60 gallon kettle

[kutuyach]

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[toneyc]

60 gallons??? Dang, you could probably use it for a bathtub!

:D
Toney.

[mmmBeer...]

WTF...that is HUGE!!! Let me know how it goes :)

[wortchillergoal]

I sold restaurant equipment, so I do know about them. You will need a steam supply number one. These kettles require maintance. The voulme is huge, so ask yourself is the time and effort to keep this equipment supplied with steam and the up keep worth it. Yes this type of equipment lends itself to brewing but may be more than you bargin for. You could use it as a mash tun but it will require more work than you might want to deal with. What kind of price are you being given, you need quite the steam generating plant for that kettle. I could go on and on, some industrial kitchens don't need a kettle that big, where did you come across this thing. It is late and I am not thinking as clearly as I would like. I don't believe this may be as good an idea as you think, feed me more info and I will tell you what I think as in how are you going to generate the steam for it?

[wortchillergoal]

I will try to touch all the bases. The steam boiler and kettle require a very good drain system. The boiler will need to be blown down on a regular schedule depending on use and hardness of your water supply. If it is gas it will require a pilot light to be burning. Electric models will consume huge amounts of electricty. Is power cheap where you live? Normal cleaning of outside and in of kettle.

You are going to make extra work using it as your mash tun. You will have to drain the wort off throught the valve. After draining the wort you will have to clean the spent grains out of the kettle before you can put the wort back in for your boil. I do not see this as a fun or easy job.

I dont see why you couldn't heat it with a propane burner but chances are you are going to burn the outside of the kettle. Stainless is not a good heat conductor so it may take a good deal of propane to use this method.

Your insurance provider may elect to cancel or not pay any fire damages if they find out you have this commercial equipment in your house.

Alot of people I know went to kegging to avoid bottling. Bottling is the only part of this hobby that I look at as a chore. You may rue the day you chose to have to do all that bottling.

If it was in a dumpster, are you sure it will work or that it is not defective in such a way as to pose a saftey hazard. I really don't see this as the best way to go. I have not sold restaurant equipment for a number of years now so you may double check me on the maintenance and required cleanings. Ask me more if needed.

[Jeff]

Depending on what state you live in, and what size of boiler you are looking at getting you could run into some problems with it. In the great state of Nebraska, the boiler would have to be checked by the state boiler inspector every year. I couldn't imagine this being a fun task if you don't have maintenance done on your boiler every year.

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by Jeff
Depending on what state you live in, and what size of boiler you are looking at getting you could run into some problems with it. In the great state of Nebraska, the boiler would have to be checked by the state boiler inspector every year. I couldn't imagine this being a fun task if you don't have maintenance done on your boiler every year.

Good point and I forgot to add the cost of labor and parts should repair work be needed.

[wortchillergoal]

Well that does put a little different spin on it. I sent you a PM. Check my last suggestion in that and let me know what you think. I am not trying to tell you not to do it but there is always more to something than one might expect. I'll read more from you later.

[brewmonkey]

That sounds like a big boiler and maybe to big for your application. I will check around and see what is what.

As is pointed out alot of states will require that you have it inspected yearly if not more, you will also have to pay the appropriate taxes, fees etc.. for it. So think about the long term costs.

Our boiler (drives a 7bbl system) works great and has had only one major problem in 5 years of operation. But we also blow it down almost daily, add the proper chemicals (another money factor) to keep it correct.

This could be more then you are bargining for unless you have unlimited funds to keep it going.

Another thing to think of is the legal limit you can brew (I know you are all laughing know). But that is 3 1/3 batches a year and you have reached the household limit.

60 Gallons is also an expensive undertaking even for all grain. You will have to have a like mash tun as well as the grain etc...

I would either use it as a tun or ditch it.

[michaewa]

(I'll deny having asked this question in a court of law but) What is the legal limit for brewing? I had no idea there was one.

Never mind - looks like 100 gals per person or 200 gals per household. That means if you're shacked up you can safely brew about a batch a week.

Considering I've done three in the past week, I may be setting a dangerous pace...

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by michaewa
(I'll deny having asked this question in a court of law but) What is the legal limit for brewing? I had no idea there was one.

Last I knew it was 100 gal for a single occupied residence or 200 for more than a single. I don't know if that has changed or if it varies from state to state.

[brewmonkey]

It is regulated by Federal law and is 100 USG per person up to 200 USG per household with at least 2 adults (21+).