What size pot?

[rwh]

I've got the option of buying an 80L aluminium pot for $150, or a 40L aluminium pot for $95. What do you guys reckon is the best option, considering I'll be doing 23L all grain batches, and I live in a small appartment? I'm leaning toward the 40L...

[lethaldog]

I personally would go the 40 in your situation but if you had a good burner then the 80 would be good as it would heat faster and if you decided to you could do double batches, i dont and wont do doubles as i dont find the time that it will take ( havent done one yet though) as a major concern as i just love brewing but each to their own and i guess it depends on what you will want to do with it

[ACTbrewer]

A double batch doesn't take any longer (other than a bit for heating up
60L rather than 30L...but we are talking 30 mins over a brew day).

What will you be brewing on (heat source)?

My 80L fits nicely onto the 4 ring gas burner, amd I like the fact that I
don't have to worry about boilovers etc. And if I want to do a double brew I can.

Mind you, 60L on the stove might be a bit of a worry for the stove rack.

I would be happy to say go with 50 or 60l, but 40.......

[lethaldog]

40 would be fine for single batches, your only boiling 25-30 litres, i dont see a problem

[Ed]

Rwh as space is a concern, then I'd go the 40 litre. You will be boiling around 29 to 30 litres in there to end up with around 23 into the fermenter. You might just need to watch for boilovers when adding hops, but if you don't run a savage boil, it won't be a problem.

Cheers, Ed

[gregb]

Rwh, I too live in a small flat. I opted for a 36L SS pot, but then couldn't pass up a 40L alo for $70. For storage one fits neatly inside the other.

I figure if I need a double batch I will do a mini (relativley speaking) mash and extract high gravity boil batch.

Cheers,
Greg

[Aussie Claret]

I'm always of the opinion that bigger is better; that's what the wife says anyway!
I would go with the bigger pot because if you do want to do the double batch in the future you can and with the smaller pot you would have more of a chance of a boil over.

AC

[Tourist]

My 50L SSteel baby just arrived! The end of extract is nigh.

[OldBugman]

gregb where'd you find the 40L alo for $70?

[gregb]

Mitchells Adventure Camping & outdoor shop on York St Sydney CBD. I was in there looking for boots and saw the pots up the back. I think I may've got special price to shift. Taking the pot back to the office then home on the train drew a few looks.

If you wanna go really big IIRC they had a 100L.

Cheers,
Greg

[OldBugman]

Thanks for the tip, I'll check em out.

[SpillsMostOfIt]

I reckon the 40litre is a good choice for single-batch brews.

I'm quite happy with my FB Boiler (75litre), but see issues with the way I do things that a smaller boiler would fix/overcome.

[lethaldog]

I use a 40 litre ally and i think its great, i never have had any intention of doing double batches but who knows what the future holds

I boil up to 32 litres in the 40 and have to this day (4 AG'S) never had a boil over

[SpillsMostOfIt]

I did think today that I could do a double batch and get two fermenters' worth in a single outing, but then crawled towards the realisation that I need to walk before running...

[hoohaaman]

I have to buy a new 50lt kettle,i'm buying from http://www.allquip.com.au/home/index.cf ... tartrow=11

both ss and ali option

I'M going alli,easy to drill ,good heat retention ect

[Dogger Dan]

I like my aluminium pot, I think there is a lot to be said for the heat tranfer properties. If I were to go stainless I would consider a copper bottom.

Dogger