DIY Brew Kettle out of a SS Pot?

[Cacaman]

I have seen a lot of these kettles on ebay and amazon:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/32-QT-ECONO...852?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e673c7764

And I am wondering if its possible to just buy a pot and DIY (and potentially save $$)

I've looked for guides but have failed to find one, they are only for 15 gallon commercial keg conversions.

Anyone ever tried this and had any luck?

 

[JimiGibbs]

I looked at that same one but decided to go with a 10 gallon with a sight glass. If you go to their website the freight was less for me......
Jimi

 

[Cacaman]

How much did you end up spending Jimi? I was thinking of buying one of these heavy duty SS pots:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00267Q3JW/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

..and doing it myself..of course if it involves saving

 

[Monstar]

If you are looking to save money, you could always go aluminum!

 

[Cacaman]

I wouldn't mind going aluminum. The only thing with aluminum would be using all parts that don't require welding. However, I still need to find a build or guide to light the path

 

[JimiGibbs]

How much did you end up spending Jimi?

Way more than that..... After a few IPA's the other night I broke down and ordered a Blichmann BoilerMaker.
Jimi

 

[mdgagne]

I just picked up a bayou ss pot, 62 qt but they have a range of sizes. Free 2 day shipping if you have amazon prime..., i think its free shipping without prime membership as well. I also bought a weldless spigot and pickuo tube from bargainfittings.com. Total price comes in around $150 for a 15.5 gal kettle.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009JXYUA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

htpp://www.bargaunfittings.com

 

[Varroa]

I bought myself a 40 quart/10 gallon commercial aluminum restaurant pot and just used weldless fittings on it. The walls are 1/4 inch thick and it is bomb proof! Since it is aluminum I was able to get a bigger size pot vs SS for the same price and I don't regret it. The extra size is worth it.

 

[Monstar]

I wouldn't mind going aluminum. The only thing with aluminum would be using all parts that don't require welding. However, I still need to find a build or guide to light the path

Ah, right!

 

[terrapinj]

i just bought a 42qt SS pot from Farmhouse brewing - $80 after shipping

http://www.farmhousebrewingsupply.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=141

62qt is $105 before tax
http://www.farmhousebrewingsupply.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=140

i plan on getting a weldless spigot and diptube for it

 

[Bartp]

also, you live in texas so I'm sure you can find a flea Market somewhere. I picked up a 44 quart aluminum stock pot for $25. Makes an awesome brew kettle. You can also check out Mexican markets.

 

[CidahMastah]

I wouldn't mind going aluminum. The only thing with aluminum would be using all parts that don't require welding. However, I still need to find a build or guide to light the path

weldless fittings:
1. work great
2. easy to install
3. cost effective

Not sure what the hang up is there?


JimiGibbs - you won't regret the blichmann. My buddy bought one for our shared system - thought he was wasting money but boy was I wrong. We have hte 15G MT with false bottom. Works great, consistently.

 

[Monstar]

weldless fittings:
1. work great
2. easy to install
3. cost effective
Not sure what the hang up is there?

Well put. A couple washers and a ball valve.

 

[Cacaman]

also, you live in texas so I'm sure you can find a flea Market somewhere. I picked up a 44 quart aluminum stock pot for $25. Makes an awesome brew kettle. You can also check out Mexican markets.

Yup. Flea markets left and right around here. In fact, last week i found a 30qt aluminum pot with lid at H-E-B (grocery store) for $20. I'm a little reluctant on buying aluminum though, because my mom said she's burn't through some of those pots in the past with a simple stove during long boils, and considering the fact the I'm using a propane burner might make things worse (I don't know how true this is but why risk spending double in the long run?)

In addition to the weldless fittings, I want to slap a thermometer on there as well, if anyone knows where to get one at a reasonable price

 

[CanadianQuaffer]

I bought myself a 40 quart/10 gallon commercial aluminum restaurant pot and just used weldless fittings on it. The walls are 1/4 inch thick and it is bomb proof! Since it is aluminum I was able to get a bigger size pot vs SS for the same price and I don't regret it. The extra size is worth it.

Where did you get it? I live in Ottawa too and am looking for 3 pots about that size.

 

[Varroa]

Russel Restaurant supply on Preston street. When I got mine the pot was around $85 and the lids are another $15 or so so I think it came to just over $110 with all taxes in.