thin pot: What are the problems... and a proposed solution?

[Zymurgrafi]

In my never ending quest to find the right brew pot and burner setup for me I am currently considering this

Now based on the reviews there and a couple I have read on this forum it would seem it is a fairly thin stainlesss steel pot. Now from what I can tell the concern in this is scorching? I have a thin 5 gallon stainless pot that I have been using and have not experienced any problems. However, I am still using my stovetop (propane) and not a high output burner.

So, is scorching the only problem? If so I have an idea and want to now what folks think of it. I have this rather thick aluminum serving tray that I was going to pitch anyways since we never use it. I was thinking if I traced the footprint of this pot on it and then cut a disk to size out of the aluminum... voila. Heat diffuser/conducter!

Yes? No, bad idea?

 

[tbulger]

I use the 44qt version of this pot. It is pretty thin, but i have never worried about scorching or anything. It has worked well for me so far with no problems. It is pretty easy to figure out the mix of air and propane to get a nice light boil i set it and pretty much leave it alone for an hour.

 

[raceskier]

I just moved my very thin gauge pot from a gas stove top to an outdoor propane turkey fryer burner. I didn't notice any scorching on my first brew. I just aquired a higher pressure regulator for more heat output from the burner and will try it this weekend. I believe most of the scorching issues have been related to electric stovetops. In that case your heat input is restricted to the much smaller surface area of the electric elements. The gas flame diffuses the heat across a much larger surface area immediately. You might possibly have some warpage issues with the aluminum.

 

[FlyGuy]

I used to use a fairly thin SS pot, and I had scorching problems with extract brews. So I would offer that caution is in order when heating the pot.

Regarding the aluminum plate idea, it is a great one. John Palmer actually advocates this as a very easy and effective solution for just the situation that you are in. Definitely do it!

 

[Zymurgrafi]

I used to use a fairly thin SS pot, and I had scorching problems with extract brews. So I would offer that caution is in order when heating the pot.

Regarding the aluminum plate idea, it is a great one. John Palmer actually advocates this as a very easy and effective solution for just the situation that you are in. Definitely do it!

Well, this is for my AG transition so is scorching less of an issue with a full wort AG boil?
I know this pot is pretty small for a full boil but it is a start and will hopeful get me through for a while until I can save for one of these

currently all unavailable anyways....

 

[Zymurgrafi]

John Palmer actually advocates this as a very easy and effective solution for just the situation that you are in. Definitely do it!

Can you point to the reference of this? I cannot find it on How to brew.

 

[FlyGuy]

Can you point to the reference of this? I cannot find it on How to brew.

Sure -- I will look for it when I get home. It might be in the third edition of his book, I can't quite remember. I might have also heard him mention this in an interview, but I don't think so. I will post back later (it might take me a few days as I am travelling this weekend).

 

[FlyGuy]

Well, this is for my AG transition so is scorching less of an issue with a full wort AG boil?

Yep, I would say so. Extracts are prone to scorching (especially liquid extract) because all those heavy sugars sink to the bottom of the pot right away, and you gotta stir well to get them mixed. Plus, the wort is typically more concentrated (many don't do a full boil), adding to the problem.

And if you are buying a SS pot, the ones with a 'sandwich' bottom are the best ones. Typically, there is a layer of copper or aluminum in the bottom to help distribute the heat more evenly. Or just use the aluminum plate idea that you mentioned above if scorching becomes an issue.

 

[FlyGuy]

Can you point to the reference of this? I cannot find it on How to brew.

Sure -- I will look for it when I get home. It might be in the third edition of his book, I can't quite remember. I might have also heard him mention this in an interview, but I don't think so. I will post back later (it might take me a few days as I am travelling this weekend).

Well, I looked through both Palmer's second and third edition books, and couldn't find the reference. Sorry. I must have heard it in an interview. It was probably from a podcast on BasicBrewing.com, but I didn't have time to go back through them. Sorry.

 

[Zymurgrafi]

thanks for looking anyways, I appreciate it!

I ordered a different pot/burner still thin (I am assuming, have not seen it yet)

But I will give it a go. Thanks again!

 

[david_42]

The aluminum diffuser is a good idea, some of the very best cookware has a layer of aluminum in the bottom. I used a perforated steel diffuser with my original turkey pot.

 

[veganbrewer]

I have the 44 quart version, and I've had no scorching issues so far. Works great, but I wouldn't try to move it when full.

 

[abracadabra]

You could use a pizza stone as a diffuser

 

[GoatFarmersInternational]

I use the 44qt version of this pot. It is pretty thin, but i have never worried about scorching or anything. It has worked well for me so far with no problems. It is pretty easy to figure out the mix of air and propane to get a nice light boil i set it and pretty much leave it alone for an hour.

I also use the 44Qt version. I like it; the pot is a little thin but not bad at all. No problems with scorching, comes to a boil pretty quick, and it was cheap.

 

[Beerrific]

Well, I looked through both Palmer's second and third edition books, and couldn't find the reference. Sorry. I must have heard it in an interview. It was probably from a podcast on BasicBrewing.com, but I didn't have time to go back through them. Sorry.

I remember this too. I think it was in the interview. Can't remember the exact context but I am pretty sure he was talking about direct fire mashing. Same idea though.