What would you do?

EnzoPynn · Feb 17, 2013

so, as im now transitioning from solely kit beers to doing extract recipies and in the near future BIAB im in need of a kettle setup. I'm an engineering student so i don't have all the money in the world to spend on this but that being said i also don't want to waste my money and wish i bought something else in a year.

There are as i see it three options:

1. Canadian Tire: This is a 9gal aluminum turkey fryer set which comes with the pot, a 41000btu burner, thermometer and a strainer basket which would be useful for BIAB. This option is only $101 with tax but its aluminum, only a small burner and no ports on the pot for a ball valve etc...

2. Get this 60000 btu burner and this pot from OntarioBeerKegs. This comes to approximately $210 with tax and shipping when you include the thermometer and 3 piece ball valve on the kettle. Considerably more but its better in every way.

3. The same 60000 btu burner and the 15gal pot from OBK. This comes to approximately 250$ with tax and shipping again including the thermometer and valve.

What would you do? I don't want to have a kettle that's so big that it cant realistically do a BIAB or that has ports that lie above the water level when its filled for a 5gal batch. I also don't want to worry about boil overs in a 9 gallon like i have in the past.

Your opinions are greatly appreciated! :mug:

PS. im located in Newfoundland, Canada

RM-MN · Feb 17, 2013

I do 5 gallon batches BIAB in a 7 1/2 gallon pot and haven't had a boil over yet. If you are boiling over in a 9 gallon pot you aren't paying attention when you near the boil and turning down the heat. I use a thermometer immersed in the wort to let me know when I am nearing the boiling point. Some people use a spray bottle with water to help keep the hot break from boiling over.

I'd probably go with the smaller pot but upgrade the burner to one with higher output. You may be able to recover part of the cost by selling the smaller burner too.

stikks · Feb 17, 2013

I`m not sure about that model kettle,but I use a 16 gal. Bayou classic with spigot and therm.The therm is set at 4 gal line.I usually always make 5 to 6 gal batches
and it works out great.The thing with the bigger kettle you do have the option of BIAB and 10 gallon batches down the road and wont regret having bought a
smaller kettle. -just my thoughts-

Cheers

GrogNerd · Feb 17, 2013

I would go with #2, but save a couple bucks and get one of their other valves instead of the 3-piece. which is a nice valve, they look cool and all, but 2-piece works just as well. also that site the 2-piece includes a barb, not sure comes with the 3-piece

unionrdr · Feb 17, 2013

It's easy to tell when the hot break is getting ready to start. A thin layer of foam starts to creep over the entire surface of the wort. When it completely covers it,thar she blowes. Start stiring while it's just starting to form. That has headed it of for me most of the time.