Help! What kind of kettle?

[Grizzy]

I'd like to get a stainless kettle for full-wort boils of 5 gal batches. But the choices are a little confusing. I could use some help figuring out what's best for my purposes.

I'm quite certain I want stainless, and a spigot. Also, I plan on pretty much sticking with 5 gallon batches. I hope to move to all-grain brewing pretty soon. I also don't want to spend a fortune. Lastly, I don't have the time or tools to locate and modify a keg into a keggle.

So, with those parameters, here are two that may fill the bill:

Northern Brewer's modified Italian kettle, $129.95

MoreBeer's 9 gal kettle, $145

What are your thoughts? Am I overlooking something important?

Many thanks in advance,

Dan

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

It is my understanding that you will use the kettle even in AG brewing, so there's no need to think of this as a temporary piece of equipment.

For 5 gallon batches, you'll need at least 7 gallons or so since you want to be careful to avoid a boilover. Going with a larger kettle, 10 gallons or so, will make it more practical for AG brewing because there are times when you'll need to boil down the wort in order to concentrate it. I'm sure others can explain better than I, but in a nutshell, I can't think of any reason not to go as big as possible with the kettle. The only exception to this is if you are cooking on a stovetop in which case the larger kettle may be harder or impossible to bring to a boil.

 

[Hopfan]

7 gallons would be an absolute minimum for 5 gallon batches. Reason is, that depending on the beer and the boil, you will want to have about 6.5 gallons in the kettle to start with and you will get down to about 5.25 to go into your primary (accounting for boil off and remains in the kettle after transfering) Even with 7, you will have to kep a close eye on it with a mist bottle and a spoon to keep stirring.

All you need to convert a keg is an angle grinder (if you don't know someone that has one, you can either rent one or buy a cheap one at Sears) and a step drill to install the spigot. The step drills are expensive, so you may want to find a machine shop that will drill the hole for a ten spot. It only takes about 1 minute.
The angle grinder work took me about 20 minutes and another 15 for hand filing to a smooth edge so in less than an hour, I had a 15 gallon kettle that works great.

You may even try contacting other brewers on this board that may be nearby and have the tools. Hell, I'll do just about anything for a few beers.

Or is that...I'll do just about anything after a few beers???? I forget....:cross:

edit: BTW, it helps if you post your location in your profile so people will know what area of the country (or world) you are in.

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

A mist bottle? You mean you spray the boiling over stuff to get it back down? Does that work?

 

[david_42]

I don't have one myself, but I've heard good reports on the NB's Italian kettle. Nine gallons is big enough for just about any 5 gallon batch. Also, the short, wide design is less likely to boil over. Not having handles can be a pain, but since the pot includes a spigot, it isn't all that big a deal.

 

[Hopfan]

A mist bottle? You mean you spray the boiling over stuff to get it back down? Does that work?

Yes and Yes

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

Yes and Yes

Awesome! Thanks for the tip!

 

[dantodd]

look like the same product, just a different name.

 

[Grizzy]

I don't have one myself, but I've heard good reports on the NB's Italian kettle.

That's good to know. Thanks.

 

[Grizzy]

All you need to convert a keg is ...

Very good information, especially if I decide I do want to do large batches some day. But as I said, I really don't have the time or the tools to do this. Especially the time.

BTW, it helps if you post your location in your profile so people will know what area of the country (or world) you are in.

Thanks for the tip. I've modified my profile to show that I'm in Rochester, NY.

 

[ajf]

If you get a kettle with a spigot, you may also want to get a false bottom, and a fitting for a thermometer.

I use the thermometer for measuring the strike and sparge water temperatures. It is so much easier than using a digital thermometer as it just needs a quick glance instead of dipping a thermometer in the water, and waiting for it to stabilize.

The false bottom works wonders in stopping the hops from clogging the spigot (I only use whole hops), and the hops filter the break material when racking to the primary.

I went for the PolarWare with false bottom and thermometer. It was expensive, but worth every penny.

-a.