Looking for a new brew kettle

[jeramieb]

I'm in the market for a new boil kettle. I don't need anything larger than 10gal and would prefer to stay around the $250 mark. I've been looking at the new Anvil equipment as well as SS Brewtech and MegaPot. I would prefer the $250ish price range include the ball valve and thermometer as opposed to them being an added cost above that.

Given that information, any advice or insight you can provide would be appreciated.

 

[jeramieb]

Well I went with the Ss Brewtech kettle. Here's hoping I made a good choice.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

FWIW you can get this pot for a whopping $30.You could add every valve and sight glass under the sun and still not come close to $250.I have the 20 gallon and it will last a lifetime.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CONCORD-Hom...tle-w-Lid-Brewing-Gear-Cookware-/141426571056

 

[jeramieb]

Bah that's just too much like work. I'd rather the damn thing show up on my doorstep ready to brew.

 

[sudbuddy]

SSBrewtech kettles are cool, but I greatly prefer the handle configuration on the Anvil pots. Plus, Blichmann's customer service is top notch

 

[Sconnie12]

FWIW you can get this pot for a whopping $30.You could add every valve and sight glass under the sun and still not come close to $250.I have the 20 gallon and it will last a lifetime.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CONCORD-Hom...tle-w-Lid-Brewing-Gear-Cookware-/141426571056

For a 1.6gal kettle plus the additional tools need to drill into stainless. Pass.

Well I went with the Ss Brewtech kettle. Here's hoping I made a good choice.

I have Spike Brewing kettles which I love but I have SS conicals. I much prefer the Spike kettles with the welded fittings and additional features but the SS conicals are pretty sweet!

 

[gotraut]

Just got a spike 15 gallon mash tun for my father in-law birthday and I really like it. I have a Brewers Hardware mash tun and kettle and like those as well. Nice to see american made products available.

 

[jrcrilly]

I think that Midwest is having their periodic 20% sale right now. That would make the 10 gallon Megapot with thermo and ball valve about $200.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

For a 1.6gal kettle plus the additional tools need to drill into stainless. Pass.



I have Spike Brewing kettles which I love but I have SS conicals. I much prefer the Spike kettles with the welded fittings and additional features but the SS conicals are pretty sweet!

To each there there own,Just passing along some info.Don't know what your looking at,the link starts at 10 gallons and goes up from there.The tools needed are a step bit for another $10.Not exactly breaking the bank.

 

[jeramieb]

I think that Midwest is having their periodic 20% sale right now. That would make the 10 gallon Megapot with thermo and ball valve about $200.

I thought about that but after adding shipping and tax it came out a couple $$ more than an Ss Brewtech including the thermometer. I could have went either way but ended up going with the Ss Brewtech due to the trub-damn. I'm a sucker for gimmicks I guess.

 

[augiedoggy]

For a 1.6gal kettle plus the additional tools need to drill into stainless. Pass.



I have Spike Brewing kettles which I love but I have SS conicals. I much prefer the Spike kettles with the welded fittings and additional features but the SS conicals are pretty sweet!

Additional tools? You brew your own beer but don't own a drill? There should be some sort of man rule against that like if you cant change a tire you shouldnt grow a beard or something..

Seriously though, some of you guys act like drilling a hole and mounting a ball valve or two is like an epic challenge to walk on the moon..

To each his own but I wouldnt say its silly to spend the 15 minutes to drill and mount the hardware vs paying someone else $150 to do it either.. Either will work fine. One can can actually put you further ahead if you decide to change something and add a port later..

 

[radwizard]

SS Brew Tech's whirlpool attachment will be available next week. I'm planning on getting this kettle as well, and emailed them about the attachment. Whirlpool over Thermometer all day...

The SS Brew Tech Kettles look awesome, and everything is included and ready to brew.

 

[Sconnie12]

To each there there own,Just passing along some info.Don't know what your looking at,the link starts at 10 gallons and goes up from there.The tools needed are a step bit for another $10.Not exactly breaking the bank.

I'm looking at your link. The 40qt isn't even available and the "$30 kettle" is the 6.5qt (1.6gal). And a drill and a good pilot drill. The $10 step bits are junk and they like to get dull very quickly in the cheap 201 stainless Concord pots.

SS Brew Tech's whirlpool attachment will be available next week. I'm planning on getting this kettle as well, and emailed them about the attachment. Whirlpool over Thermometer all day...

The SS Brew Tech Kettles look awesome, and everything is included and ready to brew.

I emailed Spike Brewing and their whirlpool arms are coming in next week as well, collusion! Have you seen them? They are all push to connect; pop em in and pop em out. Pretty slick!

 

[radwizard]

I've been looking at the Spike Kettles too. Both Kettles look really great. Honestly I'm not 100% sure which way Ill go, but I'm slightly leaning towards SS Brewtech. I have about a month to go before I am ready for the purchase, but these two kettles for my needs seem like the best bang for the buck.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

I'm looking at your link. The 40qt isn't even available and the "$30 kettle" is the 6.5qt (1.6gal). And a drill and a good pilot drill. The $10 step bits are junk and they like to get dull very quickly in the cheap 201 stainless Concord pots.



I emailed Spike Brewing and their whirlpool arms are coming in next week as well, collusion! Have you seen them? They are all push to connect; pop em in and pop em out. Pretty slick!

I stand corrected on the price.I didn't click on the pot size.That being said I bought the HF step bits,they come in a 2 pack and I never even needed the second bit.They work more than fine and Have used it for other things AFTER drilling my pot.And when I dulls out Ill be out like $10 bucks Whoop dee doo.The concord pot is not cheap by any means.Its quality and will literary last a lifetime..I speak from experience..So unless you actually own a Concord pot and have drilled through it with a HF bit your talkin out your ass. Buy whatever you want but stating something as fact without actual experience is at best misleading and spreading misinformation

 

[Sconnie12]

I stand corrected on the price.I didn't click on the pot size.That being said I bought the HF step bits,they come in a 2 pack and I never even needed the second bit.They work more than fine and Have used it for other things AFTER drilling my pot.And when I dulls out Ill be out like $10 bucks Whoop dee doo.The concord pot is not cheap by any means.Its quality and will literary last a lifetime..I speak from experience..So unless you actually own a Concord pot and have drilled through it with a HF bit your talkin out your ass. Buy whatever you want but stating something as fact without actual experience is at best misleading and spreading misinformation

I actually have owned a Concord pot. And I have drilled into it with a Harbor Freight step bit. The bit wore out before the first hole was done. I brought it to work and used a Cobalt bit on it. It drilled harder than normal 304SS so I had our tech shoot it with our XRF machine. It's not true 304SS. It's closer to a 200 series. It was much lower on the chromium and nickel (12% and 2% if I remember correctly). It started rusting after the first use and I sent it back. Sooooo it won't "literally last a lifetime". There's a reason why the Concord ports are half the price of respectable brands. Cheap Chinese crap.

Glad you're happy with yours though

 

[Bruinchick]

I just bought kettles from Custom Built Brewing and they were awesome and shipped them for free. I was considering the Spike kettles as well but wanted a welded whirlpool for easy cleaning.