I know the answer is here somewhere, but I can't find it...

[firstRWD]

What size pot do I need for boiling? I plan to go all grain someday if that matters. Also, something I found in my search that contradicts what I've read/heard elsewhere was that it doesn't matter if you use aluminum or stainless. Is that true or no?

 

[Gduck]

What size pot do I need for boiling? I plan to go all grain someday if that matters. Also, something I found in my search that contradicts what I've read/heard elsewhere was that it doesn't matter if you use aluminum or stainless. Is that true or no?

Generally speaking, if you want to do a 5 gallon batch of beer you want a pot that going to is have enough volume for the full volume, plus the volume you'll boil off, and enough space to not worry about boil overs. I've gotten away with a 7 gallon pot in the past for 5 gallon batches, but I had to baby sit the firts several minutes of the boil to keep it from boiling over. I've since moved to a 10 gallon and highly reccomend the size. Though if you think someday you may want to brew bigger you might want to look at a 15 gallon pot so that you can do 10 gallon batches someday.

As for SS vs. Aluminum that seems to be a topic that is akin to holy wars around here. My first was aluminum, my second pot is SS. To be honest I haven't really noticed any difference so am pretty agnostic on this one, but there are many on the forum who have strong opinions n the subject.

 

[unionrdr]

An aluminum pot needs to have water boiled in it 1st before brewing with it. They say it needs this oxidized surface treatment to keep the taste of the metal out of the beer. I found a set of 4 nested,polished SS stock pots on sale at the grocery store for $25. Stainless contributes no off flavors,so it's better to get it in my opinion.

 

[LandoLincoln]

5 gallon batches: 8+ gallon pot
10 gallon batches: 13+ gallon pot

No real performance differences between SS or aluminum. SS is more durable. Aluminum is cheaper.

 

[helibrewer]

There is a SS v. Aluminum stickie you could read through if interested

 

[hypergolic]

I would not recommend anything smaller than a 10 gallon pot for 5 gallon batches, it just makes life easier. SS vs Aluminum? Doesn't matter, I like SS but Aluminum is cheaper.

I just want to clarify, you don't have to have a 10 gallon pot. You will be boiling roughly 6 1/2 gallons at the beginning if you account for boil off, loss, trub etc. A 7 1/2 gallon to 8 gallon pot will work. You just really have to watch for boil overs and it doesn't give you a lot of breathing room. I went with a 10 gallon and I am glad I did.

 

[kh54s10]

I agree with about a 10 gallon pot. I use a 30 qt turkey fryer pot. The 7.5 gallon measure must be right to the lip. I aim for about 6.5 gallons to account for boil off to 5.25 gallons. I have gotten a little more than that. The pot is filled to within 1 inch from the top and I have to start the boil very carefully. I get boil overs and occasionally it has put out the flame. It works but can be a real PITA! I plan to put a valve in it and use it for a HLT and get a 10 gallon boil pot.

 

[Yooper]

Keep in mind that if you're planning on getting the big pot for boiling, you'll need two more things- a burner to use it on (most stoves can't boil 6+ gallons of liquid), and a wort chiller to chill that much wort.

Many new brewers will start with a smaller, 4-5 gallon pot for on their stove and start by boiling 2.5 gallons of wort and adding water at the end to get to 5 gallons. So, there is more than one (right!) way to do it, depending on what you have to start with.

 

[Jwood]

if you plan to go all-grain get a 10 gallon pot for 5 gallon batches. Its the minimum in my opinion (keeping the future and cost in mind).

 

[badbrew]

An aluminum pot needs to have water boiled in it 1st before brewing with it. They say it needs this oxidized surface treatment to keep the taste of the metal out of the beer. I found a set of 4 nested,polished SS stock pots on sale at the grocery store for $25. Stainless contributes no off flavors,so it's better to get it in my opinion.

Are you talking brand new? How long is the required boiling time of the water?

 

[unionrdr]

I've never had to do it myself,since I bought SS pots right off the bat. But there should be a sticky about it. I just can't remember how long...But it basically keeps the brew from leaching metal off flavors into the brew by this oxidation layer covering the inside. Maybe at least a half hour?...

 

[RM-MN]

Are you talking brand new? How long is the required boiling time of the water?

I boiled mine for an hour and got a nice coat of oxide. Once you do, don't get too vigorous with the scrubbing or you'll scrub it off and have to do it over.

 

[unionrdr]

Ok,I found it in the sticky "this vs that- a pro/con analysis" at the top of this forum. Def at least a 30 minute boil. and manual labor cleaning only on aluminum,or you'll have to create that oxide coating all over again. I'm glad I found the SS stock pots on sale. No worries.

 

[badbrew]

Good thing I read this thread before my 1st brew. Does anybody recommend using oxyclean on aluminum pots?

 

[unionrdr]

The sticky I mentioned just says not to use "CIP" cleaners on them or you have to do the boil thing again...

 

[gr8shandini]

For what it's worth, I started off following the advice to boil my Al stockpot, but gave up on not using a scrubby (trying to get that residue off with just a cloth is ridiculous). I haven't noticed a bit of difference. I think this is one of the many areas where people take unnecessary precautions against a largely theoretical problem.