New to All Grain - Brew Kettle Recommendation Needed

[m00ps]

For what its worth after all the suggestions, I do 5gal BIAB batches in an 8gal 2-weld pot I purchased from Adventures in Homebrewing. It has a temp gauge and ball valve which are ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY IMO. I can pick the thing up full, but bringing it to shoulder height and gently setting on the stove/counter is pretty much impossible alone.

I've used it over 70 times in the past year and its holding up great. I might advise springing for 10gal since my brews which clock in at 10% are pretty much at the top of the kettle at mashing.

Though those 8-10 gal Megapot on sale at NB look to be more robust. I'd recommend that since they are $50 off. Definitely worth it to go All-Grain

 

[StLouBrew]

Big time thanks to all that have posted :rockin: Here are my take-aways:

• Size matters.. I'm now leaning toward a 15 gal pot
• I want a valve... now the big question is buying one that has it installed or do I go DIY? The notion of drilling a hole into something I just shelled out some decent coin to get makes me nervous, but I'm reasonably handy.
• I also want a volume gauge. Since I don't plan on using this as a MLT or HLT, I'd take that over a thermometer. Again... how difficult/risky is the DIY route?
• As with everything else in brewing... patience. As much as I'd love to crank out an all grain batch this weekend, I should think this through and make sure I get someting I'm going to be happy with over the long haul.
• Barter anyone?? I have a TON of Southwest miles. If anyone would like to trade a good 15 gal brew kettle for a round trip flight... lemme know

 

[Beernik]

If money is tight, get the pot without the thermometer or valve and add them when you have the funds. All you need is a drill and a step bit for drilling stainless.

And a valve may mean that you also need a dip tube. I'm in the process of installing one in my keggle. If I don't add a dip tube, I'll leave almost 2 gallons behind in the dome below the valve.

 

[Justdrumin]

I just bought this bad boy on eBay for $65 shipped. It's stainless, 70 quarts (17.5 gallons), and seems great to me! Just came in the mail today, so I can't comment too much. Here's the link if you're interested.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-JARHILL-70-QT-410-0-95mm-Stainless-Steel-Stock-Pot-Brew-Kettle-w-dents-/261635555347?pt=Cookware&hash=item3ceab1c013

 

[danorocks17]

I used a 30qt aluminum stock pot for a while, which worked but i needed to have fermcaps on hand at all times. I upgraded to a heavy duty aluminum pot from Sams Club that cost about 65 bucks. Go with a 10 gal pot for sure.

 

[b-boy]

Big time thanks to all that have posted :rockin: Here are my take-aways:

• Size matters.. I'm now leaning toward a 15 gal pot
• I want a valve... now the big question is buying one that has it installed or do I go DIY? The notion of drilling a hole into something I just shelled out some decent coin to get makes me nervous, but I'm reasonably handy.
• I also want a volume gauge. Since I don't plan on using this as a MLT or HLT, I'd take that over a thermometer. Again... how difficult/risky is the DIY route?
• As with everything else in brewing... patience. As much as I'd love to crank out an all grain batch this weekend, I should think this through and make sure I get someting I'm going to be happy with over the long haul.
• Barter anyone?? I have a TON of Southwest miles. If anyone would like to trade a good 15 gal brew kettle for a round trip flight... lemme know

DIY is easy and cheap.

You can get a weldless kits for a valve and sightglass at bargainfittings.com or brewhardware.com. I have several. They were easy to install and I've never had a leak in 3 years. I have thermometers too. I barely use them.

All you need is a drill, a step bit, drilling oil, and the will to punch a big hole into something you just bought.

 

[binabik]

Here's a 10 Gallon on Overstock for $165.99. No false bottom, but it have the thermometer and ball valve.

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garde...efccid=FC5QA6EBXZNL5G2NKJQS63EHFY&searchidx=6

 

[binabik]

The same kettle with the false bottom and screen on Amazon is $225.98
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009SKU4PE/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[brewkinger]

DIY is easy and cheap.



You can get a weldless kits for a valve and sightglass at bargainfittings.com or brewhardware.com. I have several. They were easy to install and I've never had a leak in 3 years. I have thermometers too. I barely use them.



All you need is a drill, a step bit, drilling oil, and the will to punch a big hole into something you just bought.

Agree with the above and second the brewhardware.com bump.
BobbyM is a member here and I have never had an issue with his stuff and his customer service is phenomenal.

I have a ball valve, bulkhead and 90 degree elbow installed in my kettle with no problems. He even has a series of YouTube videos that take you step by step to the correct drilling of a kettle.

As far sight glass are concerned, I chose not to because it is one extra item on the outside of the kettle and it just makes me nervous about snapping it off.

I prefer to use a plastic dowel that has graduated markings in half gallon increments that I custom made for my kettles.

YMMV


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[30Bones]

I had sight glasses in my HLT and BK on my B10 setup and liked them, no issues. This new "basic setup" will only have a ball valve, maybe a thermometer. I made a sight glass last night out of a spare piece of a dowel I use on my hop spider. Obviously I am in K.I.S.S. mode

 

[binabik]

The 10 Gal Megapot on sale now with the false bottom, ball valve and thermometer is $309.98. So, you've got plenty of choices. I bought an 8 Gallon pot and brewed a Christmas beer with 19 lbs of grain and it did not fit in with the water. I would definitly get a 10 Gallon. I am also in the market for one, but don't want to spend the $300 for the megapot. If price is an issue, go with what you can afford and modify it down the line. You don't need the false bottom or ball valve, but it will make your brew day easier. IMO

 

[m00ps]

I love how many people are still suggesting 8 and 10 gal kettles when the OP has made it clear he needs a 15gal. No one likes to read the conversation before flinging their first opinion out into the internet...

 

[brewkinger]

I love how many people are still suggesting 8 and 10 gal kettles when the OP has made it clear he needs a 15gal. No one likes to read the conversation before flinging their first opinion out into the internet...

Come on now m00ps....



In post #1, OP stated that he was looking for 9 gal kettle (5.5 gallon batches)



Then in post #32, OP changed mind to 15 gal kettle based on supplied data.



Since that point:



Posts #33,36,39,40 and 42 (yours) made no mention of a 10 gallon kettle AND post #34 specifically referred to a 17.5 gallon kettle.



Posts 35,37,38 and 41 did mention 10 gal kettle

(and 3 of those posts were from the same person)



So I will fling some information now.



10 posts since the OP changed their mind:



40% of them were guilty of your concern (and 3 out of 4 of them were from the same person)



60% of them were on topic but not mentioning 10 gal kettles (4 made no mention of kettles, 1 mentioned 17.5 gal kettle, not one mentioned buying an 8 gallon kettle and 1 accused a number of people of not reading completely)



So the number of people that have not read thoroughly and are flinging their first opinion out there without reading is 3 (and one of them seems to be you)

Much like yourself who has slightly over 100 posts in the last month, some people have a difficult time getting accustomed to forum skills and etiquette.

Give people a chance to do the right thing and you might just be amazed.



I can promise you one thing m00ps, if you keep making crazy a$$ posts that accuse HBT users of lacking skills and intelligence, you are gonna earn friends real slow around here. This is a kind and gentle place that people come to learn and get better at brewing and other things. You can harm more people than you help in very short order.



Let's just all get along and learn.... Kinder and gentler works in this case, like this:



m00ps stated " In case no one else has noticed, allow me to get everyone back on track. The OP has changed their mind and is now interested in 15 gallon kettles"

 

[bbohanon]

Find a keggle. I've been using the same one for nearly 20 years.

This.
Love mine and would not trade it for the world. Fits on any and all outdoor propane burners well and is just cool as hell to brew on.
Works for both 5G and 10G batches(even thought I know 15gallon batches were mentioned). I have a thermo and valve on mine as well. I plan on picking up 2 more keggles this Feb to have a full keggle setup(MLT/HLT/BK) and then my single tier brewstand construction with pumps will begin.

 

[yeahfairly]

OP.... go to Adventures in Home brewing's web site and look at their brew kettles. They have some good entry level pots with two sanitary welds for one of the better prices I have ever seen. You can slap on a ball valve and thermometer and still come in below $200.

 

[jbb3]

Come on now m00ps....

40% of them were guilty of your concern (and 3 out of 4 of them were from the same person)

60% of them were on topic but not mentioning 10 gal kettles (4 made no mention of kettles, 1 mentioned 17.5 gal kettle, not one mentioned an 8 gallon kettle and 1 accused a number of people of not reading completely)

da-da, da-da, da-da, da-da, Stat Man!!!!

Go Stat Man go!!!

 

[brewkinger]

da-da, da-da, da-da, da-da, Stat Man!!!!



Go Stat Man go!!!

Thank you... Thank you. I'm here every Thursday and don't forget to tip your waitress or waiter.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[JayDubWill]

Come on now m00ps....



In post #1, OP stated that he was looking for 9 gal kettle (5.5 gallon batches)



Then in post #32, OP changed mind to 15 gal kettle based on supplied data.



Since that point:



Posts #33,36,39,40 and 42 (yours) made no mention of a 10 gallon kettle AND post #34 specifically referred to a 17.5 gallon kettle.



Posts 35,37,38 and 41 did mention 10 gal kettle

(and 3 of those posts were from the same person)



So I will fling some information now."

Never piss off a CPA.

 

[brewkinger]

Never piss off a CPA.

Chuckle chuckle....
Not pissed off, just alarmed that someone would make such a hypocritical accusation of "flinging"


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[TexasWine]

[*]I also want a volume gauge. Since I don't plan on using this as a MLT or HLT, I'd take that over a thermometer. Again... how difficult/risky is the DIY route?

Have you seen this thread yet? You might not want a level gauge.

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

 

[runkelia]

These guys are down the road from me, they have everything.

http://www.homebrewing.org/155-Gallon-Inline-2-weld-Kettle_p_5026.html

 

[chisena]

HOLD ON, PEOPLE!!!

Your recommendations are all over the board.

My 15G recommendation only comes from the fact that for many, this hobby tends to grow and you may find a tiny 7.5G pot too small for your aspirations in the future. I am still using all 10G vessels and wish I had at least one 15G although it's not a big deal for me either. 10G is totally manageable for my brews.

Get a pot with a valve for crying out loud. I don't care who you are, lifting/moving/pouring hot wort is dangerous and well, dumb.

Volume markings and site gauges I can live without... Personally.

 

[jtratcliff]

Make your own volume markings:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/how-add-permanent-volume-markings-kettle-illustrated-463099/

 

[yukonhijack]

This.
Love mine and would not trade it for the world. Fits on any and all outdoor propane burners well and is just cool as hell to brew on.
Works for both 5G and 10G batches(even thought I know 15gallon batches were mentioned). I have a thermo and valve on mine as well. I plan on picking up 2 more keggles this Feb to have a full keggle setup(MLT/HLT/BK) and then my single tier brewstand construction with pumps will begin.

I third this. I picked up my first keggle (you have to cut the top off and install a weldless valve, but that is easy!), for a 6 pack of home brew in trade. I am picking up my second today that I found on Craigslist for $25 bux and will convert it to a HLT.

 

[30Bones]

This.
Love mine and would not trade it for the world. Fits on any and all outdoor propane burners well and is just cool as hell to brew on.
Works for both 5G and 10G batches(even thought I know 15gallon batches were mentioned). I have a thermo and valve on mine as well. I plan on picking up 2 more keggles this Feb to have a full keggle setup(MLT/HLT/BK) and then my single tier brewstand construction with pumps will begin.

Keggle didn't fit on my turkey fryer burner. Granted it was just to see if it could, not to actually teeter something that large on something that small.

Keggles are cheap and work fine. Keggles are also heavy and bulky as fawk.

IMHO get a good quality 15gal kettle and enjoy. Spend as little as possible (I am waiting on a Jarhill for $53 shipped with dings) or as much as you wish and enjoy your brew day and have an easier kettle to clean

 

[StLouBrew]

Coming (once again) to the realization that size matters, I did go with a 15 gal. brewpot from Polar Ware. It was $119 at my LHBS. Just a basic stainless steel pot (for now). Given the that I was *this* close to becoming the proud father of a bouncing baby hernia when trying to lift and move this beast with a full 5.5 gallons of wort, I will likely DIY myself a ball valve.

It has graduated markings, but I also added a gallon of water at a time and made markings on my stir paddle - no need for a sight glass at this time. The only issue I had with the kettle itself is that it had this big-ass label on it that was a pain in the ass to peel off. I contacted the Polar Ware about this and they have since started using a different adhesive.

Anyway, thanks to all who contributed. Without your advice I would have very likely gone with a 10 gal kettle and would have wished I had more. Now it's all about getting a process down. I kind of fumbled my way through my first AG brew (Spotted Cow clone), but I think it's going to turn out fine. Doing my next one today. Again.. THANKS to everyone. :rockin:

Cheers

 

[DrunkleJon]

The only issue I had with the kettle itself is that it had this big-ass label on it that was a pain in the ass to peel off.

With stubborn labels, I find WD-40 works really well to get off leftover adhesive.

 

[hottpeper13]

I went to an induction burner and need the tri ply bottom and have sent 7- 15 gal kettles back for rust at the weld seam. they were,2 Mega pots,1 Tall Boy,and 3 bayou classic(the 4th one is the best so far) I am at my wits end. Any SS 1.2 ratio out there without rust spots?