Category: FAQs

HOW TO MAKE A BREW POT

Brew pot

Making a brew pot is pretty simple as long as you have the right tools and hardware. After reading this article, you will understand the basics well enough to get started on your craft beer own project.

 


Brewing Items

  1. 3 Piece Stainless Steel Ball Valve 1/2" NPT
  2. Bulkhead
  3. Stainless Steel Barb 1/2" NPT
  4. Step bit
  5. Drill
  6. Stainless steel pot
  7. Dab of dish-washing soap, or lubricant for cutting hole into pot easier.

Close up of the 3 piece ball valve.

We decided to go with the 3 piece valve because it's the easiest to disassemble for sanitation. Other may choose the 2 piece full port valve or the 1 piece standard port to save some money, and they will still be able to mostly sanitize them, just not as easily.

Instructions:

  1. Insert the step bit into the drill and secure.
  2. Put a small dab of dish-washing soap or lubricant on the area that you would like to install the Valve/bulkhead. This should typically be at least 1 1/2" inch or more from the bottom of the pot or keg conversion. This spot will depend on your exact setup, you may have a special dip tube on the other end to get as much brew out as you can.
  3. Begin to drill into the pot with the step bit, if it won't drill through by itself then you may punch a whole first to get it started.
  4. Continue to drill down to each step until you get to the 7/8th mark, with this setup that is. On our step bit that was the bottom step.
  5. Clean the brew pot, remove any metal shavings.
  6. Insert bulk head and tighten it down on both sides.
  7. Attach the ball valve and barb.

Other Tips:

After completing the above instructions you have many options for your brew pot. You may use many different types of valves for your pot. You may use a coupler on the inside of the pot with a mesh or wire filter, a dip tube, false bottom and so on. We still need to get a dip tube ourselves or go with a filter or elbow. You may also choose to weld your valve to the pot if you like, we choose the weld-less option.