Can someone tell me if there might be an adverse affect by using the lobster boil pots...the black colored ones that you steam lobsters and steamers in , for brewing !? Also , would there be any adverse affects resulting from an aluminum pot used for brewing . I know you should use SST but i am wondering what might be the major draw back for these... or is it minor . I have access to a lot of the lobster style pots and was just wondering Thanks - Garve
Aluminum works fine, and there is really no major drawbacks other than the softness of the metal. Some people believe you need to season AL pots, to create an oxide layer, but an oxide layer will form within seconds of exposure to air. Otherwise seasoning is a simple process. Not sure about the Lobster pots. Not sure how thin the metal is, and if that might cause scorching issues. If you scratch the enamel on them, you would be exposing the beer to iron...which can show up in the beer.
If by 'lobster pots' you mean enameled stew pots...then no...there won't be any adverse fx unless the porcelain glaze is chipped such that the metal is exposed. The steel underneath the glaze will react with the wort and produce flavors you'd probably not want in your beer.
Your fine on both. I'd look over the enamel pots and make sure there are no chips or cracks in them. I'd also boil some water in the AL pot and get a good oxidized layer on there ( it'll be a dull grey look ), and be careful using cleaners and scrubbing that will take the layer off.
my Al pot takes twice as long to boil and cool off (I don't have a wort chiller). My SS pot is about 50 lbs empty whereas the Al is maybe 10, so theres that. not sure about the lobster boiler
I've always found the opposite. My old aluminum kettle will reach boil faster, and cool more rapidly. I understand aluminum is a better conductor.
gotcha..thanks for the replies...I will peak at the lobster pot...I see what you mean w rust ! I live in New England...there are tons of these at the 2nd hand stores...for cheap ! Hence my curiosity /thanks again
I have a couple of the enameled steel (Graniteware) pots and they work great for brewing. 19 qt and 33qt. the bigger is perfect for a full boil, starting around 6.75 - 7 gallons, and the smaller works nicely now as a hot liquor tank, after using it for brew pot when doing partial boils. I plan to upgrade at some point, but to get going, for low cost, you can't beat those things.
I guess both, though I haven't brewed on an electric stove in a long time. I still warm up my strike and sparge water on an electric range, but I use different size pots so I can't really compare accurately.
I found an AL pot was longer to boil than SS on a propane fire. AL is a better conductor but we are have a convection, conduction, convection case. I am thinking the surface finish has an effect, as bubble formation in the rougher AL finish acts as an insulator to the liquid. I might do another test, then polish the AL to see if it heats faster.
