False Bottom for Bayou Classic 82 QT

[TechyDork]

My brew buddy and I are building a three vessel E-HERMS system using these 82qt Bayou Classic SS kettles and will be brewing mostly 10 g batches, maybe a few 15 g lighter beers. The wort will be constantly recirculated during the mash using a pump.

Which of these two options for the false bottom would you go with? or is there a better option out there?

This one from AIH is custom built for this exact pot, but with shipping would be $150. It would cover the entire bottom of the kettle, but has more dead space below it. We would also have to mount a pick up tube below this false bottom along with the weld less fitting to connect the ball valve (added cost). Currently this is the option we are leaning toward.

This one from Spike Brewing is a bit cheaper, $55 + shipping. it only covers a portion of the kettle bottom, but would have less dead space below it and has a dip tube installed so we would only have to purchase the weld less fitting. The slightly lower price on this one caught my eye, but i am concerned it may not work as well as the other option.

Money is a factor, but is not the deciding factor in this. The goal is to get to a highly repeatable process so that we can dial in recipes. Basically if the larger kettle specific one is a better option we will go with that.

 

[burdbrew]

Jay is the man. I had a great experience with him. A little more than you wanted to spend, but buy quality once and you will end up spending less.

http://www.norcalbrewingsolutions.com/store/False_Bottom_Bayou_Classic_1082.html

 

[TechyDork]

Jay is the man. I had a great experience with him. A little more than you wanted to spend, but buy quality once and you will end up spending less.

http://www.norcalbrewingsolutions.com/store/False_Bottom_Bayou_Classic_1082.html

That does look like a nice option, but it is almost twice the cost of the AIH version. I do like the hinge and handle option. I will definitely consider this option.

thanks for the link.

 

[WI_Wino]

I use a 12" domed fb similar to the spike brewing one in my 14" wide kettle and like it. Got mine from ritebrew.

 

[TechyDork]

I use a 12" domed fb similar to the spike brewing one in my 14" wide kettle and like it. Got mine from ritebrew.

Do you have any issue with grain filtering or draining? Have you used it for any mashes with a lot of flaked grain and wheat?

 

[MindenMan]

Go to your local restaurant supply store and get an aluminum pizza pan, the kind with a million small holes in it. They are used as false bottoms all the time. Less than $20.00.

 

[WI_Wino]

Do you have any issue with grain filtering or draining? Have you used it for any mashes with a lot of flaked grain and wheat?

I biab but it has worked great for filtering hop sludge and hot break.