What makes a good hot liqour tank brew kettle

[Backwoodsbrewing]

I Have been looking at brew kettles. With the idea of building a hot liquor tank, I know I want a stainless set up 10 or 15 gallon with a ball valve, thermometer and some sort of gauge for keeping track of volume. There are a lot of kettles to choose from. I have found one for under 100 dollars the only flaw I see in it. is that it is somewhat thin. If I had to guess I would say about 16 to 18 gauge with no laminated bottom. Sturdy riveted handles and a decent lid. The only reason I ask is I bought a 15 gallon kettle already. A nice thick one but it was very spendy and left me with buyers remorse. It just doesn't make sense to me to buy a Cadillac kettle to heat water. Any input would be appreciated

 

[SliverXZennon]

Have you thought about a keggle? You will have to do some DIY but you can find a good used (not stolen) keg for $60-80. Hell I got mine free!

With the ball valve and assorted accesories you are looking at $100 or so.

Check out http://www.brewhardware.com/ and/or http://bargainfittings.com/.

 

[runningweird]

i have a three vessel system, all are converted 15.5 gallon kegs. they were cheap -i think I spent under $100 for all three. they work very well.

that being said I wish I had larger vessels, much larger - perhaps even 50+ gallons.

get the largest vessel you can.

 

[insanim8er]

i have a three vessel system, all are converted 15.5 gallon kegs. they were cheap -i think I spent under $100 for all three. they work very well.

that being said I wish I had larger vessels, much larger - perhaps even 50+ gallons.

get the largest vessel you can.

The idea of a 50+ gallon pot is great, but the reality sinks in fast when you already have a 20 gallon Blichmann boiler maker. That pot is HUGE as it is... A 50+ would require serious space dedication.

 

[runningweird]

The idea of a 50+ gallon pot is great, but the reality sinks in fast when you already have a 20 gallon Blichmann boiler maker. That pot is HUGE as it is... A 50+ would require serious space dedication.

55 gallon ss drum seems to have the best footprint. if you have the need you have to make room. I'm trying to piece together what I hope will become a nano in the next three years so I'm looking for whatever I can find.

 

[Backwoodsbrewing]

Have you thought about a keggle? You will have to do some DIY but you can find a good used (not stolen) keg for $60-80. Hell I got mine free! With the ball valve and assorted accesories you are looking at $100 or so. Check out http://www.brewhardware.com/ and/or http://bargainfittings.com/.

I have thought about a keggle but they are hard to find,I haven't seen any in the last year or so. That would be the best option though. Then I could also get the burner I want and the tank as well.

 

[insanim8er]

I have thought about a keggle but they are hard to find,I haven't seen any in the last year or so. That would be the best option though. Then I could also get the burner I want and the tank as well.

Where are you located? It's really easy to convert a pot or keg with the bargainfittings.com weldless kit. A keg just needs the top taken off. If you don't have tools, Harbor freight tools will do the trick for cheaper than buying one built.

 

[Backwoodsbrewing]

Where are you located? It's really easy to convert a pot or keg with the bargainfittings.com weldless kit. A keg just needs the top taken off. If you don't have tools, Harbor freight tools will do the trick for cheaper than buying one built.

i live in north Idaho fitting a keggle is not difficult to do. I'm sure I could do it but finding one is a different story I have been watching Craig's list. Short of getting a full keg and emptying it myself what is a ready source for a keg

 

[SliverXZennon]

i live in north Idaho fitting a keggle is not difficult to do. I'm sure I could do it but finding one is a different story I have been watching Craig's list. Short of getting a full keg and emptying it myself what is a ready source for a keg

Unfortunately with craigslist you have to be REALLY patient, but ready to pounce in a moment's notice.

Of the 3 kegs I found, I paid $40 for the one and it was posted a grand total of 20 minutes on CL. The other was too high of a price and I talked them down to $50. My 3rd was free.

Keep a look out, keggles really are a great option. Sometimes you have to drive a distance to get them also.. which does suck a bit.

 

[insanim8er]

i live in north Idaho fitting a keggle is not difficult to do. I'm sure I could do it but finding one is a different story I have been watching Craig's list. Short of getting a full keg and emptying it myself what is a ready source for a keg

ok so you mean finding the keg. Too bad Idaho is too far away. I'm in Oregon I have a TON of kegs and they're on CL all the time too.

Unfortunately with craigslist you have to be REALLY patient, but ready to pounce in a moment's notice.

Of the 3 kegs I found, I paid $40 for the one and it was posted a grand total of 20 minutes on CL. The other was too high of a price and I talked them down to $50. My 3rd was free.

Keep a look out, keggles really are a great option. Sometimes you have to drive a distance to get them also.. which does suck a bit.

I guess i'm one of the lucky ones... I got a TON of kegs from CL and haven't paid more than $25 for any one of them... I will get the deal then i've resold some for $40 converted some to keggles and resold and kept a bunch... I need to sell some more off to get the room back.

 

[30Bones]

I got my 3 keggles for free from friends. It's not that difficult. Now I just need to cut them and add all the fittings.

 

[insanim8er]

I got my 3 keggles for free from friends. It's not that difficult. Now I just need to cut them and add all the fittings.

That would make them kegs

 

[30Bones]

I was multitasking sorry

 

[Domantori]

Backwoods,
I will have a keggle ready to go this week if your interested. Fittings are Tig welded. Comes with 3 piece ss ball valve and hose barb, thermometer and sight gauge. I will be asking $175 + shipping or local pick up. I live in st.louis. Shipping would be between $40-$65. Let me know if your interested.

 

[Backwoodsbrewing]

Backwoods, I will have a keggle ready to go this week if your interested. Fittings are Tig welded. Comes with 3 piece ss ball valve and hose barb, thermometer and sight gauge. I will be asking $175 + shipping or local pick up. I live in st.louis. Shipping would be between $40-$65. Let me know if your interested.

your not going to believe it minutes after my last post some one local on craigslist has 20 of them for 25 bucks apiece I will get as many as my truck can hold. He said they were golden gate keg shells never heard of golden gate.if the image search I did is accurate. They are made out of metal but are shaped like a traditional wooden beer barrel with no handles. Would these still work

 

[Domantori]

your not going to believe it minutes after my last post some one local on craigslist has 20 of them for 25 bucks apiece I will get as many as my truck can hold. He said they were golden gate keg shells never heard of golden gate.if the image search I did is accurate. They are made out of metal but are shaped like a traditional wooden beer barrel with no handles. Would these still work

Do a search on here on golden gate kegs or hoff Stevens kegs and there are a lot of threads.

 

[insanim8er]

your not going to believe it minutes after my last post some one local on craigslist has 20 of them for 25 bucks apiece I will get as many as my truck can hold. He said they were golden gate keg shells never heard of golden gate.if the image search I did is accurate. They are made out of metal but are shaped like a traditional wooden beer barrel with no handles. Would these still work

Ya you don't want the golden gate kegs... They're the big barrel kind not the straight side. They also have bung holes on the side of them.

But if you do get some and need a tap for it, I have a couple ... One is still in the package.

 

[Backwoodsbrewing]

What a drag guess I'm back to square one maybe northern brewer is the way to go

 

[SliverXZennon]

Would you be willing to pay for shipping if I can source a few 1/2 barrels for you? I know a few around here on my craigslist has some. I could also cut the tops off if you want, no charge.

I have ZERO idea how much shipping would be but I'm sure it wouldn't be cheap.

 

[Backwoodsbrewing]

Would you be willing to pay for shipping if I can source a few 1/2 barrels for you? I know a few around here on my craigslist has some. I could also cut the tops off if you want, no charge. I have ZERO idea how much shipping would be but I'm sure it wouldn't be cheap.

thanks for the effort I went and bought a kettle and burner from northern brewer now I have a a two burner system and a 15 gallon hot liquor tank

 

[SliverXZennon]

thanks for the effort I went and bought a kettle and burner from northern brewer now I have a a two burner system and a 15 gallon hot liquor tank

Very cool! Not a problem. Enjoy!