Okay, I have some birthday money to burn. I'm looking to buy an new brew kettle and would like to hear what people think of the Blichmann BoilerMaker. It's very expensive and is it worth the $$$?
I own 3 of them and my opinion is: The built in sight glass and really nice thermometer are the best features, if using them for a HLT or a BK. That being said, if you can get another kettle with those features at a substantially lower price I'd say go for that. As for a MLT, those two features plus the awesome button louver false bottom do make the Boilermaker my MLT of choice. Note that they recently introduced a new "G2" version of the boilermaker, so if you do plunk down the coin for one, go for the new one!
the thermometer comes in handy if you're using an IC to cool the wort. Otherwise, I already know it's going to be around 212 during the boil. Site glass is nice to keep an eye on the level as your brewing
You can get 32 QT Stainless Steel Kettle or 8 Gal Beer Brewing Kettle w/ Valve & Thermometer your best shoot is getting stainless steel 32 quart get any other perihelia around it.
As long as you're absolutley sure you won't be trying to sell the kettles on CraigsList...then by all means buy them as soon as you can.
It also helps when chilling down to specific reduced temperatures for hop stands and for using multiple kettles to heat your strike water up faster.
I have two of them. I use one for heating my strike water and one to boil. The features of the sight glass and temp gauge serve me well. Good luck.
I'm thinking of getting the G2 version mentioned by Koopa. My home-brew store will be getting the new ones in a about 2-weeks. Thanks for the comments!
