Good kettle for ~3G

[Murphys_Law]

I usually do 5.5G batches outside but decided to do a 2G batch in the kitchen this weekend and really enjoyed myself.

I was able to stay inside and spend time with my wife, clean up was easy since the sink is right there, easy to move stuff around, etc.

I have a Spike 10G but it’s too big for my (glass top) stove.

I used an old enamel stock pot but am looking at getting a SS kettle and doing more batches this size.

For people doing this, what kettle are you using? Walmart stock pot with no spout? small Anvil? Other? I’m thinking of 2.5 to 3 gallon in the fermenter. And I BIAB.

Don’t want to break the bank but curious to see what you all are doing for small(we) batches??

 

[Bent-Brewer]

I've used the cheap ~5 gallon kettles from Walmart and from Amazon for extract batches when it's too cold to brew outside. They work fine, but one thing I've noticed is that they can occasionally scorch on my gas stove because the base is super thin.

If cost is king, go with that. If not, get a slightly nicer one with a thicker base. For those sizes I don't worry about bells and whistles: it'll take longer to clean a valve and tubing than just pouring into the fermenter. Get one with a steamer basket and you can use it for king crab legs too!

 

[IslandLizard]

Your enamel stock pot probably has a ridged bottom that may help with expansion when on the stove top.

I have a cheapish Polarware 32 qt (8 gallon) stainless 'backup' kettle that has a flat bottom (single, not tri-ply).
When I put 1-4 gallons of water in there on the glass top stove, it starts to pop. Now that's scary!

Not sure if it's the sizeable width (~15") that causes it or the thinnish metal, or both. Or the heat output of the large heating element.
Keep that in mind.

Most of our regular daily use cookware is copper or aluminum clad and has no issues. But they're not as wide either.

Now that Polarware kettle works fine on my 3500W induction plate, no popping at all. And the heating zone in that is only ~6".

 

[Murphys_Law]

Your enamel stock pot probably has a ridged bottom that may help with expansion when on the stove top.

I have a cheapish Polarware 32 qt (8 gallon) stainless 'backup' kettle that has a flat bottom (single, not tri-ply).
When I put 1-4 gallons of water in there on the glass top stove, it starts to pop. Now that's scary!

Not sure if it's the sizeable width (~15") that causes it or the thinnish metal, or both. Or the heat output of the large heating element.
Keep that in mind.

Most of our regular daily use cookware is copper or aluminum clad and has no issues. But they're not as wide either.

Now that Polarware kettle works fine on my 3500W induction plate, no popping at all. And the heating zone in that is only ~6".

I have a cheap 8G that I got at the LHBS when I first started and you can rock that sucker back and forth on a flat surface! It’s basically garbage unless you’re on a propane burner and don’t care if it shakes around!

I found a 20qt SS tri-clad bottom (with glass lid FWIW) at Walmart for $56 or so that seems like a decent choice. I may just go this route.

 

[MaxM]

I’ve used a tamale steamer that I got from the grocery store for all my beers. I can boil 3 gallons comfortably. Also for BIAB, the metal disk that normally would separate the tamales from the water does nicely to keep the bottom of the grain bag away from the direct heat of the stovetop in case of temperature adjustment during the mash. Works for 2G BIAB all grain or 5G extract with 3G boils.

I currently siphon from the kettle to the fermenter, but I’ve been thinking about installing a valve - shouldn’t be too hard to drill through the aluminum.

I’m totally with you on being able to stay inside with my wife and easy transport and clean up!

 

[CascadesBrewer]

I recently picked up this $60 5 gal pot and I am very happy with the purchase (after 3 batches): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G13XSTU/

I have a very similar style 10 gal pot for 5 gal batches. I have a 20+ year old stainless pot that is thin and pitted. I wanted a quality pot with a clad bottom. I find that 5 gal can support a pretty hefty 2.5 gal full volume mash BIAB...at least a 1.080 beer.

 

[ListerH]

If you want to go super cheap... I got one of these and use this one for the occasional stove top small batch... For me it has worked fine and I would think would be fine for BIAB... fits my immersion chiller nicely... stainless steel... and for $9.99!! (It's almost identical to what you find in Walmart but much cheaper still).
It's pretty thin so you have a to be a little carful with scorching, but not reason you cant make a decent beer in it!

https://www.boscovs.com/shop/prod/s...MI19K1rf364AIVlFYNCh0vlwIhEAQYASABEgJvHfD_BwE

 

[CascadesBrewer]

If you want to go super cheap... I got one of these and use this one for the occasional stove top small batch... For me it has worked fine and I would think would be fine for BIAB... fits my immersion chiller nicely... stainless steel... and for $9.99!! (It's almost identical to what you find in Walmart but much cheaper still).
It's pretty thin so you have a to be a little careful with scorching, but not reason you cant make a decent beer in it!

I see they have a 20 qt one for $12! Walmart sells their 16 qt for $12...so I am not sure that $10 is "much cheaper" but it is a little cheaper. I have two of the Walmart 2 gal pots and one of the 3 gal pots that I have (with limited success) turn into fermenters.

 

[ListerH]

I see they have a 20 qt one for $12! Walmart sells their 16 qt for $12...so I am not sure that $10 is "much cheaper" but it is a little cheaper. I have two of the Walmart 2 gal pots and one of the 3 gal pots that I have (with limited success) turn into fermenters.

Ah! OK... I think back when I was shopping around, I couldn't find anything that cheap at Walmart... I went into my local store and the cheapest they had at the time was about 40 bucks... but yeah $12 is a good deal. Plus if they have them in store you can take a look before going for an online punt...

 

[tneary]

Choice would depend on your budget. I do the same as you describe. Typically 5-10gal batches outside but in the winter when its freezing or below I started doing 3 gal batches in the kitchen (both full mash and also BIAB) to pass time on those cold winter days. For the 3 gallon batches I use the 5.5gal Anvil kettle which I love.

 

[Wansombeer?]

I went with this, reasoning that I could also use it for boiling crab legs and making giant pots of soup:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZMHDRQ/ref=twister_B07CYK227H?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I'll say that it's a super nice pot and I was able to get roiling boils on a glass cooktop stove with my 3 gallon batches.

 

[Murphys_Law]

I think I’m going for the -$60 5G linked from Amazon. I just don’t want to sink >$100 into something I’ll only use occasionally and this one seems more than functional!

Thanks for the input and Suggs!

 

[IslandLizard]

I think I’m going for the -$60 5G linked from Amazon. I just don’t want to sink >$100 into something I’ll only use occasionally and this one seems more than functional!

Thanks for the input and Suggs!

The only thing that worries me are the spot welded handles...
They're OK for lifting the empty pot or when the full pot just sits on the stove.

But... I would never lift a full pot of that size by those handles, especially with hot or boiling content.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

I think I’m going for the -$60 5G linked from Amazon. I just don’t want to sink >$100 into something I’ll only use occasionally and this one seems more than functional!

Cool. Where do I collect my commission check? It really is a nice pot with a clad bottom and thick walls. The handles are very solid and I would have zero concerns, especially since this is only a 5 gal pot.

I was looking at this one too (https://www.webstaurantstore.com/vi...num-clad-stock-pot-with-cover/473SSPOT20.html) but it is about the same price with shipping. They look very similar in build.

 

[Wansombeer?]

Was actually this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G5JA4SW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I really don't know how many hours I spent looking at pots and reading reviews.

 

[Murphys_Law]

I ended up buying this from Walmart:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-Stainless-Steel-22-Quart-Covered-Stock-Pot-1-Each/19581118

It has a tri clad bottom, is an extra 1/2 gallon, and has riveted handles. The only thing I don’t really care for, and not sure it matters, is a glass top.

Seemed like a decent deal.