Should I pimp my kettle?

[blackonblack]

I picked up a 12 gallon aluminum kettle on Craigslist for $15 . Cleaned it and re conditioned it and I love it! Heats and cools very quickly compared to my stainless 8 gallon.

Now, I'm trying to remove hassle on my brew day. I hate siphoning the chilled wort in to the fermenter. Takes forever and I just find it annoying.

So I'm thinking about adding a stainless ball valve weld less type . However ill likely have to buy another gadget to strain the hops . The valve will save me time and convenience but it seems id have to buy one of those stainless hop strainers "hop spider" . The bazooka screen doesn't seem like it works as well.

Is the cost worth time and convenience?

 

[Hello]

Yes. Totally.

Should you use the words "pimp my kettle" again? No.

 

[LandoLincoln]

Yes, a valve / dip tube combo is very much worth it.

I'd also recommend a sight glass / thermometer combo. Brewhardware.com sells them.

 

[TNugent]

If you whirlpool after cooling you should be able to keep most the crud out of your fermenter without a hop spider/bazooka screen although using one would be even better.

 

[blackonblack]

I don't really want to have to buy a pump just yet. Whirpooling isn't something I'm super ready to try

 

[eric19312]

You can whirlpool with a spoon pretty well.

+1 on the valve especially in a 15gal pot.
+1 on sight glass - very handy
thermometer is also nice if you are chilling with immersion chiller or get really antsy waiting for the boil.