why not use a alloy brew bot?

[Oakwood]

I have read that stainless is the way to go, but never anywhere saying why not to use an aluminum brew pot. I got one with my burner (but I already have a stainless pot) so I was wondering why not use it?

Still a noob to most of this.

 

[bradsul]

That's because there is no reason not to use it. Search for 'stainless aluminum' and you'll find lots of threads.

 

[Nostrildamus]

There was theories that aluminum could lead to the development of Alzheimer's Disease and now there are studies suggesting the contrary. I myself use SS because I find it cleans up easier but it is considerabley more expensive.

 

[KwaiLo]

I went with stainless as I work at a weld shop, so can add fittings to last.

While aluminum is as weldable as stainless, you won't find nipples or ball valves in aluminum.

Aluminum is cheaper, lighter and easier to find in quantity.

 

[Trencher]

Because the aluminum conducts heat better, you should get your wort boiling faster. This also implies that using an aluminum pot in an ice bath should cool the wort much more quickly than a with stainless pot.

 

[FlyGuy]

Because the aluminum conducts heat better, you should get your wort boiling faster. This also implies that using an aluminum pot in an ice bath should cool the wort much more quickly than a with stainless pot.

Yes, correct on both counts -- for the cooling comment, this is particularly true if you whirlpool the wort in the pot sitting in your ice bath.

 

[HenryHill]

FYI: most metals are alloys-this is a term for a mixture of one or more metals and possibly some other elements, for the purpose of improving desired properties of the finished product.

SS is also an alloy. It contains iron and chromium, and some other things...

Manufacturers like to use this term to give an upscale mystique to their product, such as guns, usually in reference to aluminum. Tool steels are alloys, and so is the silvery part of dimes and quarters; cupronickel.

 

[johnsmith098]

I use SS because I thought it was the prefered alloy!

 

[newell456]

So are there any brew pot materials to avoid?

 

[kenche]

lead brew pots should be avoided if possible

 

[Sean]

Wooden brewpots - not good.

 

[bradsul]

plastic, cement, asbestos = bad

bolognium I hear is pretty much as good as it gets though

 

[newell456]

lead brew pots should be avoided if possible

I saw this line of answers coming right after I posted the question. Sounds like my brewpot made of compressed gun powder will do just fine, though.

 

[ChrisS]

I saw this line of answers coming right after I posted the question. Sounds like my brewpot made of compressed gun powder will do just fine, though.

you only have to worry about the explosive boilovers with that material.

 

[kevinrmclean]

First brewpot I used was made from ice....not good!!

 

[EvilTOJ]

I had a brewpot made with transparant aluminum and ever since I cleaned it I can't find it anywhere!!