Aluminum or Stainless kettle?

[larin1477]

Ok I know that stainless is utopia but...anyone know if aluminum imparts any off tastes to the wort?...got a shot at buying set that includes a 40 qt a 32 qt along with a 24 and 20 (that i would give to my wife)...for 99$...(all aluminum)

[MichaelM]

read my reply to your wanting to go allgrain thread

[larin1477]

thanks again

[larin1477]

As I said thanks for the reply...but it doesnt answer my actual question...Is aluminum ok to brew in...does anybody know if it will affect the flavor of the beer?

[Beerbilly]

I know Al is better from a heat conductor stand point, less chance of scorching. To that end I used a HEAVY Al pot as a vessle to boil my decoction mash in last weekend to test the very question you are raising. Sadly I wont know until about Mid June if there is any metalic flavors. So far it smells fine. I will still use stainless from now on but I thought it was a worthy experiment. I figured if there was any chance of wort picking up off flavors from Al it would be during boiling the decoction goop.

I might just make another batch using SS to compare. Thats the beauty of 3gal batches :)

[Jared]

Do a search here on aluminum. This topic has been debated since man brewed beer......

[barleyburps]

I used a heavy aluminum 10 gallon pot as my mash kettle and boil kettle for years and years, and never had any noticible off flavors or other ill effects.

[choreboy]

I currently use AL and I have not noticed any off flavors. One of the LHBS in town swears by AL and claims that buying stainless is a waste of money- of course they still sell stainless pots...

[MichaelM]

just gotta be more carefull with the pots is all. You dont wanna scratch aluminum or use anytype of caustic chemicals or harsh scrubbies to clean it with.... other then that aluminum works great...

[larin1477]

K...yesterday I went into my LBSH (well not the one I usually go to I just found out there is one closer)...they are smaller and prices are higher..but thats besides the point..While there I started talking to the proprietor abou tgoing all grain...and told him I had bought a turkey fryer...he reopened the Aluminum debate by telling me I should Anodize the aluminum because the acid from the hops will react with the aluminum giving off flavors to the wort...Anyone heard of this?...I looked it up and I need Sulfiric acid and electical current????!!!..ummm I would hurt myself or burn my house down with that stuff!!..lmao

[choreboy]

I have never done that and I have not noticed an off flavors in my beer. Maybe you can try a batch without doing anythin and see how it tastes. If there is a problem, then worry about the science experiments your LHBS is proposing...

[Beerbilly]

sigh, don't worry about it. That guy just wanted to sound like he knew something. Hes more than likley spouting something he heard from someone who heard, etc.

This is one hobby you kind have to always question the conventional wisdom as some of it is pure myth, perpetuated by folks like the owner of that homebrew store.

Use Al, don't worry about it.

Bill

[Saint-Thomas]

I've never used stainleess. Only aluminum. No off flavors, no metallic tastes. In a side by side comparison with my brew buddy, who used stainless, I got to boil much faster than he did and I don't scorch with aluminum either.

[larin1477]

Thanks to all...I really didnt want to play with sulfiric acid...not pretty..glad you all are here!!

GO DICE K!