[flbrewer]

I've scoured the web and can't settle on anything. Can anyone share their experience with a 5 gallon SS brew kettle? Thanks for your time.

[klickitat jim]

Best price I've seen is at yakimavalleyhops.com $31

"Friends don't let friends drink bad beer"

[wactuary]

Just to be clear, are you looking for a brew kettle for 5 gallon batches, or a 5 gallon brew kettle for maybe 3 gallon batches? 

[flbrewer]

Just to be clear, are you looking for a brew kettle for 5 gallon batches, or a 5 gallon brew kettle for maybe 3 gallon batches?

I'm looking for a 5 gallon brew kettle for 5 gallon batches, BUT I'll only be doing partial boils of 3 gallons.
Thanks!

[flbrewer]

Best price I've seen is at yakimavalleyhops.com $31

"Friends don't let friends drink bad beer"

Not bad at all, but I'm not terribly concerned with price. Just want it to be quality SS, and last me a while.

[HoosierBrew]

Gotta say, if $$ is really not a big obstacle, I would go for an 8 gallon SS pot, so that you can full wort boil,ie., not have to dilute afterward. 3 good reasons   :     1. Better hop utilization
                                                                                     2. Eliminate excessive darkening of your wort
                                                                                     3. Better overall beer.

[klickitat jim]

That sounds vaguely familiar

"Friends don't let friends drink bad beer"

[quattlebaum]

Are you brewing on a stove top or outdoor camp chef type burner?  If out door burner I would do a google search on a 36 qt bayou classic SS pot around $70. That's what I started on. I would suggest you buy a pot that is at least this size for full boils.  If you have no choice but to do partial boils on the stove top indoors they have 24 qt also. Great quality SS

[flbrewer]

Gotta say, if $$ is really not a big obstacle, I would go for an 8 gallon SS pot, so that you can full wort boil,ie., not have to dilute afterward. 3 good reasons   :     1. Better hop utilization
                                                                                     2. Eliminate excessive darkening of your wort
                                                                                     3. Better overall beer.

At that point though, I would think I would be moving outside with a propane range. Not an issue, just getting clarity.

[klickitat jim]

Right, so might as well go 15 gallon so you can do ten gallon batches. But then you'll need a conical fermentor with temp control

I'd make beer in a cheap five gallon pot first. You can always repurpose it later when you expand. I use my old brew pot as a hot liquor tank now.

"Friends don't let friends drink bad beer"

[flbrewer]

Right, so might as well go 15 gallon so you can do ten gallon batches. But then you'll need a conical fermentor with temp control

I'd make beer in a cheap five gallon pot first. You can always repurpose it later when you expand. I use my old brew pot as a hot liquor tank now.

"Friends don't let friends drink bad beer"

5 Gallon inside or on a propane range? Can I just send you my credit card and you can pick up the preferred items? 

[klickitat jim]

I appreciate the trust but... it would get there faster if you ordered on line. If the only thing you are lacking is a pot, you might as well hit a local kitchen shop for a 25-30 quart pot.

What are you going to be sanitizing with?

"Friends don't let friends drink bad beer"

[flbrewer]

I appreciate the trust but... it would get there faster if you ordered on line. If the only thing you are lacking is a pot, you might as well hit a local kitchen shop for a 25-30 quart pot.

What are you going to be sanitizing with?

"Friends don't let friends drink bad beer"

I'm lacking a pot, a thermo, and a hydro at this point. I'm also (at this moment) debating a propane cooker. As far as sanitizing goes, the kit comes with Star-San.

[klickitat jim]

Cool. To start get a cheap digital thermometer. They are easy to read and are accurate. I paid $6 on eBay for mine. You can get a hydrometer at the big online brew suppliers if you don't have a local home brew supplier. Support your local HBS guys if you can. Same with the pot.

I use a camp chef explorer and love it. I paid $120 for that plus however much for the 20 pound tank. One tank will last me over four brew days.

The best thing to do next is read section one of How to Brew. Its free online at howtobrew.com

Then just go for it!

"Friends don't let friends drink bad beer"

[stadelman]

If you have any interest in a 10 gallon kettle, there's an amazing deal going on now.  $36.38 shipped... http://www.homebrewfinds.com/2013/04/10-gallon-commercial-quality-kettle.html