Steam kettle questions and help

akthor · Sep 23, 2015

So I have a chance at 2 Groen steam kettles for pennies on the dollar for what they normally go for. One is a 30 gallon Natural gas one. The other a 40 gallon propane one. $400 for the 30 and $600 for the 40. Problem is I have no way to test if they work or not. I get the "they were working when pulled from service" line. The 40 has been stored outside for awhile by the looks of it. They sell working natural gas ones for $3 - 4K inside so you'd have to assume this one was non working and why its outside??

My question if these need fixing is it something that can be done? They don't seem like overly complicated machines?

I just don't want to end up with a 500 lb boat anchor.

SmokeyMcBong · Sep 23, 2015

If its industrial kitchen steam jacketed kettles that you're talking about then, yes, they would be repairable. Unless the jacket has a hole in it, everything else should be replaceable. The repairs could be spendy though depending on whats wrong.

My guess is that they'd work fine. I've been in kitchens for almost 20 years and have only seen one that wasn't working right. And that was just a bad t-stat which would keep the kettle on max no matter what the knob setting.

Sconnie12 · Sep 23, 2015

Why not just buy a regular stainless kettle for less money than that? It's overkill x10 to have a steam jacket kettle on that scale. And if/when something breaks it's going to cost $$$ to fix.

akthor · Sep 24, 2015

I am going bigger I want to go to a 1bbl brewery. Planned on it being electric. One of those steam kettles costs way less than the pot, the elements, the control system. Plus the cost of modifying my wiring to have 240v power. I already have a propane dryer and hot water heater so the LP plumbing is already there.

That's the only attraction the HUGE cost savings. Everything else is bad, they weigh 500+ pounds, might need repair, I'm not even sure they will fit thru a normal house doorway. The 30 gal is cheaper and might have more chance of working but its 30 gal. The 40 gal is more the size I want but I think more likely to need repair.

These things are like $15,000 new. I think I'm just attracted to IF and its a big IF I got one that works for such a low cost it would be the deal of the century!

I think I need to be realistic and just let these go.....unless one of the sellers can prove theirs works

Stealthcruiser · Sep 24, 2015

Whats to check to see if it works?
Other than the integrity of the jacket, can you not check the burners with a Propane tank?

If outside a long time, and not properly "winterized", there might be some leaks.