Looking to Buy this Kettle

[Damian13]

Does anybody have any experience with this kettle. Looking to buy this for BIAB. Seems like a good deal. It was $58 when I bought it (I just noticed they changed the price).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MIA5OQK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[TexasDroughtBrewery]

I saw a thread not that long ago on this pot, they seemed to have good things to say about it.

With that being said, I would personally spring for a kettle that has fitting so you can eventually upgrade to pumps, plate chillers, or whatever else will meet your fancy without having to buy a new kettle.....again.

 

[Damian13]

I would personally spring for a kettle that has fitting

Could I just drill later?

 

[TexasDroughtBrewery]

Could I just drill later?

I personally don't have that know how but if you do, then that will save you some money getting this kettle rather than one with fittings. Go for it.

 

[EthanH]

Similar in construction (but lacking some of features) to the pot I've been brewing in the last couple years. The complaint people seem to have with these Bayou pots is the thin construction, but I've been pretty happy with mine.

 

[TimmyWit]

Could I just drill later?

Yes, all you need is a step drill bit. Just be careful to hold it steady and keep your drill at a low speed. If it's wobbling as you go down each step, you could twist the kettle.

 

[Twotaureanbrewing]

Yes, all you need is a step drill bit. Just be careful to hold it steady and keep your drill at a low speed. If it's wobbling as you go down each step, you could twist the kettle.

I did just that. I also used a smaller drill bit first to make a starter hole....kept my step drill from walking

 

[Damian13]

Sounds good. I will probably add some fittings down the line then. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[arnobg]

Why not get the Bayou 44 quart for cheaper? It has better dimensions too and will save some boil off. You wouldn't regret getting the extra gallon.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VXHKMC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Only difference is no markings inside, but you can do that yourself like I did. It was very easy there's a tutorial somewhere on the forums. I also added a thermometer and soon will be a ball valve with a step bit. Plenty of tutorials on youtube.

 

[Damian13]

I bought the pot pretty much after I posted since they showed only one available at the $58 price. After I bought they jacked the price up. Hopefully it works well. looking to get into BIAB.

 

[MaxStout]

That kettle is more squat, so you'll have a slightly higher boiloff rate, due to the greater surface area of wort. But it should be just fine for 5 gal. batches BIAB. I used a 10 gal kettle with similar dimensions as my first BIAB kettle and it served me well. Higher gravity brews might mean having to do a pour-over sparge. Fermcap-s will come in handy if your boil volume is near the top.

 

[Jayzon]

Here's the thread for marking the inside of your kettle.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=463099

 

[augiedoggy]

I personally don't have that know how but if you do, then that will save you some money getting this kettle rather than one with fittings. Go for it.

Nothing to know but how to operate a hand drill.
Basically as others already said, you buy a step bit for 15-20 and use some wd 40 or cutting oil and operate the drill at a slow speed and it should cut through like butter... I drilled many holes in my 3 bayou kettles and my keg and kettle before that.. learned the hard way by drilling too fast and ruining a bit fast.

Honestly, If you guys can handle brewing beer you can handle drilling a hole.. some people try to drill to fast or dont use oil and then have problems. just dont do those things and you'll be ok.

 

[TexasDroughtBrewery]

Nothing to know but how to operate a hand drill.
Basically as others already said, you buy a step bit for 15-20 and use some wd 40 or cutting oil and operate the drill at a slow speed and it should cut through like butter... I drilled many holes in my 3 bayou kettles and my keg and kettle before that.. learned the hard way by drilling too fast and ruining a bit fast.

Honestly, If you guys can handle brewing beer you can handle drilling a hole.. some people try to drill to fast or dont use oil and then have problems. just dont do those things and you'll be ok.

Good information to know.

 

[MaxStout]

A variable speed drill is a must. If you can keep the speed around a couple hundred RPM, you'll be good. Keep adding lots of oil as you go. Also, many of the fittings are stated as 7/8" in diameter, but I have found some that actually measured around 13/16". Check for fit before you get to that last step in the drill. A small file is helpful to remove burrs from around the hole when you're done drilling.

 

[Damian13]

Lots of useful info. Thanks guys.