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Hey Folks,

I am a first time poster here, and I think it's a doozie:)

So, I would like to build a 1/2 barrel 3-vessel E-HERMS and want to start with the stainless steel pots (~30-40 gallon capacity pots) but do not want to pay a king ransom for the pots. Since I will be running all electric coils and HERMS to maintain temps, do I need to invest in the thicker, more efficient pots or could I get away with economy pots and save my money to build the panel (which I am certainly gonna need)?

I guess the essence of my question is whether or not those Blichmann pots are really worth the $1k price tags (X3) or can I pay $250 a piece for the econo pots and just allow my coils to kick in a little more on brew days?

What say you? ...and thanks for having me:)

Boris

I have a 15gal eHermes keggle setup. I would say pot quality has more to do with how rugged you want them to be. If they're going to be stationary I wouldn't worry about it.

Higher quality pots are not significant in terms of maintaining temps if that's what your concerned about.

Blichmann are way overpriced IMO. There are definitely cheaper decent quality pots.

Allan is right about maintaining temps. You'll be recirculating through a HERMS coil after all. You can always wrap a vessel in reflectix if you need as well.

Lest we forget what each of the pots is used for.

For example, a HLT really doesn't get man handled at all, it's there to make hot water.

The mash tun is handled during cleaning, however, other than scraping the grain out and rinsing, nothing really goes on there.

The boil kettle, in my opinion, takes the greatest abuse. Foam/hop ring above the wort level, carmalized stuff on the bottom, etc..

I run a 30 gallon SS BrewTech pot, couldn't be happier, rugged "little" thing with good bottom and nice side wall thickness, good handles and cover. Cheap - NO. According to OBK, almost 15 pounds heavier than the fully dressed Blichman equivalent.


All three pots the same is nice to look at, but really not necessary, IMHO.

One of the factors driving cost differences between economy vs Blichmann/SS Brew tech is material.

Most economy pots are 200 series stainless, where the premium ones are 304SS.
I personally think 200 series is fine for what we use them for, but theres a fair bit of debate out there about it.