[flbrewer]

I see some brew kettles have the ball valve installed. Does this make it easier just eliminate the need to pour your wort from a kettle into a funnel and tubing setup? Or are these valves used for more higher end setups, connecting to other pieces?

[donsmitty]

I just moved to all-grain brewing and moved the brewing operation to the garage.  I bought a Blichmann 10 gal. boil kettle with a ball valve, thermometer and view glass along with a Blichmann burner.  If money is no object then you could consider doing the same and that would get you and the wonderful aromas that your wife doesn't like, out of the house.  The kettle pretty much stays in place for heating my water, boiling the wort, chilling the wort and finally transferring to the primary.  Since I don't plan on doing anything over 5 gallons, I think this will be sufficient for me, for now anyway. 

[flbrewer]

Yeah, I just bit the bullet and bought a 10 gallon SS without the valve, thermo, etc. I also picked up the Blichmann burner. 

[aschecte]

Northern brewer sells a economy SS pot for like $35 Plus shipping it's a pretty fair deal.

[flbrewer]

Maybe I should close the thread now that I've found one. How do you guys do it here, leave it open or close?

[klickitat jim]

Or we could just stop posting on it. Who wants to be first to stop replying to this thread?

"Friends don't let friends drink bad beer"

[euge]

Yeah, I just bit the bullet and bought a 10 gallon SS without the valve, thermo, etc. I also picked up the Blichmann burner. 

I would have recommended the ball-valve and thermometer. You will miss those.