Thanks again for all your input.
I've decided to go with the SS BrewTech 10 gallon kettle. Reasons for that choice are:
- It seems to be as well made as any of the quality kettles.
- I like the idea of the weldless fittings and being able to disassemble and thoroughly clean them occasionally.
- The 3 piece valve should come off with the outlet fitting for easy cleaning.
- The pick-up tube is near the edge of the bottom instead of the center where most of the trub would be after whirlpool.
- The little trub dam seems like a nifty idea.
- The price is very reasonable for a quality kettle. Actually a few dollars less than the Spike and quite a bit less than the Blichmann and Edelmetall. Though, as I said at the start, quality is much more important than cost.
As Steve in TX said early in the thread, brew pots are like trucks. And I'm gonna drive the SS BrewTech.
Wish me well as I jump into all-grain brewing.
Cheers.