NB Megapot HELP--2 questions

[redbankbrewing]

I was excited to come home today to see that my Northern Brewer Megapot (25 gallon) had been delivered. The packaging was in good condition, however, there was a small dent near the bottom of the kettle. I called customer service and they explained that this sometimes happens in shipping and they offered me a $40 credit to my account. I told them I'd think about it. I realize that dents are largely cosmetic but I just hate that this thing is brand new and already dented (I guess its better than me being the one who did it). So my questions are--
1. Do you think I should request more than a $40 credit? Or a complete return?
2. And this is weird--when I talked to customer support I happened to look at the bottle of the kettle and it is says "Polarware," which I mentioned to the rep on the phone and he said "oh no, this is a megapot"....so I searched on the internet to see if for some reason Polarware was making NB's megapots and didn't see anything....Should I be concerned about this? Do you think I got some second hand dented Polarware kettle?

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sawdustguy]

I was excited to come home today to see that my Northern Brewer Megapot (25 gallon) had been delivered. The packaging was in good condition, however, there was a small dent near the bottom of the kettle. I called customer service and they explained that this sometimes happens in shipping and they offered me a $40 credit to my account. I told them I'd think about it. I realize that dents are largely cosmetic but I just hate that this thing is brand new and already dented (I guess its better than me being the one who did it). So my questions are--
1. Do you think I should request more than a $40 credit? Or a complete return?
2. And this is weird--when I talked to customer support I happened to look at the bottle of the kettle and it is says "Polarware," which I mentioned to the rep on the phone and he said "oh no, this is a megapot"....so I searched on the internet to see if for some reason Polarware was making NB's megapots and didn't see anything....Should I be concerned about this? Do you think I got some second hand dented Polarware kettle?

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Megapots are not manufactured by Polaware. They are two separate manufacturers. Here are the descriptions below:

Megapot:

The 5 mm-thick bottom has three layers - an aluminum layer sandwiched between two stainless steel layers for superior heat dissipation. All MegaPots come with a heavy-duty stainless lid and hollow handles. To prevent damage during shipping, A and B model MegaPots require minimal assembly that can be done with a wrench.

Polaware:

Brew kettles feature a 1/2" MPT ball valve and can be fitted with a stainless false bottom (sold separately) for use as a mash tun or boil kettle with whole hops. Interior threaded 1/2" FPT port fits our mash/boil screen (#7547) and exterior 1/2" FPT port for an optional 1/2" MPT thermometer (also sold separately); includes a stainless 1/2" MPT plug in case you'd prefer to use it without a thermometer.

A comparison between the two can be found here: http://www.fermentedlychallenged.com/2008/11/choosing-brew-kettle.html

Did the pot arrive dissambled like Norther Brewer claims to prevent damage? I would ship it back and ask for a replacement since it was damaged and they didn't send you what you purchased. The Megapot is nice for a direct heated mash tun because of the copper sandwiched bottom. It will distribute the heat better. If used as an HLT or BK it makes no difference.

 

[DustinHickey]

Hey man, That sucks dude. The only item to be worried about with a dent is if the surface of the stainless stell has been damaged. I do remember reading that stainless may rust if the non reactive surface gets scratched. There are ways of fixing it and creating a new non reactive surface but I dont remember how. It was in Palmer's book.

I personally would want a new pot I think but it may not be a big deal. (dont know the severity of the dent)

I don't know much about mega pots but from reading about them they have a tri clad bottom. From what I remember I don't think polarware uses a tri clad bottom (hence the cheaper prices) I would definately make sure that you have a tri clad bottom on that. Weird that it says polorware.

Does anyone else on here have a mega pot that can clarify?

-Dustin Hickey

 

[klyph]

If it says polarware, it's a polarware, not a megapot.

 

[Catt22]

I would demand a genuine Megapot replacement. You are spending big bucks on that thing and you should not have to accept damaged or substitute merchandise. NB should pick up the tab for all of the shipping charges.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Polarware is actually more costly. You should measure your dimensions and compare with NB's website. Also, does it have welded couplers or just holes drilled? If it has welded couplers, you lucked out.....you better keep it!

 

[Sawdustguy]

Polarware is actually more costly. You should measure your dimensions and compare with NB's website. Also, does it have welded couplers or just holes drilled? If it has welded couplers, you lucked out.....you better keep it!

Both Polarware and Megapots come with welded couplers Steve. They are both good pots but for a mash tun I think the sandwiched bottom would be adventageous for spreading the heat out over the whole bottom. The dent would be enough ammunition for me to rteurn it regardless. He didn't pay for a dented pot.

 

[redbankbrewing]

Thanks for the advice guys. I just didn't want be a jerk by forcing a return, but I guess they are a business after all and they will try to save money when they can. To clarify--I did pay the extra to have holes drilled (no welded couplers) and I ordered the ball valve and Blichmann thermometer.

Looking at their website, they don't even sell a 25 gallon Polarware. Its as if they've attached a Polarware bottom to a Megapot...which I assume is not the case.
If Polarware is better as a brew kettle than Megapot then I'm inclined to keep it. The dent is not bad but I am worried about the possibility of rust as was mentioned above.
The rust issue alone will probably be enough for me to request a new kettle.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Both Polarware and Megapots come with welded couplers Steve. They are both good pots but for a mash tun I think the sandwiched bottom would be adventageous for spreading the heat out over the whole bottom. The dent would be enough ammunition for me to rteurn it regardless. He didn't pay for a dented pot.

I don't want to seem difficult by posting this, but I think it's an important difference. Welding couplers isn't cheap or easy for the average Joe.

From NB's site regarding megapots:
This line of stainless steel stock pots combine great quality and remarkable value. The 5mm bottom has three layers -- an aluminum layer is sandwiched between two stainless steel layers for superior heat dissipation. All of these pots come standard with a heavy-duty stainless steel lid and hollow handles. These kettles will last a lifetime.

The ball valve option provides the Stainless Steel Kettle Valve Kit with 1/2" Barb (#7583) and the ball valve and thermometer option includes a Weldless Bremometer (#7417). Holes are drilled accordingly.

Does the OP's pot have welded couplers, or not? That might be a good indication that they gave him the wrong pot...in which case he may decide to keep it based on value.

Bottom line, if the dent isn't terribly noticeable or detrimental to the pot's function, I'd take the credit. You're going to drop it some day and get a dent anyway.

 

[ThreeDogsNE]

While you are returning your damaged goods for credit, you might want to consider getting something else there, and looking at these:

http://www.waresdirect.com/products/Restaurant-Supply/UpdateInternational/100-Qt168817

They have the same description as a Megapot. I bought three of them, and a mash screen from NB. It fits perfectly. I have been pleased with them.

Whichever pot you end up with, you can re-passivate the stainless for the price of a small container of Barkeeper's Friend, if you have any rust show up.

 

[Sawdustguy]

I don't want to seem difficult by posting this, but I think it's an important difference. Welding couplers isn't cheap or easy for the average Joe.

From NB's site regarding megapots:
This line of stainless steel stock pots combine great quality and remarkable value. The 5mm bottom has three layers -- an aluminum layer is sandwiched between two stainless steel layers for superior heat dissipation. All of these pots come standard with a heavy-duty stainless steel lid and hollow handles. These kettles will last a lifetime.

The ball valve option provides the Stainless Steel Kettle Valve Kit with 1/2" Barb (#7583) and the ball valve and thermometer option includes a Weldless Bremometer (#7417). Holes are drilled accordingly.

Does the OP's pot have welded couplers, or not? That might be a good indication that they gave him the wrong pot...in which case he may decide to keep it based on value.

Bottom line, if the dent isn't terribly noticeable or detrimental to the pot's function, I'd take the credit. You're going to drop it some day and get a dent anyway.

Good catch Steve. I didn't see that at first. I retract my statement.

 

[ScubaSteve]

While you are returning your damaged goods for credit, you might want to consider getting something else there, and looking at these:

http://www.waresdirect.com/products/Restaurant-Supply/UpdateInternational/100-Qt168817

They have the same description as a Megapot. I bought three of them, and a mash screen from NB. It fits perfectly. I have been pleased with them.

Whichever pot you end up with, you can re-passivate the stainless for the price of a small container of Barkeeper's Friend, if you have any rust show up.

+1, this is really good advice. This has to be where morebeer and nb get their pots....if not from the same Chinese distributor. Significantly cheaper, with free shipping!

 

[chask31]

I dont think waresdirect.com has free shipping on these pots. I just looked and its about $40

 

[bcstuff]

Instawares.com has some of there pots with free shipping, for instance the 80 quart like the OP's is $159 w/ free shipping.

 

[chask31]

Would 80 quart be overkill if I plan to do mostly 5 gallon batches with an occasional 10? Thats a great deal on the 80qt!

 

[TheMan]

I would exchange it for a non dented pot. The risk of rust is not something I'd be willing to take. Think of it this way...Best case, you got your pot at $40 off and it works great. Worst case, the pot rusts in a year or two and then you need another new pot. OR you can get a non dented pot and not worry about it for your lifetime. I choose the relative sure thing.

And to Chask, I think 80 quart is overkill. I got a 60qt and it's awesome. I do 5 or 10 gallon batches easily. If you do mostly 5 gallon batches I think an 80qt is too much.

 

[patrck17]

Would 80 quart be overkill if I plan to do mostly 5 gallon batches with an occasional 10? Thats a great deal on the 80qt!

PM sent
I have direct experience with this, basicly I would definately recommend getting a 80qt for 5 gallon batches.

 

[schmagy]

A simple acid wash cures any rust issue you may encounter with any ss pot, and in fact is necessary maintenance on ss to remove beer-stone and re-pasivate the surface. All this hand wringing about rust is silly.

If i paid full price I would press for much more than $40 off given the cost of those Kettles. They are basically offering to give you the amount of the shipping they would save, and you paid list price. you are in the drivers seat.

However given the choice up front, i would probably choose to save $ by purchasing a cosmetically imperfect unit.