28 Jan 2009
Home Brew Kettle vs. Keggle
Author: skotmigloor
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About: I recall my first sip of beer very fondly. At a very early age I was watching a baseball game with my father, and he noticed I was curious as to the colorful red and white canned beverage in his hand and finally offered me a sip. At that point I felt like I was a part of something special. As I was never able to touch those elusive drinks prior to that moment, I felt like a grown man, sipping the sudsy elixir with my dad watching sports on the tv screen.
That was a one time event though, and it wasnt until my teen years when I realized the magical effects beer can have at social functions. I became enamored immediately with the level of fun that can be had while drinking what I also had confessed was the most refreshing drink in existence.
After years of experimenting with every drink available to me, I have found my tastes and preferences have matured. Still, more so than ever I am driven by the quest to find the ultimate beverage. Though I know there is no such thing I am always trying something new to find my favorites. I enjoy variety, and also believe the only way to discover truly what you enjoy the most is by trying everything you can. Not only do you learn about the various styles and flavors associated with the many kinds of beer, but you also learn what you like as well as what perhaps you are not particularly fond of. There is a time and a mood for just about any style of beer crafted today, and the more you experience the better you are prepared to suit your own tastes.
I love beer, pure and simple.See Authors Posts (52) | Filed under: Homebrew
Anyone that knows me knows the kind of brews I like to indulge in. Robust flavors and ultra high abv are two quality identifiers I look for when it comes time to partake in my favorite beverages!
So when it comes to homebrewing, I want my brews to be big, real big. In both flavor and ABV.. So I realized my current brew kettle is too small to create the recipes I want to build and it is obviously time for an upgrade, something in the 10-15 gallon range would be preferred at this time.
These brew kettles can get pricey, especially since I am looking for the be all end all last brew pot I will likely ever need to purchase, period. I saw this beautiful brewpot made by Blichmann (seen above in all its glory) and thought it would be perfect, but the $368 price tag for the 15 gallon made me think twice. I have heard of crafting an old keg into a “keggle” and decided I would do a comparison to see how they stack up.
On a quick web based shopping spree, here is what I gathered about creating a keggle with plenty of options:
Keg – $50 + shipping $57
Weldless Spigot – $35
Bazooka Screen – $18
Weldless Thermometer – $40
Weldless “11 Sight gauge – $53
Keggle Total = $253
Blichmann 15 = $368
Blichmann 10 = $308
So in summary it looks like roughly it could stand to cost $130 more to have an all brand new ready to go with all the options 15 gallon brew kettle.. or I can go with a smaller 10 gallon Blichmann that runs for just $308, costing only about $55 more and not having to do any of the building work (or buying tools that I may not have). Granted, I would be sacrficing the extra 5 gallon capacity from the other options. I hope and think 10 gallons would contain even the largest 5 gallon boil batches still?
I am still a bit torn between the paths to ultimate brewdom based on the cost differences but am leaning towards the Blichmann 10 gallon at this point, versus the 15 gallon version or the keggle. Any advice would be highly appreciated!!
Tags: blichmann, Homebrew, keggle, kettle
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January 28th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Howdy,
I’m looking to invest in some new brewing equipment this spring as well. I was just checking out the Blichmann 10 gallon, but admittedly the price point is a bit on the high side.
So I might go with the Keggle just for the fact that I love the re-use/green aspect of a Keggle.
Great post!
Happy Brewing,
Ethan
January 28th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Nice work on the comparo! I like the sexy sleekness of the Blichmann! Plus you don’t have to worry about leaks. You know it done right with a good company to back it up.
That keggle looks a little rednecky for my taste.
I also think the pot will be easier to clean and easier to store.
Any prices on those burners and stands?
-Gile
September 8th, 2009 at 9:19 am
So where did you find that stand and burner pictured in your keggle set up?
September 8th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
The burner is a Bayou Classic SQ-14 which fits perfectly for both my 15 gallon Blichmann or for a custom keggle!! It also has the multi burner, instead of the single jet flame, I really dig it! Got it at Amazon here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009JXYQ4/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0009JXYSW&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0A2GG92HS0FQ8VTCQCE9
February 15th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
I’m going the Keggle (*snicker) route myself. Maily becuase I can’t afford the awesome rig. Seen one used before and it seemed to work well.
February 25th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
We just published a very detailed project on how to make a keggle here: http://www.homebrewing.com/articles/keggle.php
Might be a good read for someone considering the pros and cons.
February 25th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Great write up Christian!