Help Choosing Between Bayou Classic Kettle Models

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Dschiller, Jan 1, 2015.

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  1. Dschiller

    Dschiller Initiate (0) Dec 30, 2014 California

    I'm trying to decide whether I need the three-ply bottom and raised false bottom of the Model 800-410, which I believe are the only two differences between that and the less expensive Model 800-440 (both are 10 gallon SS kettles). I will be making 5 gallon home brews on a gas stove (newbie home brewer). I read that the three-ply bottom gives more even heating to prevent sugars from sticking and scorching, and the raised false bottom filters grains and particles. So are these important features that are worth the extra $$?

    Or should I save even more money and just buy the 9 gallon Bayou Classic for about $70 that is just a bare bones kettle?

    Thanks in advance for recommendations/advice.
     
    #1 Dschiller, Jan 1, 2015
  2. scurvy311

    scurvy311 Savant (1,135) Dec 3, 2005 Louisiana

    You really don't need a false bottom on a kettle unless you are doing double duty as a mash tun and you want to do step mashes. Without a way to recirculate, the wort under the false bottom can get too hot too fast to distribute evenly. I have a morebeer economy 14.9gal kettle. No plys at the bottom, no problems. As long as there is water AND you don't have a jet style burner that doesn't evenly distribute the flame. In short, IMO, you need neither.
     
    #2 scurvy311, Jan 1, 2015
  3. bgjohnston

    bgjohnston Initiate (0) Jan 14, 2009 Connecticut

    My original kettle is a 3-ply thick bottom, pretty heavy gauge stainless. The two I have purchased since are single ply. I have noticed no real difference between them as far as scorching goes, and I fire outside on a very hot propane burner.

    None of these have ever been used to mash, so I have not had a false bottom and cannot speak to that.

    I would go with a bare-bones, single wall kettle and get a slightly bigger size if I could afford it. You won't regret having a 12-15 gallon kettle, even with 5 gallon batches, as boil-overs are greatly reduced with additional head space.
     
    #3 bgjohnston, Jan 1, 2015
  4. Beer_Mitch

    Beer_Mitch Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2013 Iowa

    I had posted a thread about an issue with my Bayou Classic kettle (as it pertains to using it as a mash tun) a couple weeks ago, so maybe I can save you some trouble. For mashing, the false bottom sits too high (at the 2 gallon mark on the kettle), even though the ball valve inlet is below that, it seems excessive and forces you to alter mash/sparge amounts to accommodate.

    That being said, I have had no problems with the same model kettle as a boil kettle. The two I have came with a ball valve/bulkhead and thermometer, but I'm not sure whether its a 3 ply bottom or not.

    I guess it depends if your mashing or boiling with it, and even with mashing, I'm sure you can make it work better (bazooka tube maybe?)
     
    #4 Beer_Mitch, Jan 1, 2015
  5. JohnSnowNW

    JohnSnowNW Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2013 Minnesota

    #5 JohnSnowNW, Jan 1, 2015
  6. Dschiller

    Dschiller Initiate (0) Dec 30, 2014 California

    Thanks for the responses. Yes I'm just a beginner looking for a boil kettle. So I'll cross off my list a false bottom and 3-ply. Those Spike kettles look really nice. I'm guessing I can do without a built-in thermometer, but I think I'll want a spigot on the bottom for draining, right?
     
    #6 Dschiller, Jan 1, 2015
  7. JohnSnowNW

    JohnSnowNW Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2013 Minnesota

    Yep...much easier to transfer 5 gallons of wort through a spigot, than upending it...though it's easily done.

    You don't really need the spot for a thermometer in a boil kettle, but you can just plug the fitting if you don't use anything there. It would probably be nice to have in the future, but definitely not necessary if you want to save a bit of money.
     
    #7 JohnSnowNW, Jan 1, 2015
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