5 Best Brew Kettle Reviews for Homebrewing
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Have you ever given a thought to brewing beer on your own? Then you’ll definitely want to get one of the best brew kettles.
Some of you might be already an experienced brewer and some might be thinking of giving it a try. Whether you are an all-grain, extract brewer or an amateur, the most important equipment you need to manufacture beer is a home brew kettle. The transition of wort into beer takes place inside a beer brew kettle.
A brew kettle must have all the features that would make it stand out from others. It should be tough, durable, handy, reliable, and should not make your bank account weigh less. Hence, choosing an appropriate brew kettle that fulfills your needs is necessary.
Some homebrewers may also prefer all-in-one electric brewing systems to brew their own beer. It all depends on your preference and expertise, with a lot of more experienced homebrewers choosing to use a brew kettle.
The market of brew kettles is crowded with several brands. Choosing the best brew kettle might confuse you to the extent that you may end up choosing a wrong one. For that, you should read on to know you’re getting the best.
Best Brew Kettle Reviews
Hopefully from experience and research the following provides you a fair idea about each brand and helps in aligning your needs with the features of the brew kettles.
1. Bayou Classic 800-410 – Best 10 Gallon Brew Kettle
- 10-Gal brew kettle accommodates the avid home brewer using malt extracts or all-grain brewing
- Low side indentation permits use of false bottom for all-grain brewing.
- Tri-ply bottom (stainless-aluminum-stainless) prevents sugar scorching on bottom of pot.
The Bayou Classic can hold up to 40 quarts of liquid. It is made from premium stainless steel, which is an anti-corrosive material. The tough characteristic of the material doesn’t allow it to form any dents on its surface.
It is designed for all-grain brewing and has minimal or no boil-over risk due to high sidewalls and narrow diameter. The 5mm tri-ply bottom absorbs optimal heat, which helps in saving fuel. It has a domed lid on the top to keep the moisture inside.
It comes with a side-mounted 3 inches thermometer allowing you to adjust the heat according to your need. The capacity of the thermometer ranges from 60 to 220 degrees. You can perform drip-free pouring with the help of spigot, which is fitted with a ball valve. The Bayou Classic comes with a stainless steel false bottom. The false bottom can be fitted 3.25 inches above the bottom to stop grains and particles to enter the spigot.
The accessories are fitted in such a way that you can assemble and disassemble them easily and clean without much hassle. A tube-shaped stainless filter screen gives you clearer brew. The brew kettle comes with a 1-year warranty and can be used with gas or propane burners.
Pros
- Large Capacity
- False Bottom
- Ball Valve and Thermometer
- Tube-Shaped Filter
- Stainless tri-ply Bottom
- Vented Lid
Cons
- Sometimes handle and lid may become hot
- Has issues with time resistances
2. Concord Cookware 30 QT
- Brew Kettle is made from Commercial Quality Stainless Steel, Fully Polished.
- All Accessories included in this set are made from high quality 304 Stainless Steel.
- Lid is hangable on the side of kettle.
This Concord brew kettle can hold up to 30 quarts of liquid. It is manufactured from rust and corrosion-free commercial quality stainless steel. The riveted handles allow you to move the kettle easily. The equipment has less welding on it, which makes it easy to assemble and clean. It can be used with electric and gas burners.
The thermometer and ball valve fitted on the kettle help you to adjust and measure temperature up to 220 degrees. It is placed 5.5 inches above the bottom of the kettle so as not to get affected by flames and give accurate readings. The ball valve is placed at a height of 1.5 inches from the bottom, which helps you to collect any amount of liquid without stopping the process.
Pros
- Large capacity
- Available in different sizes
- Well built and strong
- Thermometer and ball valve
Cons
- Assembling is required
- Sometimes handles and the lid gets hot
3. Brewsie 64 QT
- Entire Brew Kettle is made with fully polished stainless steel
- Brew Kettle Set Includes: Brew Kettle, Lid, False Bottom, Bazooka Screen, Thermometer, Ball Valve, Inner Connector, and all hardware
- Dual Filtration maximizes efficiency and improves taste
Brewsie 64 QT is manufactured from fully polished, commercial, and corrosion-free steel. The capacity of the brew pot is 64 quarts but has other variants of 32 and 40 quarts.
The false bottom helps in filtering the brew easily. Thermometer and ball valve help in measuring accurate temperature and process optimization. It has a unique filtration screen called Bazooka Screen, which removes tiny particles during the process of filtering. All these accessories are made from 304-quality stainless steel. It has a tri-clad bottom to spread the heat uniformly.
You have to assemble the accessories before usage but it won’t take more than 10 minutes. Though it has large handles, they might get hot during the process. Hence, it is advised you use gloves or potholder. The stamped markers allow you to measure the brew with precision.
Pros
- Sturdy and durable
- Tri-clad bottom
- Bazooka screen
- Accurate thermometer
- Stamped markers
Cons
- Assembly is required
- Instructions are unclear
4. Northern Brewer Megapot – Best 20 Gallon Brew Kettle
- 20 gallons (80 quarts / 75.7 liters) capacity
- Stainless Steel Construction with Tri-Clad Bottom
- Graduated Volume Markings Inside the Kettle
Quality stainless steel has been used in manufacturing the kettle so you don’t have to worry about corrosion and rust. The Megapot has 3 different sizes that holds up to 120 quarts of liquid and available in three types – valve and thermometer, only valve and just plain. This makes it easy to choose according to your needs.
The handles are riveted and coated with silicone, which not only helps in easy and quick handling but also doesn’t burn your hands. The lid also has silicone cover, which allows you to lift and check the brew periodically.
You can pour any liquid or grain to precision since the kettle has a graduated volume marker inside. The 4mm thick tri-clad bottom allows the heat to distribute evenly. The thermometer helps you for easy adjustment of temperature and the ball valve allows you in precise pouring. It has a dip tube, which facilitates removing the water left at the bottom after completion of process. The assembling of accessories takes only a few minutes and you can employ an ignition, gas, or propane burner to start the process.
If you want the largest size they have at 30 gallons (120 quarts) then go for this one:
- 30 gallons (120 quarts / 113.5 liters) capacity
- Stainless Steel Construction with Tri-Clad Bottom
- Graduated Volume Markings inside the kettle
Pros
- Silicone handles and lid
- Available in different capacities
- Comes with thermometer and ball valve
- Strong and durable
- Compatible with gas, ignition and propane burners
Cons
- A few have complained about O-rings
- The volume markers are not easily visible
5. GasOne BS-32
- HIGH QUALITY STAINLESS STEEL- Very easy to clean, Long lasting, Safe and durable, Good heat conduction, Sleek look
- TRI-PLY - Extremely strong, Fast and even heat distribution, dependable and well-constructed Will last for a very long time
- Scale Markings - Keep track of your measurements and brewing process with the scale markings that are read inside the Kettle Pot
GasOne BS-32 is a brew kettle not to be ignored. The 32 quart capacity kettle also has varieties of 40 and 64 quarts. High-quality stainless steel gives it anti-corrosive properties and satin finish makes it strong and durable. It has scale markings inside and welded ergonomics handles on the sides.
The bottom is reinforced with tri-ply aluminum, which is highly efficient in heat conduction. It has accessories like a ball valve, spigot, set of O-rings, mini wrench and sealing tape. All these accessories help in easily transferring and assembling the unit. It doesn’t have a thermometer but it has a plug with predrilled holes where you can place a thermometer. It is compatible with induction, electrical, and gas burners.
Pros
- Available in different size
- Comes with ball valve
- Tri-ply bottom
- Large capacity
Cons
- No thermometer
- Lid and handles may get hot during the process
Brew Kettle Buyer Guide
Now that you have gone through the best brew kettles, you should select a brew kettle which fulfills your needs to maximum extent. The factors you need to consider while selecting a brew kettle depends on what type of beer you are brewing, how much you are brewing, the extent of accuracy you need during the brewing process, and how long you are planning to brew.
If you are brewing a large quantity of beer then you should go for big size kettles. Normally, you should buy double the size of your requirement since you don’t want to spill even a drop while processing. If you are planning to brew for long then you should buy a kettle which is made from high-quality stainless steel and fitted with all the modern gadgets.
Thermometer, ball valve and marked gauges are must if you are looking for accuracy. The last part is the money. You should always look for brew pots that don’t overshoot your budget and give value for money.
Conclusion
You might have already read several brew kettle reviews and still finding it difficult to decide upon the brew kettle. Take my advice and go for Bayou Classic 800-410.
- 10-Gal brew kettle accommodates the avid home brewer using malt extracts or all-grain brewing
- Low side indentation permits use of false bottom for all-grain brewing.
- Tri-ply bottom (stainless-aluminum-stainless) prevents sugar scorching on bottom of pot.
This brew kettle is sturdy, well built, and has all the modern accessories. Its thermometer is accurate, the false bottom gives clear product and you can brew up to 40 quarts. Due to the presence of try-ply bottom, the heat is spread uniformly and you get the beer according to the taste you have set.
Next time you taste beer, it should be from your own brew kettle.
Let the party begin.
Cheers…
