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− | + | You have two option when it come to large brew pots: Aluminum and Stainless Steel. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. | |
+ | Aluminum is cheaper and will heat your water/wort much faster. It is also lighter but in the long run probably will not last as long. | ||
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+ | Stainless steel is easier to clean and should last longer than you. | ||
==Fittings and Accessories== | ==Fittings and Accessories== |
Revision as of 05:23, 13 November 2007
The brew kettle or brew pot is the vessel in which the wort is boiled. It is typically made from aluminium, stainless steel, or enameled steel.
Contents
Choosing a Brew Kettle
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Size
The size of brew kettle that you need depends on your batch size and whether you are doing a partial boil or a full wort boil. Calculate the amount of liquid you will be boiling, bearing in mind that because of evaporation and absorption you will need a larger boil volume than your batch size, and then add a substantial margin to allow for error and to minimize boilovers. For a five gallon batch (requiring a 5.5. to 6 gallon full wort boil), homebrewers usually use 30 to 40 quart (7.5 to 10 gallon) brew kettle.
Material
You have two option when it come to large brew pots: Aluminum and Stainless Steel. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Aluminum is cheaper and will heat your water/wort much faster. It is also lighter but in the long run probably will not last as long.
Stainless steel is easier to clean and should last longer than you.
Fittings and Accessories
Some home brewers use brew kettles with special features designed specifically for brewing, such as spigots, built-in thermometers, or integrated electric heating elements.
Welded and Weldless Fittings
The most secure way to attach a fitting that passes through the side wall of the brew kettle, such as the probe for a thermometer or spigot, is to weld it directly to the metal brew kettle or attach it to a threaded pipe fitting that is welded to the kettel. Brew kettles that come with these fixtures already installed are often made this way.
However, for homebrewers who want to modify existing kettles but who are not able to or prefer not to install their own welded fittings, weldless fittings are also available. These allow a brewer to install a fitting by installing a tight fitting on the inside and outside of the pot, meaning that all the brewer has to do is drill a hole of the appropriate size.
Spigots
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Thermometers
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False bottoms
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Heating elements
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Making Your Own Brew Kettle
Some home brewers make their own brew kettles from discarded kegs; these are known as keggles. See the Keggle page for more information, including information on how to make your own.