False Bottom - Blichmann vs. Polarware

[brewpunk]

I've got a Blichmann kettle (15 gal) and a Polarware kettle and am trying to decide which to make my boil kettle and which to make my mash tun. Can anybody let me know how they like their Blichmann false bottom?

I'm worried about issues with pulling the wort from one side instead of the center, as well as the short height and if there are any problems with grain particles clogging the dip tube, especially when doing decoction mashes and disturbing the mash a lot. I've also read about warping issues.

The Polarware sits high enought and I would have a dip tube pulling from the center of it where I don't think I'd have to worry.

Any help would be appreciated!

[Kbar]

I have had so many questions about false bottom designs. I have a polarware 8 gallon false bottom in my 15 gallon Minibrew MLT. Works great one day, not so great the other. May be the crush I get from the LHBS's mills. I run a RIMS system so constant flow, or I shold say, flow at all, is important. I also blame myself for running too high of flow rates compating the grains at time.

If someone told me the Blichmann pot and false bottom works flawelessly with a RIMS (required flow) system, I would buy one tomorrow.

[jimmiec]

I use the Blichmann kettle as a mash tun and it works great. I have used it in a RIMS (extract cleared quickly) and normal mash tun. The false bottom is awesome. The dip tube has never clogged, unlike the sight glass, which is fine with me. Have not had a stuck mash even with 60% wheat and no rice hauls. Unfortunately, the Blichmann kettle is made of thin stainless steel and not a very good boil kettle due to scorching the wort. I use a Morebeer kettle for boiling. Not sure if the Polarware kettles are tri-clad bottom or the thickness of the stainless steel though.

[captain carrot]

I chose the polarware pot over the Blichmann because of the shorter height to width ratio. Less chance of a stuck mash. The tri clad bottom makes it less worrisome to heat up the mash if you miss your temp. I have a 3/8" dip tube that draws from the center and havn't had any clogging problems.
Good luck!