- Purpose: Where the magic begins—boiling water, malt extract, hops, and other ingredients.
- Size: Minimum 5 gallons for beginners; 8–10 gallons recommended if you plan to move beyond simple extract brewing.
- Material: Stainless steel is best (durable, doesn’t react with ingredients). Aluminum is cheaper but requires careful cleaning.
- Experience Level: Beginner-friendly. If you can boil pasta, you can handle this.
- Pro Tip: Go bigger than you think—you’ll thank yourself when foam tries to boil over.
Brewing Kettle
Vevor 5‑Gallon Stainless Steel Brew Kettle
Affordable and compact—great for extract brewers just starting out. Includes handles and lid; plenty of headspace for a clean boil.
Concord 5‑Gallon Stainless Steel Kettle
A trusted name and solid entry-level choice, perfect starter pot to get your first batches off the ground.
Heavy‑Duty 8‑Gallon Kettle –
Great mid-size option with tri-clad bottom for even heating—ideal as a hot liquor tank or for small all-grain systems.
Brewer’s Best 8‑Gallon Brew Kettle with Two Ports
Ready for growth—comes with welded ports for ball valves or thermometers and etched volume markers for precision.
Strange Brew 8‑Gallon Basic Brewing Kettle w/ Ports
Budget-friendly 8 gal kettle with ports and internal markings—perfect when you’re serious about scalability without overspending.
Brewer’s Best 16‑Gallon Kettle with Ports
Beefed-up and customizable, this kettle is built for intermediate brewers looking to add spigots, thermometers, and more.
Vevor Electric 8‑Gallon Stainless Steel Brew Kettle
Straightforward and roomy, this 8 gal model fits comfortably on most kitchens stoves—great value for expanding batches.
Northern Brewer MegaPot Brew Kettle (likely 8 gal)
A premium mega-pot ideal for serious brewers or party-sized batches, with versatile accessory options.
BREWSIE Stainless Steel Home Brew Kettle w/Dual Filtration 10 Gallon –
Comes with spigots and internal volume marks—excellent for hands-on, DIY brewing setups.
DigiBoil Electric Kettle 9.25 G (110 V)
Electric, countertop-friendly, and versatile—perfect for apartment brewers or those craving plug-and-play convenience.
Choosing Tips Based on Your Needs
| Need / Stage | Best Options |
|---|---|
| Starting small (extract batches) | 5-gallon kettles like Craft A Brew or Brewmaster—compact and cost-effective. |
| Upgrading for all-grain or flexibility | 6-8 gallon tri-clad or ported kettles like Heavy-Duty 6 gal, 8-gal with ports, or Brewer’s BeAst. |
| Frequent large batches or future-proofing | 15+ gallon MegaPot—room to grow without upgrading again. |
| Electric & indoor brewing | DigiBoil Electric Kettle—no outdoor burner needed. |
Extra Insights from the Brew Field
A 10-gallon kettle is often the ideal choice for a “forever” kettle—big enough for 5-gallon all-grain boils without risking boil-overs.
Stainless steel is the most popular choice for durability, sanitary use, and ease of cleaning.
Look for kettles with adequate handles, flat bottoms, and volume markings—they make boil control and cleanup way easier.