I found a really good deal on 20 gallon stainless stock pots at a kitchen supply store that imports products straight out of china. I'm planning on drilling holes for ball valves and thermometers on three of these things for a HLT, mash tun and BK. What I'm concerned about is these things are pretty thin. I tried to get some structural info from the employees but because I can't speak chinese they couldn't really understand my questions. I'm assuming that they don't have a tri-clad steel aluminum steel bottom, so what I'm wondering is, will this be an issue? I'm going to be recirculating my wort so I think that should help, but from what I understand the best recirculation rate is pretty slow so if the bottom of the pot is comprised of a thin gauged steel could I still be at risk of scorching my wort????
Kettle gauge, big issue?
- Thread starter IMUNS
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I say pull the trigger. If they do scorch:
1. Your HLT won't be an issue
2. RIMS or HERMS would stop the issue in your MLT
3. You could make your BK electric or sell it.
In the end, I really think kegs are the way to go. I'll know for sure in May.
1. Your HLT won't be an issue
2. RIMS or HERMS would stop the issue in your MLT
3. You could make your BK electric or sell it.
In the end, I really think kegs are the way to go. I'll know for sure in May.
LakewoodBrew
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I use kegs(single layer stainless), no scorching issues, though I don't recirc through the kettle.
Thanks guys, I think I'm gonna go for it! I also read that those italian kettles Lonnie Mac uses on his brutus are only 1 mm single layer stainless, so the ones I'm looking at can't be much different
cheers,
cheers,
Golddiggie
Well-Known Member
As long as they don't flex when you try to squeeze them, you should be ok... You can always place a sheet of decent thickness aluminum over the burner and under the pots to help even out the heat. Get some 2-4mm thick aluminum that's large enough for the entire pot to rest on and you'll be covered. Or at least larger than the burner, so that it distributes the heat better. That's basically what a clad bottom does anyway. I would go with the larger piece if I was doing it, just to be sure it had enough coverage... I'm even thinking about doing that on my propane burner I have. Will make it a little easier to get the pot centered. 
For reference: Kegs are made of 18 gauge (0.0478 in ~= 1.21 mm) steel for the walls and 14 gauge (0.0747 in ~= 1.90 mm) steel for the skirts.
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Golddiggie
Well-Known Member
I think the keggle would be a bit different than a regular pot due to how far the actual bottom not being as close to the flame. Even if it's an inch, or so, above the flame, compared with a pot/kettle, that can make a big enough difference. I've not looked at the bottom of a keg, to see how high the bottom compared with the bottom of the skirt...
Either way, try it out, see what happens... As I mentioned, you can always use some aluminum to make heat spreaders for the pots/kettles to sit on.
Either way, try it out, see what happens... As I mentioned, you can always use some aluminum to make heat spreaders for the pots/kettles to sit on.
Salmonhouse
Well-Known Member
How good of a deal did you get? Can you provide a link or anything?
I just bought some Thundergroup pots for a 'good deal' 25 gal ss for ~ $183, including shipping. They are just as solid as any other pot as far as i can tell, sandwiched aluminum bottoms with a 1.2 mm thick sidewall they flex a bit but if it was any thicker they'd weigh a ton!
I just bought some Thundergroup pots for a 'good deal' 25 gal ss for ~ $183, including shipping. They are just as solid as any other pot as far as i can tell, sandwiched aluminum bottoms with a 1.2 mm thick sidewall they flex a bit but if it was any thicker they'd weigh a ton!
I haven't bought them yet but I found the pots in San Francisco at a cooking supply store called Kamei(super chinese). They had an array of sizes in stainless and the 80 qt ones were selling for $109. They're probably not the same quality as the ones you got and like I said earlier, most likely, they don't have a layer of aluminum on the bottom. They felt lighter than I had expected, but I've never picked up a pot that size so I didn't have a real frame of reference. I'll have to give them a more thorough examination when I head back up to the city and possibly find a translator
Salmonhouse
Well-Known Member
Well $109 is pretty cheap, does it come with a lid?
After your 9.25% sales tax (at least) that's $119.08.
If you decide you want the sandwiched bottom and all that the 80qt Thunder Group w/ lid is $166.99.
http://www.instawares.com/thunder-group-stock-pot.thu-slsps080.0.7.htm
After your 9.25% sales tax (at least) that's $119.08.
If you decide you want the sandwiched bottom and all that the 80qt Thunder Group w/ lid is $166.99.
http://www.instawares.com/thunder-group-stock-pot.thu-slsps080.0.7.htm
Gumbydude
Well-Known Member
What are the dimensions of the Thunder-group Pots
Salmonhouse
Well-Known Member
I can only speak for the 100qt pots, they are roughly 20"d x 20"h.
Per the link provided 16x16x26
