First time looking at equipment, thoughts?

[detlion1643]

I started in search of a 7 - 8 gallon stainless steel pot with a spigot.

Let's just say eventually I came across this ($116ish):
http://store.homebrewheaven.com/15-gallon-stainless-steel-brewpot-wlid-p1037.aspx
and for another $24-25ish I can get a brass spigot installed on it.

The shipping though is another story, about $45ish. I'm debating, any thoughts?

*Being the first time I'm going to try my hand at beer, I wouldn't need anywhere close to 15 gallons. I'm looking at getting a 1500w element to use with it (for 5 gallon batches). However, the price is attractive.

 

[maida7]

10 gallon is a good size for 5 gallon batches. Check out this pot on amazon

They also have a 15 gallon if you prefer to go big.

 

[bknifefight]

You could save money buying a pot and installing hardware yourself I imagine.

 

[detlion1643]

I'm not mechanically inclined at all. I guess it might not be hard to do myself though. For the little bit of a price increase, that 15 gallon looks good over the 10. It provides room for future growth if I need it some day.

With that in mind then, I guess I'm in search of some kind of weldless spigot? Found a couple kits around $25-30ish, seems pretty average.

 

[maida7]

Bargain Fittings makes excellent weldless kits.

 

[detlion1643]

I settled on this kit http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=46&product_id=91 with the 3 piece valve. However, what is the "inside option" and what is the "hose barb"?
Is the inside option for inside the pot, like where a dip tube would go?

 

[maida7]

I settled on this kit http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=46&product_id=91 with the 3 piece valve. However, what is the "inside option" and what is the "hose barb"?
Is the inside option for inside the pot, like where a dip tube would go?

Look at the picture on the website.

The inside option is what goes on the inside of the pot. The barb typically goes on the output end of the valve so you can attach tubing.

IMHO the 3 piece valve is overkill. I find the 2 piece valve is plenty good. You can take the 3 piece apart and clean it but nobody ever seams to do that.

 

[detlion1643]

Awesome, thanks for all the help!

 

[detlion1643]

So I've been thinking of how I would like to design the element(s) for the new pot I'm ordering. I was following a list of parts over at theelectricbrewery site to come up with these:

*I read a thread here about the Camco 1500w/120v elements not being what they used to be, so I dropped the idea of purchasing one of theirs.
Heating element: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LNICCO/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

*I also read the element above has 1" NPT thread.
Locking nut (for inside): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GXF5EO/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Shim (for outside): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006U241XY/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
O-Rings (between pot wall and shim): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FMYSEM/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Step bit (for making element hole): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FZ2UOY/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Now, I don't want to necessarily put an electrical box right on the outside of the element. I am planning on putting a box on the rear of the pot. I am doing this so that if I ever get a 2nd element, I can keep a symmetrical look and only have 1 electrical box. So, with that in mind, I'm thinking I might get some 1 inch heat shrink tubing. That should fit over the connection end of the element. The wire/tube would run to the box and be wired in there.

I guess the whole point of this post is hopes that I have the right parts to work together? The hopes that the shim/o-ring/lock nut is correct for the element?

 

[jCOSbrew]

FYI, I use the elements stock gasket with the 1" lock nut inside the kettle. No extra shims or orings necessary. Obviously you need to use the heat shrink or other method to insulate the wiring.

a 40qt AL kettle is <40 shipped and makes the modifications easy for elements, valves, etc.

I would recommend doing a few extract partial boil batches on the stove before you invest in equipment. After a few successful batches you will be familiar with the brewing process and have a better idea what equipment you want/need (Extract vs AG, temp control, kegging, etc.)