Hows this for a Brew Kettle?

[K-Bizzle]

Bayou Classic

I can get in a decent amount cheaper because my room mate works at a hardware store that carries them.

Anyway.
How would this work for a brew kettle? Good? Bad?

Currently I'm using a 5 gallon pot on my stove, but with 7.5 gallons I should be able to move off the stove and be able to boil my full volume rather than watering down after.

What do you guys think?
Is this something thats frequently done?

 

[hammacks]

I use that and it works fine. You are going to need some foam control drops.

Also, if you experience a lot of evaporative loss when boiling, you will be pushing it with your preboil volume. In Illinois, probably not an issue.

 

[K-Bizzle]

I use that and it works fine. You are going to need some foam control drops.

Also, if you experience a lot of evaporative loss when boiling, you will be pushing it with your preboil volume. In Illinois, probably not an issue.

Foam control drops?
As in fermcap?

Why do I need them if I get this?

 

[rsmith179]

You don't "need" the Fermcap drops, but it may help in case of boilovers. In general, I just keep a hand held spray bottle next to my kettle. If it looks like it may boilover or if I'm getting too much foam on top, I just spray a little cold water on top and the foam disappears. There's always more than one way to do the same thing, but I'm always down for the cheaper way!

 

[K-Bizzle]

You don't "need" the Fermcap drops, but it may help in case of boilovers. In general, I just keep a hand held spray bottle next to my kettle. If it looks like it may boilover or if I'm getting too much foam on top, I just spray a little cold water on top and the foam disappears. There's always more than one way to do the same thing, but I'm always down for the cheaper way!

ha cool.

Why is something like this more prone to a boil over than my kettle on the stove?

 

[RC0032]

How cheap? Im in IL and would love a hookup

 

[K-Bizzle]

I was planning on heading out to the brew store tomorrow for some stuff.
I've got 2 recipes to do tomorrow so I think I'm gonna go ahead and have my room mate bring this home for me today.

Then tomorrow maybe I'll pick up some of those Fermcaps.
Irish Moss and a long stirrer are definitely on the shopping list though.

 

[K-Bizzle]

How cheap? Im in IL and would love a hookup

I think around $50, but I'll have to double check.

 

[kaptain_karma]

If you're going to do a vigorous full-volume boil and end with five gallons, you're going to have six to six and a half gallons pre-boil. That's not a lot of head space, especially with a fatty propane burner under the kettle.

I have a ten gallon pot and usually start with about 7.5 gal to end with 5.5 in my primary fermenter. I always come close to boiling over.

That pot will work, you just need to keep an eye on it.

 

[K-Bizzle]

If you're going to do a vigorous full-volume boil and end with five gallons, you're going to have six to six and a half gallons pre-boil. That's not a lot of head space, especially with a fatty propane burner under the kettle.

I have a ten gallon pot and usually start with about 7.5 gal to end with 5.5 in my primary fermenter. I always come close to boiling over.

That pot will work, you just need to keep an eye on it.

Ok cool thanks.:rockin:

I'll get some of those tabs for sure then, as well as a sprayer like previously mentioned.

 

[TeufelBrew]

That exact pot was my kettle for about a year. It definatley works for full boil, but like everyone said, you will get boilover if you don't take some steps. Spray bottle works. Fan turned on high and aimed at down and across the surface of the boil helps more. Fermcap is another layer of insurance, but I didn't use them because the fan and spray worked fine.

Keep an eye on it as it approaches boil temp. Turn fan on high and keep spray bottle in one hand long handled spoon in the other. Spray, stir and it will go down. Watch again as you put first hops in.

Good luck with it. You'll like brewing away from the stove.

 

[zippyslug31]

I just found a really cheap turkey cooker for $20, but it's only 28qt (7 gallon).
Am I going to regret buying this for doing full boils? Sounds like that's the sentiment here.

Hmmmmm.....

 

[K-Bizzle]

That exact pot was my kettle for about a year. It definatley works for full boil, but like everyone said, you will get boilover if you don't take some steps. Spray bottle works. Fan turned on high and aimed at down and across the surface of the boil helps more. Fermcap is another layer of insurance, but I didn't use them because the fan and spray worked fine.

Keep an eye on it as it approaches boil temp. Turn fan on high and keep spray bottle in one hand long handled spoon in the other. Spray, stir and it will go down. Watch again as you put first hops in.

Good luck with it. You'll like brewing away from the stove.

So are you using the same burner with the bigger pot?
I'm definitely looking forward to moving out into the garage for the brewing stages.
I'm probably gonna move some shelving and stuff out there beside my big sink so I can a nice system set up and get a chiller as well.

 

[Dogslovebeer]

I just found a really cheap turkey cooker for $20, but it's only 28qt (7 gallon).
Am I going to regret buying this for doing full boils? Sounds like that's the sentiment here.

Hmmmmm.....

Bigger is always better, with that said this hobby will take every dime out of your wallet if you let it. Brewing beer can be more expensive than smoking crack. Some of these brewers are filthy rich, I'm just filthy and make use of what I have. If you got a 7 gallon great, keep an eye on it and it won't boil over, maybe you have to add a gallon to the carboy to top off, big deal. Use the 80 something dollars you saved on a bigger pot toward a keg set up or yeast and grain.

 

[Scrow]

How about this bad boy?

Can be found here.

12" Diameter
15.75" high
32 Quart

Large enough for a full-boil to end with a 5-gallon batch, and small enough to use on my stove?

 

[Denny's Evil Concoctions]

Just an FYI. If you have a hose with a mist nozzle, spraying a boilover with water mist rapidly drops it back down, and then you can lower the flame.

 

[Irish1225]

OP - i'd love a discount too, lol

what store are you talking? was looking at the same set on amazon but if i could skip shipping, that'd be great

 

[K-Bizzle]

Got it put together.

Ill report back tomorrow

 

[TeufelBrew]

So are you using the same burner with the bigger pot?
I'm definitely looking forward to moving out into the garage for the brewing stages.
I'm probably gonna move some shelving and stuff out there beside my big sink so I can a nice system set up and get a chiller as well.

No, the 30qt stays on the original burner. Found a CL score of 60qt Polarware SS stock pot and Bayou Classic SQ14 burner.

I'm going to try a setup for 2-3 tier system on a portable scaffold this weekend. I'll get some pics and post them up so you can see what the two pots/burners look like side by side.

Best advice for you is go brew. Learn how the stuff works for you and how you brew. Have some fun and enjoy making and drinking your beer.

Then come back and tell us about it!

 

[Beau815]

Hes talking about home depot, i just bought that EXACT same turkey fryer today. It was $55 marked down to $37.54 with base and 30qt kettle. Its last years model and they had about 8 of them in the CLEARANCE section. I think its a great deal.

 

[RC0032]

Humm...not I want to run to Home Depot and look for one. I could use a second pot for going AG.

 

[K-Bizzle]

Hes talking about home depot, i just bought that EXACT same turkey fryer today. It was $37.84 with base and 30qt kettle. Its last years model and they had about 8 of them in the CLEARANCE section. I think its a great deal.

Actually it was at Ace. Was just under $50 even. Wish I woulda known about the Home Depot deal.

It was too cold this weekend, so I just used the new pot on the stove in the kitchen. Can't wait to move outta there.

 

[flyfishnc]

so, an aluminum pot is ok? someone told me to use stainless, but i'm still green at this hobby / addiction.

 

[ak47clown]

+1 on a fan for foam control. It's a completely hands off solution for me-I crank the burner up until i get a roaring boil and then position my fan and never have to worry about turning down the burner.

As far as aluminum-I'd recommend reading up on it yourself if you're interested but long story short is that it's more or less a myth that you can't use AL to brew and plenty of people do it on the forums. I would recommend getting a layer of oxidation on your pot before brewing in it though (not hard at all)

 

[llazy_llama]

so, an aluminum pot is ok? someone told me to use stainless, but i'm still green at this hobby / addiction.

Yes. As long as you get that passive oxide layer going before you start boiling wort, you'll be fine. Just fill it up with water, boil for 20-30 minutes, and it's ready to rock.

 

[Beau815]

I just did this with this kit, it didnt reach full boil but i had it on for over an hour and it certainly turned the crisp silver shine to a dark gray. I believe its all set.

 

[flyfishnc]

Yes. As long as you get that passive oxide layer going before you start boiling wort, you'll be fine. Just fill it up with water, boil for 20-30 minutes, and it's ready to rock.

wow, wish i would have known that. guess i should have discovered this forum before i bought my stuff .

buying aluminum would have saved me quite the coin... oh well...