Anyone using homebrew SS pot w/ spigot and thermometer?

[valleyman]

I'm thinking this is a good affordable solution for my hobby syrup production (3-5 gallons annually) Are any of you guys using a homebrew SS pot w/ spigot and thermometer? I'm eyeballing the 5g or 8 g for my needs.
Thanks in advance?

14609

[valleyman]

I just found this quoted from another canning question- "... Direct heat will cause niter to form in the syrup. A double boiler setup with this would be better. "

That being said, I didn't take the niter issue into consideration. I thought I would be safe as long as I kept my syrup under 190. I did see a triple clad bottom model for more $$ and it said that would prevent scorching while brewing. That might be worth the investment if any

[mudr]

Is this for the final bottling step? If so, yes, there is a concern for niter to build up post-filtering when you heat it. That said, I used a stainless stock pot for my final re-heat post-filtering and my syrup came out pretty darn clear. Would a double boiler be better? Yes. Just heat slowly and stir occasionally, I think if you crank the burner it is a bigger problem.

If this is just for the initial boiling (pre-filtering) it does not matter, obviously.

[acafro]

I used my brew kettle last season, I had no issues with niter, however I stired constanly and made sure the temp didn't reach above 190. I never had enough syrup to cover the thermometer so I had to use a separate thermometer. Mine takes about 3 gallons to make it up to the thermometer.

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[valleyman]

Thanks. Yeah. I was thinking I may not have enough syrup to cover either. That'll save me $$ by purchasing a pot with spigot only. That's always good.

A little background of my workflow. I take 3-4 gallons of sweet off my block evap. and pour thru pre filters into a SS pail. Could be a day later or a weeknight, I finish to syrup on a propane burner and pour into 1/2 gallon mason jars or a gallon glass jug. (Unfiltered) Forget about for months to let the niter settle. Then when I need some for the local fairs, I pour off being careful not to let the niter stream up and in. This has worked fine for years. By preventing the niter to stream, I lose soome syrup. But you know how it goes, always scheming up new and "better" ways.

So now here's where I'm not sure. I do this outside but thinking I'll pour the syurp from the outside pan through filters into the nice new pot, cover, quickly bring inside the nice warm house and fire up the gas range, and proceed to fill some bottles, jugs, and or mason jars. I'm getting stressed just writing this. Something doesn't seem correct. Maybe the syrup may cool too quickly from outside to inside and lock up in the filters? Suggestions

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

We just got a finisher this summer but for the past 5 years we finished 3-5 gallons at a time in a brew kettle over a propane burner. We stirred well and heated to 185-190, filter thru a press and into a coffee urn to bottle. We have had to use the urn at times to bring back up to temp and I have never noticed or got any comments about niter in our syrup contrary to what some people have claimed will happen.

[DuncanFTGC/SS]

I too am looking at brew kettles, with spigots, for my bottling setup!! I finish in a SS pot, then filter into a SS pot, reheat and ladle into Mason jars. I do not have any additional niter build up, not sure why I would get any in the brew kettle?

[Woodsrover]

I use that exact pot to finish my syrup. Yes, the thermometer is pretty high on the side so it'll take a few gallons to reach it. (That said, you're better off using a hydrometer than relying on temp to know when you're done.) The spigot is probably 1/2" off the bottom too which can work to your advantage. Keep that in mind. If I were to do it again I'd get a pot with a spigot and no thermometer.

I have an unorthodox method of filtering that this pot is good for....I'll describe to you.

I filter, filter, filter through paper cone filters from the evaporator as I'm boiling. I'll draw off 1/2-1 quart at a time through my cone filter and pour it right back into the evaporator. I do this all day, probably every 10 minutes or more as I go. When it gets close to syrup I'll draw off a quart through my cone filter and pour it into my finishing pot which sits on a propane burner in the sugar shack. As the day goes on I'll draw off that finishing pot every 10 or 15 minutes too through a cone filter and pour it back into the finishing pot. When its done and at the end of the day I'll bring that pot inside the house and set it on the stove to settle. The next day there will be a tiny bit of niter on the bottom of that pot. I draw the cold syrup from my finishing pot into a regular stock pot. I'll heat that pot only up to 190 or so and bottle from there.

And that's all the filtering I do. No filter press, no felt filters and filter stands. When I first started doing this I was stressed out about filtering but this method is simple and cheap and it works for us. I made 16 gallons last year and bottled it all in glass and there is almost no sediment in the bottles. Works for me! I go through a lot of paper filters but they're cheap.

[valleyman]

Thanks for the good info everyone!

[johnpma]

I filter filter filter :) Filter going into the pre-warmer, filter when I draw off, filter at syrup, filter the next day after re-warming to 190 degrees before filling......I too use glass and it looks very good when I'm done.

I made my own "brew pot" I bought a 5 gallon SS stock pot and tig welded a nipple on it for a threaded spigot......works great for filling. Cost me $28.00 I welded it a good 3/4" above the base for sediment to settle I save the "bottom of the barrel" for my own use and just filter once more before it goes into the mason jar