Aluminium vs Stainless Steel

[Ste_Mulv]

Hello hello,

I have always used aluminum pots for my crude all grain brews, and they have been very successful despite the lack of science and measurement I didn't employ!
Now is the time for me to build my new brewery. I am going big at home, and heading for a 1BBL brewery and investigating options.

Everyone loves stainless steel, but what is wrong with poor old aluminum? I am looks at 3 options, all aluminum, all stainless or stainless with a thick aluminum base for the HLT, MLT and Cu.

Is there any reason to avoid alu other than the look of stainless?

Steve

 

[LeithR]

From previous posts I think Ali is prone to pitting and attack from hot liquids and cleaning agents which reduces your ability to sanitize and keep it clean.
SS does not suffer (so badly) from this problem.
We are basically taking our lead from industry standard.

 

[oshodisa]

http://byo.com/stories/item/1144-metall ... omebrewers

The above article by John palmer may be of interest.

 

[Vossy1]

As for Leiths post :thumb: Aluminium will be fine but over time will pit and for that reason may not be suitable where sanitation is required. John Palmer mentions aluminium not corroding in brewery use, ask to see any long standing jam makers pan, and you will see that use with acidic liquids over time will pit aluminium.

 

[Ste_Mulv]

Thanks for all the advise. It would seem tone a false economy not to go with stai less straight away, so i will get buying stainless!

Thanks for the help!