smokkin wrote:I know you shouldn't use brass fittings on your kettle, as it can leech lead into your beer, and I know you shouldn't use an aluminum boil kettle, because it may cause metallic flavors. What about using them for a hot liquor tank?
It sounds like a couple of things you "know" just ain't so. Brass fittings are just fine on a kettle. There is a tiny bit of surface lead but that can be easily taken care of. John Palmer, our resident metallurgist, describes the process here.
http://www.howtobrew.com/appendices/appendixB.html
Also there is nothing wrong with using an aluminum boil kettle. The only way you can get metallic flavors from it is if you get really aggressive with a scouring pad when you clean it. When you first get an aluminum pot you just boil some water in it. This will cause a thin layer of aluminum oxide to form. This layer is much harder than straight aluminum and seals the pot against anything that might happen from being exposed to the wort and vice versa. It is just an old wives tale that aluminum pots cause any problem. Buy a stainless steel pot because it looks cool, NOT because there is anything wrong with an aluminum pot. Aluminum pots actually work better because of better heat transfer characteristics. The amount of money you will save by buying aluminum over stainless will pay for most of the rest of your setup.
Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company
