil-off rates with larger diameter kettles, regardless of whether the physics attribute it to the surface area of the bottom or the opening. I will concede that I do not know which.

 

[smokinghole]

I guess it's a combo of both btus and surface area (of the bottom). I can throw up a flag when there is evidence supporting something else. While surface are has a influence it's considerably tiny. Either way my boil off should be less (albeit hardly) unless this pot causes a much more efficient use of my burner. Touche'

 

[a_w_taylor]

Back to the Penrose Kettle...

I have one on order with a buddy and will update with our boil-off rate once we get a couple of batches under our belt.

 

[Jaysus]

Back to the Penrose Kettle...

I have one on order with a buddy and will update with our boil-off rate once we get a couple of batches under our belt.

I have one on order too... what have folks been using as a lid for the PK?

 

[smokinghole]

What do you guys use a lid for? I have one for my current kettle and it sits in my garage and gets in my way.

 

[a_w_taylor]

Agreed - I don't use a lid on my boil kettle.

 

[Jaysus]

well, for one, to keep bugs and debris out after whirlpooling and before transferring to primary...

 

[AnOldUR]

. . . also, why waste time and fuel. Keeping a lid on until the worts reaches 200 degrees speeds up boil time.


For me, pre boil and post boil, a lid is a must have item.

 

[Hex]

I us my lids on all my other pots...

 

[smokinghole]

I could see a lid for whirlpooling but I give my kettle a quick swirl and then I run into my fermentor since I do no chill.

 

[Bruin]

Lids can easily be purchased from any restaurant supply store.

 

[JEBrew]

The Penrose Kettle is 15.75" in diameter (roughly). Restaurant supply, Dragon Trading (IIRC), or Home Depot or Lowes (if you want the trash can lid idea).

That's just a few to get you started! We don't have the ability to make a lid for these...the material just isn't available to us. Unless you want to spend $95 for a lid, then I MAY be able to get one made, but that is still a longshot!

-Josh

 

[RobotWerewolfLabs]

Will this diptube attach to the inside of a Penrose kettle?

 

[JEBrew]

Will this diptube attach to the inside of a Penrose kettle?

It SHOULD be able to...it's 1/2" NPT, so that part is right...I can't see a reason why it wouldn't!

 

[smokinghole]

Looks like I'll be brewing with my penrose on Friday if UPS does in fact drop it at my house as scheduled for thursday. Due to its height I'll have to change my setup a bit. Right now my grill is perfect to use as a brewing stand but that won't be the case when this kettle arrives. I'll take pics of anything more detailed for you guys that isn't already pictured on the brewhemoth site.

 

[Jaysus]

Looks like I'll be brewing with my penrose on Friday if UPS does in fact drop it at my house as scheduled for thursday. Due to its height I'll have to change my setup a bit. Right now my grill is perfect to use as a brewing stand but that won't be the case when this kettle arrives. I'll take pics of anything more detailed for you guys that isn't already pictured on the brewhemoth site.

It looks like Harrisburg will be getting two Penrose kettles tomorrow! My brewday is looking more like Sunday though.

 

[ghoti]

Does anybody know of a good false bottom to utilize with this kettle?

 

[Hex]

I think the Blichmann 15 gal will fit, call Northern Brewer for the exact diameter, but you will have to modify it with some type of stand off, here is how I did mine for a 7.5 gal kettle with the 10 gal FB. I'll walk you through making one if you decide to go this route, I used siphon, but you could make a dip tube, or silicon hose to barbs inside the kettle.

Or you could make a copper or stainless tube manifold...

 

[motobrewer]

what's the wall thickness?

what's the bottom thickness?

thanks.

all your boil-off bickering got in the way of my question

 

[ghoti]

Looks like the BoilerMaker diameter is 15.6" so it will look like it might work

 

[Hex]

Sounds like a tight fit, wonder how 'round' those Penrose's really are? Regardless, there is plenty of perimeter on the Blichmann FB that could be ground away with a bench grinder.

 

[fishkid]

Mine's looking like it's going to arrive tomorrow as well! Sure will be a nice upgrade from my 30qt turkey fryer pot...

 

[DaleP]

The bottoms are .10 inches thick.

 

[fishkid]

Mine is here! and UPS didn't mangle it!, Success! Sucker is good and sturdy feeling, much heavier than my aluminum pot!

Looks good, can't wait to brew with it.

 

[smokinghole]

I am eagerly awaiting its arrival. UPS is supposed to deliver by end of day. I think the day is over and I still don't have the kettle. However we have a possible flood on our hands so maybe they'll use the "inclement weather" excuse like they did with my corker a month ago.

 

[smokinghole]

Late night for the UPS guy. I have my new pot and I love it. It's just as sturdy as my other pot but bigger. I'm brewing in it tomorrow. Pics to follow against my old pot for comparison.

 

[hinke]

How about a pickup tube? Has anybody mounted one of those?

 

[smokinghole]

I'll attempt that tonight/tomorrow morning.

 

[Jaysus]

I got mine yesterday too... I am going to see about a pickup today as well.

The thing is huge, and way heavier than my old kettle.