Best Brew Kettle Reviews 2018

Hello brewers! We know how excited you must be to be able to brew your own beer right from the comfort of your home. But to get the quality and the taste you want, you have to invest in the right brewing tools. The stock pot you borrowed from your kitchen cupboard may do the magic, but won’t give you the results you want. The solution is a good brew kettle with all the bells and whistles needed! In this review, we have selected and reviewed five of the best brew kettles from renowned brands in the market to help you brew like a pro! Feel free to go through! And if they don’t suit your tastes, you’re always free to pick something else from any of the brands.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Capacity

Material

Dimensions

Weight

Extras

Our Top Choice

Concord Cookware Home Brew Kettle

Since 1992, Concord Cookware has kept its top position in the cookware industry. With a primary focus on using rust-resistant materials, the company has maintained its reputation for excellence.

Strong and durable stainless steel build. Easy to assemble. Available in a number of sizes.

A bit pricey compared to other brewing kettles of the same size.

100QT, 120QT, 160QT, 180QT

Stainless steel

24.5” x 23.5”/

24 pounds

Valve, thermometer

Best Value

Bayou Classic 10 Gallon Brew Kettle Set

Bayou Classic is a family-owned business that puts the customers’ needs first. It is known for manufacturing fantastic propane burners, turkey fryers, and even brew kettles.

Easy to adapt to all-grain home brew. Stainless constructions for easier sterilization. Side calibrations for accurate readings.

False bottom sold separately.

40QT

Stainless Steel

16.4” x 16.5”

9.6 pounds

Valve, thermometer

NorthernBrewer MegaPot Brew Kettle

NorthernBrewer sets itself apart for its dedication to quality manufacturing. Its twenty-two years of market experience has enabled the brand to build an aggressive approach in the market.

Comes with a false bottom, kettle mash tun and hot liquor tank. Available in 5 sizes.

Hard to use for beginners.

32QT, 40QT, 60QT, 80QT, 120QT

Stainless steel

14.1” x 16.5”

64 pounds

Valve, thermometer, sparge arm

Blichmann Engineering BoilerMaker™G2

Blichmann Engineering boasts of the best quality brew kettle manufacturing in the market. With over 25 years of home brewing expertise, it continues to offer the best innovations.

Quality build. Lifetime warranty. Ample kettle sizes available.

Doesn’t come with a false bottom.

From 30QT to 220QT

Stainless steel

12.2” x 12.2”

17 pounds

Valve, thermometer

SS Brewing Technologies 10 Gal Brew Kettle

SS Brewing Technologies thrive as expert brew kettle manufacturers. The brand continues to strive in order to hold its place in the competitive brew products industry.

Durable heavy duty stainless steel build. Easy handling. Affordable.

Doesn’t include a false bottom.

40QT

Stainless steel

16.5” x 13.8”

20 pounds

Valve, thermometer

(Updated December 13, 2017)

Skip ahead and go directly to the reviews.

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How Do I Choose the Best Brew Kettle?

Home brewing is a fast-growing trend with many craft beer lovers around the world. In recent years, the home brew industry witnessed an increase in the number of kegerators, brewing kits, and related products such as keg taps being purchased for home use, and that’s really great news.

Whether new to the trend or already a seasoned brewer, a central and vital piece of equipment to home brewing is a brew kettle. A huge part of the brewing business takes place in the brewer’s kettle. It goes without saying that a high-quality brewer’s kettle is necessary, or your experiment at home brewing could fast become a failed batch.

Many people are content with using a stock pot instead of a brew pot to boil their grain, but if you are an avid beer lover, then this is a non-option.

The truth is that stock pots can withstand the long periods required to bring your wort to boil, but just try out this experiment: grab a glass of beer from someone who brews with a brew kettle and compare the taste with your stock pot beer. There’s no way the taste will compare, because the brew kettle beer is far superior. If you’re a beginner, starting with a stock pot is alright, but to really create something special, a brew kettle is key.

If you’re reading this, then you’re probably seeking a brew kettle to replace that stock pot. We’ll walk you through everything when looking for a good brew kettle.

Price

How much you’re willing to spend affects the kind of brew kettle you can purchase. A good, sturdy brew kettle can be purchased for between $80 to $400. The major factor that contributes to the difference in price is the metal used to make the kettle; stainless steel will cost more than aluminum. Other additional features like an integrated thermometer also affect price.

Cheap brew kettles shouldn’t be considered. Remember, you’ll be dealing with a large pot with extremely hot stuff inside. Many of these cheapies come with poorly riveted/welded handles that can easily give way when handling a full pot of boiling wort! All that just to save a couple bucks? Play it smart and go for a quality brew kettle instead. Depending on individual taste, it might pinch a little but you’ll be safer and never have to purchase another one again.

Features

Why don’t we check out the important features to consider while selecting a brew kettle?

Size
Material
Construction
Extra features

Construction and Design

There are two main types of materials used to make brew kettles: stainless steel and aluminum. Many prefer stainless steel to aluminum because it’s easier to clean and chemically inert (it doesn’t react). The only issue is that stainless steel is generally more expensive.

Aluminum is lightweight and not as expensive as stainless steel. There are fears about the toxicity of aluminum, but most commercial outfits use aluminum stockpots, so really it’s a matter of what you prefer.

You should note that whether you go for stainless steel or aluminum, cleaners containing bleach shouldn’t be brought anywhere near your kettle as they could degrade any of these metals.

In terms of construction, go for riveted handles instead of welded. It’s the welded handles that are more likely to fail at an inopportune moment (like when you’re carrying a pot brimming with boiling hot wort!).

Also, ensure the walls of your pot are relatively thick. It will help your kettle take the abuse of an occasional fall or impact. Some kettles even come with a tri-clad bottom, which helps to distribute heat better and prevent wort from being scorched.

Performance and Ease of Use

The size purchased should be your number one consideration because it impacts what can be brewed and how much. If you’re beginner, three gallons is probably sufficient. But for the pros, you need to boil as much wort as possible.

Here’s a tip to contain boiling over: get a kettle that’s at least 1.5x the quantity you hope to brew. If you are looking to do a 5-gallon batch, then get a pot that’s at least 7.5 gallons in capacity.

A few extras to consider are listed below:

An integrated thermometer: No need to get a separate thermometer or go round borrowing one.
An integrated ball valve spigot that helps drain the brew into the fermentor.
Graduated volume markings or a sight glass: this will help you monitor the different levels of your brew, pre-boil and post-boil.

What is the Best Brew Kettle?

Now that you’ve gone through our guide, we’re sure some ideas are already brewing in your head about the kind of kettle that’s best for you. We will now go down to the reviews and see what’s hot among brew kettles today.

Our Top Choice

The Concord Cookware Home Brew Stainless Steel Kettle features a sturdy, polished build, with all the needed accessories to get your beer ready just as you want it. If you don’t need all the fittings (valve and thermometer), you can save a few bucks and get the CONCORD Stock Pot Brewing Beer Kettle.

Concord Cookware Stainless Steel Home Brew Kettle Stock Pot – Available in 5 Sizes

Concord Cookware Brew Kettle 180 QT/ 45 Gal

Features

Concord Cookware has been manufacturing stainless steel cookware and other kitchen appliances since 1992. Over the years the company has maintained its position as one of the biggest brands in the industry.

The CONCORD Stainless Steel Home Brew Kettle makes it to the top of the list for a couple of reasons. Besides the fact that it’s made by one of the biggest names in the kitchen appliance industry, the brew kettle looks pretty sturdy thanks to the polished stainless steel build. Using this brew kettle is a breeze as it comes with a thermometer and a ball valve for easy control.

You would only need to part with about $295.98 to get your hands on this impressive brew kettle and enjoy its features. Here are some to expect:

Comes with multiple accessories that are made from quality stainless steel
Includes a hangable lid on the side of the kettle
Easy to clean with a full weld-less build
Easy assembly that only takes ten minutes or less with minimal tool requirement

If you would rather get a different size brew kettle, Amazon offers the CONCORD Stainless Steel Home Brew Kettle in various sizes, ranging from an 80QT to 100QT and the 160QT.

Not what you are looking for? A bit pricey for you? Check out more brew kettles by Concord!

Best Value

The Bayou Classic 10 Gallon Brew Kettle Set comes with components that can be adapted for all-grain home brew. It’s a 10-gallon brew kettle featuring a stainless steel construction to enable for easier sterilization. If you have a few more dollars to spare on a larger brew kettle, perhaps one with a 16-gallon capacity, then you’d appreciate the Bayou Classic 16 Gallon 6 Piece Brew Kettle.

Bayou Classic 10 Gallon Stainless Steel Brew Kettle Set – 40 Quarts

Bayou Classic Brew Kettle 800-440

Features

Bayou Classic is a trusted brand that brings the best cooking supplies to your kitchen. It continues to be reliable even after many years of experience in the industry.

The Bayou Classic 10 Gallon Brew Kettle Set is the best value pack brew kettle because of its affordability and convenience. It comes with a feature for easy adaptability to all grain home brewing, with essential components for malt extract home brewing. For more natural brewing and accuracy in your measurements, this brew kettle comes with numbers on the inside that measure up to 9 gallons for your convenience.

At this point, we know that you must be excited to check out other features that make the Bayou Classic 10 Gallon Brew Kettle affordable and convenient, so let’s take a look.

Built for quick sterilization after brewing with its stainless steel construct
Comes with an easy-to-read thermometer with indicators for multiple brew ranges and easier functionality
Features calibrations on the inside for accuracy when setting your water level
Equipped with a low side indication that supports a false bottom to reduce amount of grains and particles going into the spigot chamber while brewing

Not satisfied with this brew kettle? Want one with a larger tank capacity? Check out what else Bayou Classic has to offer!

The NorthernBrewer MegaPot 1.2™ Brew Kettle is built for pros and aspiring brewers alike. It is built to perfect the challenging aspects encountered in brewing, from recipe experimentation to decoction mashing. If you are on a tight budget and want a quality 10-gallon brew kettle, you’d be happy to get the MegaPot 1.2 Stainless Steel Brew Kettle Pot - 10.

NorthernBrewer MegaPot 1.2 All Grain Brewing Equipment Kit System – Available in 5 Sizes

NorthernBrewer Brew Kettle MegaPot 1.2 – 15 Gallon

Features

NorthernBrewer has grown tremendously since 1993. What began as founder Chris Farley’s venture is now a retail business that has expanded into a major home brewing company.

When it comes to all-grain brewers, the MegaPot 1.2™ Pro All-Grain Brewing System is a must-have. It comes with quality components that make brewing efficient and enjoyable. This brew kettle is built with the expert brewer in mind as it comes with the kind of technology that perfects your beer the way you like it. With even heating and plenty of head space, the set retail price of $419.99 is worth every penny.

Let’s check out the features that make the MegaPot 1.2™ Pro All-Grain Brewing System an expert home brewer's favorite.

Comes with an internal volume marking for better accuracy when setting up your water levels
Has an in-built thermometer and ball valve for precise temperature settings of different brewing variations
Features the capacity to handle challenging brewing aspects, making it ideal for professional brewers
Capable of handling all-grain brewing efficiently for pro and aspiring brewers
Equipped with a scientific ratio that is ideal for getting rid of wort loss and boil-off

Don’t have that much to spend? NorthernBrewer offers other brew kettles that are more affordable and very functional!

The Blichmann Engineering BoilerMaker™G2 is a heavy gauge brew kettle made from stainless steel with a sleek brush finish. It comes fully equipped with a valve and a thermometer. If you are a pro brewer and want a beer wort chiller, then we believe that the Blichmann Therminator, Beer Wort Chiller could interest you.

Blichmann Engineering Gas Boilermaker G2 Brew Kettle – Available in 6 Sizes

Blichmann Engineering Brew Kettle BoilerMaker – 7.5 Gallon

Features

Home brewers understand the quality work that goes into every brewing aspect. Blichmann Engineering understands the weight of effort required for complete brewing; therefore, it strives to avail the necessary tools to experts. Its philosophy is based on tackling common problems and presenting quality solutions to each situation.

The Blichmann Gas Boilermaker is a brew kettle with a difference. It features a Bluetooth-interactive brew vision thermometer that complements your efficiency. It also comes with glass-filled, high-impact nylon handles for a cool and comfortable touch that also adds up to its durability. This brew kettle is packed with amazing features and quality accessories that make its set price of $274.99 a total bargain.

Now let’s look at particular features that make the difference for this brew kettle.

American-made construction guarantees quality
Has a lifetime warranty for best value
Comes with a linear flow valve for easy fine tuning flow rate while brewing
Has a sleek brush finish that hides fingerprints and stains helping you keep your brew kettle clean and sturdy for long
The package includes accessories such as the dip tub, level gauge and thermometer for convenience

If you are in the search for a different capacity brew kettle from Blichmann Engineering, you can check out Amazon for its offering of different kettle capacities.

Want a different fit? Well, don’t worry; Blichmann is all about brew products. Check out other options on Amazon!

The SS Brewing Technologies 10 Gal Brew Kettle is a heavy-duty, 18-gauge stainless steel kettle with internal etched markings that start from 2 gallons. The package comes with a thermometer and a valve. If you want to make your brewing experience even more exciting, we suggest that you get the SS Brew Bucket Fermenter as well.

SS Brewing Technologies 10 Gallon Stainless Steel Brew Kettle

SS Brewing Technologies Brew Kettle BE370

Features

SS Brewing Technologies was first launched in 2013 with the goal of inventing high-quality brewing equipment. With a variety of market certified products to its name, the company has grown tremendously in less than 4 years!

The SS Brew Kettle brings a lot of surprises to the table with its integrated trub dam and pickup tube that is assembled into the back of the kettle. If you are a home brewer that likes to get it right before taking the wort out into the fermenter, this brew kettle is the tool you need. Currently retailing at just $180, the SS Brew Kettle sets up a bargain that is hard to ignore.

Let’s check out some of the features that make this brew kettle awesome.

Comes with strong riveted handles for safety and easy handling
Has internal etched makings for accurate volume measurements that start at 2 gals
Built to last with its 18-gauge heavy duty construct
Also has a thermometer port located at the 4 gal level for accurate measurements
Has a total volume of 10.7 gallons which is convenient for all aspects of brewing

Want another brew kettle with a different capacity? Check out what SS Brewing Technologies offers on Amazon.

Get the Best Brew Kettle of 2018!

We’re sure you’ve spotted the perfect brew kettle for you from our top five. Why not go ahead and place that order?!

Our Top Choice

Concord Cookware Home Brew Kettle

Best Value

Bayou Classic 10 Gallon Brew Kettle Set

NorthernBrewer MegaPot Brew Kettle

Blichmann Engineering BoilerMaker™G2

SS Brewing Technologies 10 Gal Brew Kettle