Brewing Master

Question:

you may want to check your local Wal-mart or Target type stores. I found a 5 gallon stainless pot at Wal-mart for about $30. Its only a 22 or 24 quart kettle, but that may be all you need to step up your boil size. you probably wont be able to do a full wort boil for a 5 or 5.5 gallon yield though. I installed a valve and use mine for a hot water tun.

Response:

You are correct… at least as far as you went.  I also have a 5 gallon SS pot, but prefer to use my ~6.5 enamel pot for full boils.  Not sure if Liquidators would have anything other than the normal 7-qrt cooker…. do you know?  This one’s big enough to can 8 qrts at a time– rather unusual for a canning kettle. — –DAsh (To reply via e-mail, replace the obvious with 7119)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I bought my 5 Gallon brewpot at Steinbarts 5 years ago, and I love it. The Initial expense has paid off. If you want an enamal pot in Portland, try Andy &Baks or City Liquidators. Both places have them from time to time at very reasonable prices. —– Original Message —– Newsgroups: rec.crafts.brewing Sent: Friday, December 21, 2001 6:38 AM rec.crafts.brewing: I found a very large canning kettle at a local "If-we-don’t-have-it,-you-don’t-want-it!" store. David, what store is this and how much was the pot?  I can only do 2.5 gallon boils right now, and this big pot and trivet setup sounds perfect! Reg’ds, Terry in Portland Try a large Fred Meyer’s, Terry.  In March/April, just before canning season begins.  Check in the Seasonal section, ask a clerk, talk to the store’s manager if the clerk gives you a "What-the-hell-are-you-talking-about?" look….. you know the one, I’m sure! <Grin  I paid ~$25+/- $5…. it’s been awhile since I found mine.  Anyway, it’s a canning kettle that will hold 8 quart jars.  Normal size holds 7.  I got mine at the SE 39th and Hawthorne Fredy’s– the one just off Sandy at 28th might be a better place to look as it’s much bigger and fairly new.  Don’t know if the ones on the west side would have these, but the Multnomah Village area might be a good place to look– lots of craft-type folks live around there. As for the trivet, go to a Kitchen Kaboodle or other kitchen/cook’s specialty store.  If you can’t find one, ask for an electric stove burner trivet.  They’re not expensive.  I’d guess less than $10– MUCH less! — –DAsh, also in Portland (To reply via e-mail, replace the obvious with 7119) rec.crafts.brewing: I found a very large canning kettle at a local "If-we-don’t-have-it,-you-don’t-want-it!" store. David, what store is this and how much was the pot?  I can only do 2.5 gallon boils right now, and this big pot and trivet setup sounds perfect! Reg’ds, Terry in Portland Try a large Fred Meyer’s, Terry.  In March/April, just before canning season begins.  Check in the Seasonal section, ask a clerk, talk to the store’s manager if the clerk gives you a "What-the-hell-are-you-talking-about?" look….. you know the one, I’m sure! <Grin  I paid ~$25+/- $5…. it’s been awhile since I found mine.  Anyway, it’s a canning kettle that will hold 8 quart jars.  Normal size holds 7.  I got mine at the SE 39th and Hawthorne Fredy’s– the one just off Sandy at 28th might be a better place to look as it’s much bigger and fairly new.  Don’t know if the ones on the west side would have these, but the Multnomah Village area might be a good place to look– lots of craft-type folks live around there. As for the trivet, go to a Kitchen Kaboodle or other kitchen/cook’s specialty store.  If you can’t find one, ask for an electric stove burner trivet.  They’re not expensive.  I’d guess less than $10– MUCH less! — –DAsh, also in Portland (To reply via e-mail, replace the obvious with 7119)

Response:

rec.crafts.brewing: I found a very large canning kettle at a local "If-we-don’t-have-it,-you-don’t-want-it!" store.

David, what store is this and how much was the pot?  I can only do 2.5 gallon boils right now, and this big pot and trivet setup sounds perfect! Reg’ds, Terry in Portland — Nine in the second place means: The yellow bird approaches the malt shop. Misfortune.

Response:

rec.crafts.brewing: I found a very large canning kettle at a local "If-we-don’t-have-it,-you-don’t-want-it!" store. David, what store is this and how much was the pot?  I can only do 2.5 gallon boils right now, and this big pot and trivet setup sounds perfect! Reg’ds, Terry in Portland

Try a large Fred Meyer’s, Terry.  In March/April, just before canning season begins.  Check in the Seasonal section, ask a clerk, talk to the store’s manager if the clerk gives you a "What-the-hell-are-you-talking-about?" look….. you know the one, I’m sure! <Grin  I paid ~$25+/- $5…. it’s been awhile since I found mine.  Anyway, it’s a canning kettle that will hold 8 quart jars.  Normal size holds 7.  I got mine at the SE 39th and Hawthorne Fredy’s– the one just off Sandy at 28th might be a better place to look as it’s much bigger and fairly new.  Don’t know if the ones on the west side would have these, but the Multnomah Village area might be a good place to look– lots of craft-type folks live around there. As for the trivet, go to a Kitchen Kaboodle or other kitchen/cook’s specialty store.  If you can’t find one, ask for an electric stove burner trivet.  They’re not expensive.  I’d guess less than $10– MUCH less! — –DAsh, also in Portland (To reply via e-mail, replace the obvious with 7119)

Response:

I bought my 5 Gallon brewpot at Steinbarts 5 years ago, and I love it. The Initial expense has paid off. If you want an enamal pot in Portland, try Andy &Baks or City Liquidators. Both places have them from time to time at very reasonable prices. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text —— Original Message —– Newsgroups: rec.crafts.brewing Sent: Friday, December 21, 2001 6:38 AM rec.crafts.brewing: I found a very large canning kettle at a local "If-we-don’t-have-it,-you-don’t-want-it!" store. David, what store is this and how much was the pot?  I can only do 2.5 gallon boils right now, and this big pot and trivet setup sounds perfect! Reg’ds, Terry in Portland Try a large Fred Meyer’s, Terry.  In March/April, just before canning season begins.  Check in the Seasonal section, ask a clerk, talk to the store’s manager if the clerk gives you a "What-the-hell-are-you-talking-about?" look….. you know the one, I’m sure! <Grin  I paid ~$25+/- $5…. it’s been awhile since I found mine.  Anyway, it’s a canning kettle that will hold 8 quart jars.  Normal size holds 7.  I got mine at the SE 39th and Hawthorne Fredy’s– the one just off Sandy at 28th might be a better place to look as it’s much bigger and fairly new.  Don’t know if the ones on the west side would have these, but the Multnomah Village area might be a good place to look– lots of craft-type folks live around there. As for the trivet, go to a Kitchen Kaboodle or other kitchen/cook’s specialty store.  If you can’t find one, ask for an electric stove burner trivet.  They’re not expensive.  I’d guess less than $10– MUCH less! — –DAsh, also in Portland (To reply via e-mail, replace the obvious with 7119) rec.crafts.brewing: I found a very large canning kettle at a local "If-we-don’t-have-it,-you-don’t-want-it!" store. David, what store is this and how much was the pot?  I can only do 2.5 gallon boils right now, and this big pot and trivet setup sounds perfect! Reg’ds, Terry in Portland Try a large Fred Meyer’s, Terry.  In March/April, just before canning season begins.  Check in the Seasonal section, ask a clerk, talk to the store’s manager if the clerk gives you a "What-the-hell-are-you-talking-about?" look….. you know the one, I’m sure! <Grin  I paid ~$25+/- $5…. it’s been awhile since I found mine.  Anyway, it’s a canning kettle that will hold 8 quart jars.  Normal size holds 7.  I got mine at the SE 39th and Hawthorne Fredy’s– the one just off Sandy at 28th might be a better place to look as it’s much bigger and fairly new.  Don’t know if the ones on the west side would have these, but the Multnomah Village area might be a good place to look– lots of craft-type folks live around there. As for the trivet, go to a Kitchen Kaboodle or other kitchen/cook’s specialty store.  If you can’t find one, ask for an electric stove burner trivet.  They’re not expensive.  I’d guess less than $10– MUCH less! — –DAsh, also in Portland (To reply via e-mail, replace the obvious with 7119)

Response:

I found a very large canning kettle at a local "If-we-don’t-have-it,-you-don’t-want-it!" store.  It’s an enameled pot that can boil ~6.5 gallons.  I’ve got an older electric stove with large heating elements and use a heavy-gauge wire trivet to keep the kettle off the element.  This keeps that element-shaped carmelized sugar shape off the bottom of the pot and protects the element from over-heating and burning out.  Additionally, I use primarily extra light DME and adjust with specialty grains for color.  I’ve managed to consistently brew some fairly light-colored extract ales this way– nothing as light as a Bud, mind you…. but then, I’m not aiming for Bud! {:-) — –DAsh (To reply via e-mail, replace the obvious with 7119)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That sounds about right.  I noticed that my liquid extract wasn’t completely dissolved when I was bringing it back up to boil.  I’ll have to try full boil next time.  Thanks I just finished brewing my 4th batch and this was my first pale ale. It’s suppose to be a Bass ale clone.  I think I remember someone saying that extract brewing usually ends up with a slightly darker beer color then expected.  Just wondering cause my batch was a little darker than I expected.  Any ideas of how to combat this occurrence? Typically what happens is that the extract is either added to the pot while the heat is turned on, settles to the bottom and scorches.  Or else the extract isn’t mixed well enough, and again settles to the bottom… The best you can do is to turn the heat on with just water in your pot. Once the water gets hot, basically when it hits a boil, turn the heat off and add your liquid and/or dry extracts.  Make sure your stir REALLY well to get everything disolved and mixed thoroughly, then turn the heat back on.  Continue stirring until the wort reaches a boil again, at which point the action of the boil should do a pretty good job of stirring for you. Alot of extract brewers have the added problem of doing partial boils which means you have a higher percentage of extract relative to the amount of water.  This basically makes scorching more of a problem than if you were boiling the full 5 gallons of water with your extract.  If you have the equipment for it, and aren’t doing so already, full boils will help in addition to the above advice. John. —                            *** John P. Kolesar ***            *** Head Administrator, Monty Python’s Flying Talker ***

Response:

I just finished brewing my 4th batch and this was my first pale ale.  It’s suppose to be a Bass ale clone.  I think I remember someone saying that extract brewing usually ends up with a slightly darker beer color then expected.  Just wondering cause my batch was a little darker than I expected.  Any ideas of how to combat this occurrence?

Typically what happens is that the extract is either added to the pot while the heat is turned on, settles to the bottom and scorches.  Or else the extract isn’t mixed well enough, and again settles to the bottom… The best you can do is to turn the heat on with just water in your pot. Once the water gets hot, basically when it hits a boil, turn the heat off and add your liquid and/or dry extracts.  Make sure your stir REALLY well to get everything disolved and mixed thoroughly, then turn the heat back on.  Continue stirring until the wort reaches a boil again, at which point the action of the boil should do a pretty good job of stirring for you. Alot of extract brewers have the added problem of doing partial boils which means you have a higher percentage of extract relative to the amount of water.  This basically makes scorching more of a problem than if you were boiling the full 5 gallons of water with your extract.  If you have the equipment for it, and aren’t doing so already, full boils will help in addition to the above advice. John. —                            *** John P. Kolesar ***            *** Head Administrator, Monty Python’s Flying Talker ***

Response:

That sounds about right.  I noticed that my liquid extract wasn’t completely dissolved when I was bringing it back up to boil.  I’ll have to try full boil next time.  Thanks – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just finished brewing my 4th batch and this was my first pale ale. It’s suppose to be a Bass ale clone.  I think I remember someone saying that extract brewing usually ends up with a slightly darker beer color then expected.  Just wondering cause my batch was a little darker than I expected.  Any ideas of how to combat this occurrence? Typically what happens is that the extract is either added to the pot while the heat is turned on, settles to the bottom and scorches.  Or else the extract isn’t mixed well enough, and again settles to the bottom… The best you can do is to turn the heat on with just water in your pot. Once the water gets hot, basically when it hits a boil, turn the heat off and add your liquid and/or dry extracts.  Make sure your stir REALLY well to get everything disolved and mixed thoroughly, then turn the heat back on.  Continue stirring until the wort reaches a boil again, at which point the action of the boil should do a pretty good job of stirring for you. Alot of extract brewers have the added problem of doing partial boils which means you have a higher percentage of extract relative to the amount of water.  This basically makes scorching more of a problem than if you were boiling the full 5 gallons of water with your extract.  If you have the equipment for it, and aren’t doing so already, full boils will help in addition to the above advice. John. —                            *** John P. Kolesar ***            *** Head Administrator, Monty Python’s Flying Talker ***

Response:

I just finished brewing my 4th batch and this was my first pale ale.  It’s suppose to be a Bass ale clone.  I think I remember someone saying that extract brewing usually ends up with a slightly darker beer color then expected.  Just wondering cause my batch was a little darker than I expected.  Any ideas of how to combat this occurrence?

Response: