MichaelSterling
Active Member
Brew pots people. what are the pros and cons of each. and where is a good place to get one.
Stainless VS. Aluminum
- Thread starter MichaelSterling
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I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but do a quick search here. There are over 9000 topics about that, all of them ending up as both are fine. I use an aluminum pot, it was much cheaper and it works just the same.
dandw12786
Well-Known Member
I got an aluminum pot at sams... they have a 40qt one for 40 bucks after shipping. Nobody will ever convince me of any practical reason to use stainless steel over aluminum (other than the fact that it looks better, which it does), but the topic has been discussed to death (there's even a sticky somewhere here, I think on the equipment boards), so if you're looking for more in depth info, check that out.
i brew in both. depends on what step i'm doing, and the temp outside
nikkormat
Well-Known Member
have both, use both. my aluminum is a better diameter for the boil IMO, I have to use two burners on my lame ass stove and my SS pot doesn't cover both of them as well as my aluminum does
SwampassJ
Well-Known Member
Check Home Depot and Lowes. I look every time I go through the store to see if anything is on clearance. I picked up a a 100Quart Bayou Classic for $40 dollars and a 60Quart Brinkman for $36? dollars. Also found a 32Quart Tamale steamer at Sears for $32 dollars.
FatherJack
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I'm a fan of aluminum. As a thermal conductor, aluminum moves heat in much faster during the boil and then after the boil it loses heat much faster than stainless.
Also, my wallet doesn't burn up as quickly when using aluminum, it's much more economical.
As far as aluminum killing me, I don't worry about it too much. I'm sure there's some other hysteria out there that's much more dangerous than aluminum.
Also, my wallet doesn't burn up as quickly when using aluminum, it's much more economical.
As far as aluminum killing me, I don't worry about it too much. I'm sure there's some other hysteria out there that's much more dangerous than aluminum.
TheCarnie
Well-Known Member
Search for it, I think I have read 100 threads that are titled the same, and seen 1000 of them. This might be the most repeated topic besides the "oops" threads.
Rather than let this stupidity go any further, here's all you need to know https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/faq-aluminum-pots-boil-kettles-49449/
It's a sticky for a reason.
It's a sticky for a reason.
jkreuze
Well-Known Member
I'm going to brew in an aluminum pot
. .
as soon as I find one big enough.
Until then I'm brewing in my kitchen
SwampassJ
Well-Known Member
If you're looking in department stores you won't find crap. Sometimes you can get lucky and find a 30 or 32quart pot being sold as a turkey fryer. Try bass pro, HD or Lowes. You can also try Sams Club (Costco or BJs if you have those). I know sams is pretty good prices online for aluminum pots.
I tried everywhere but those places. LOL
Thanks for the Sams tip 32 quart should do the job - now I just have to find someone with a membership. I wonder if Costco has them in-store (I have a membership there).
Nova5
Well-Known Member
if you do 5 gal, ensure the pot you have is 7 gallons at least. that gives you the space for boiloff of water (final will be 5, you start higher) and thermal expansion as you heat it the water mass gets bigger (not much but it does). Also with alum, do a full pot boil for i think 30 minutes to build up the protective layer. then toss that water (wait for it to cool!)
Thanks for the tip. I was wondering how big to go.
SwampassJ
Well-Known Member
Check Costco online.
I started with a 32 quart and I hated having to watch it like a hawk. I say go for a 40quart (I get a **** ton of boil off on a 60 for 5 gallon batches).
