New Hlt - Ss, Alum Or Hdpe

[Velophile]

My last batch bought home the need to build a bigger Hot Liquor Tank. The 20l bucket is just too small for a double batch.

My kettle is ~90l & would boil a triple batch if the rest of my equipment was scaled up. As it is I can just mash 12kg if I can keep up with the hot water! I'd like to have more than 50l to suit the large kettle.
I'll probably fit an element & use a temp controller too.

Does anyone use an aluminium pot as a HLT?

I also want to avoid the after dark 'acquisition' of a 50l Stainless Steel vessel.

 

[randyrob]

My last batch bought home the need to build a bigger Hot Liquor Tank. The 20l bucket is just too small for a double batch.

My kettle is ~90l & would boil a triple batch if the rest of my equipment was scaled up. As it is I can just mash 12kg if I can keep up with the hot water! I'd like to have more than 50l to suit the large kettle.
I'll probably fit an element & use a temp controller too.

Does anyone use an aluminium pot as a HLT?

I also want to avoid the after dark 'acquisition' of a 50l Stainless Steel vessel.

Heya,

my current HLT is Aluminium!

Rob.

 

[Doogiechap]

I'll vouch for Rob's HLT too (I assembled it and sold it to him ). Ally is fine. Probably the only drawback is if you leave water in there too long (days) you do get white oxidation on the surface of the aluminium. If I didn't score a 3KW 40L urn from the tip I would still be a happy and proud owner .
Cheers
Doug

 

[Velophile]

I'll vouch for Rob's HLT too (I assembled it and sold it to him ). Ally is fine. Probably the only drawback is if you leave water in there too long (days) you do get white oxidation on the surface of the aluminium. If I didn't score a 3KW 40L urn from the tip I would still be a happy and proud owner .
Cheers
Doug

What element did you use?

I've got a spare jug element & stirrer motor waiting.

 

[Doogiechap]

What element did you use?

I've got a spare jug element & stirrer motor waiting.

The 1800 watt element came out of my old dishwasher which forgot to stop filling when it was full :blink:
It's the same model element that I have in my Aluminium Herms Heat exchanger too. Easy to reshape and install.
Cheers
Doug
PS Stirrer motor is on my never ending list

 

[SpillsMostOfIt]

Does anyone use one of those Fowlers Vacola urn things for such purposes?

I think they're *about* the right size...

 

[goatherder]

Current thinking around the traps indicates that aluminium is just super. Lighter and cheaper than stainless, better conductivity and easier to machine when you put the tap in. The only reason the big boys avoid it is because they like caustic cleaners. No reason not to use aluminium.

 

[MHB]

You buy Stainless once per lifetime. Every other option is second best.

MHB

 

[Kai]

You buy what's fit for the purpose. An ally pot as a HLT is not going to degrade in any great hurry and is a hell of a lot lighter and cheaper to boot.

 

[tipsy_mcstagger]

I am building hlt at the moment. SS keg with a $13 kettle element from coles. 2200W. Should do the job and if not its only $13!! :lol:

 

[kook]

You buy Stainless once per lifetime. Every other option is second best.

MHB

I dunno, I bought a very cheap stainless pot for my HLT, and it's starting to rust in areas where the metal joins. I'm going to try treating it with acid, if that fails I may just replace it with an aluminium one.

 

[warrenlw63]

I dunno, I bought a very cheap stainless pot for my HLT, and it's starting to rust in areas where the metal joins. I'm going to try treating it with acid, if that fails I may just replace it with an aluminium one.

Funny you should mention that Kook. I find if I add Napisan and hot water for any length of time to my smaller (and cheaper) S/S pots the rivets that hold the handles develop what appears to be a white crust every time I rinse and clean. I'm suspecting some form of galvanic corrosion ??

BTW I use an 80 litre aluminium boiler (but not HLT) and have done so for the last 18 months and love it. :beerbang:

Warren -

 

[ant]

I dunno, I bought a very cheap stainless pot for my HLT, and it's starting to rust in areas where the metal joins. I'm going to try treating it with acid, if that fails I may just replace it with an aluminium one.

I hope like buggery you're not talking about that 98L Robinox pot kook - if so,
A. I'm scared about my pots (when they finally arrive), and
B. I'm scared at what you call "very cheap"

 

[randyrob]

I dunno, I bought a very cheap stainless pot for my HLT, and it's starting to rust in areas where the metal joins. I'm going to try treating it with acid, if that fails I may just replace it with an aluminium one.

Hey Kook,

you must be talking about the 'kongs' pots, i had the same problem the first time i used it.
now i just make sure it is dead dry with a towel before i store it away and don't have a problem.

i've just got some food grade stainless solder and going to re do the joint see if that fixes the problem for good.

Rob.

 

[lucas]

What element did you use?

I've got a spare jug element & stirrer motor waiting.

I'm planning on building something similar soon, can you tell me what you're using for the stirrer motor and where you plan on mounting it?

 

[Velophile]

I'm planning on building something similar soon, can you tell me what you're using for the stirrer motor and where you plan on mounting it?

The stirrer motor is from a microwave oven, the carrousel motor.

I plan to wire it in parallel to the element. So whatever controls the element will also power the stirrer.

Mounted on the lid with a shaft & paddle down to just above the element.

 

[tangent]

i think i heard napisan pits stainless

 

[kook]

Funny you should mention that Kook. I find if I add Napisan and hot water for any length of time to my smaller (and cheaper) S/S pots the rivets that hold the handles develop what appears to be a white crust every time I rinse and clean. I'm suspecting some form of galvanic corrosion ??

BTW I use an 80 litre aluminium boiler (but not HLT) and have done so for the last 18 months and love it. :beerbang:

Warren -

Sounds like the rivets might be chrome plated steel or something? Weird. I haven't experienced anything like that so far.

I hope like buggery you're not talking about that 98L Robinox pot kook - if so,
A. I'm scared about my pots (when they finally arrive), and
B. I'm scared at what you call "very cheap"

Nah, the Robinox is used as my kettle, and it's perfectly fine. I expect it will outlast me!

My HLT (as Rob guessed) is a $50 Kongs pot.

 

[delboy]

this comes up all the time about aluminium if it is so bad why do alot of commercial kitchens use it to cook with and there pots get a hammering from dishwasher and alikes.
yes i agree with MHB but thats if you want to pass the nano brewery down as a family hierloom .
just treat it kindly and look after it and it will last a life time too.
how many time have we been down to a bricabrac or junk shop to scroung stuff and with out a doubt there in the corner are a pile of old aliminium kettles from wwii sitting there for 2 bucks and they are still fuctional today
even hositals still use them .

go with ali its a fine alternative to s/s
delboy