I use one. If I'm making 5 gal batches. I burnt 2 hop socks with my other my small stainlees one. I've heard what has been said about usining aluminum. Tannins, off flavors. I was also told heat treating it in your oven at, I think 375° - 400° for a couple of hours will take care off that off flavor it would give. Plus, I can't afford a bigger stainless or copper kettle. Any thoughts?
Aluminum kettles. Thoughts & opinions
- Thread starter 25518
- Start date
Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:
I used aluminum for a while before buying stainless. I wouldn't worry too much about using aluminum. What I can tell you is that it's harder to clean. And don't leave oxi clean solution in it overnight. Now I can only use it for pressure canning since it ate the oxide layer off the aluminum leaving ugly dark grey aluminum underneath. Keep an eye on craigslist for turkey fryers. I bought my 11 gallon stainless with strainer basket, lid and propane burner for $40 on craigslist.
Ugly, dark grey aluminum IS your oxide layer. Aluminum is fine. Boil water in it first to build up an (ugly grey) oxide layer. Then use it like normal. There should be no off flavors.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe aluminum allows heat to transfer through it more quickly than ss, shortening your cool-down time. If ss weren't so shiny and pretty, I'd switch to aluminum for that fact alone.
Think your right about heating up faster.
If it's a decent thickness Al pot, you're fine.
You won't be able to wear out an Al pot in your lifetime, but you might not be able to pass it down to your children like you might a big stainless pot.
You won't be able to wear out an Al pot in your lifetime, but you might not be able to pass it down to your children like you might a big stainless pot.
I use a 10-gal aluminum pot and have no problems with it whatsoever. Mine is a nice, heavy-duty thick-walled one, so I did install a drain valve and sight glass on it. Bought the pot and lid for right around $50 off amazon.
Brulosopher
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2011
- Messages
- 3,007
- Reaction score
- 447
pabloj13 said:
This is exactly what I was going to say. You've a perfectly good kettle just wasting space
Brulosopher
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2011
- Messages
- 3,007
- Reaction score
- 447
25518 said:
You mean he gave you the $6 he owed you for that back massage... and you hooked him up with a sixer.
Yes?
Good answer.
