Is an Aluminium Pan ok for brewing?

[Greyhound]

Hello, I am just getting back into brewing 'Beer' again after a long break. Having done the 'Tinned' kits for a while I have decided to try a couple of 'semi' Mash kits.(Way To Amarillo and Rocker APA) However, they state that you need to boil quantiites of water that the average saucepan does not hold.
However, my other half has kindly said that I can use her 'Jam' pans! (I think this may have an alterior motive somewhere! :shock: )
Anyhow, I may be mistaken, but I vaguely remember reading that you should not use 'Aluminium' for brewing, is this correct or will I be ok using them?

 

[Brewmarc]

I used an 8 gallon alluminium stock pot for my extract brews for years with no problems & I used it recently to brew a mead. I think you have to be carefull with some sterilising solutions though. :thumb:

 

[Moley]

You may use aluminium for boiling beer :thumb:

You shouldn't use aluminium for winemaking, where it contains fruit acids.
I would have thought that would also apply to jam making :wha:

Clean the pan with soapy water and a scouring pad, don't use bleach or anything caustic.

 

[Greyhound]

You may use aluminium for boiling beer :thumb:

You shouldn't use aluminium for winemaking, where it contains fruit acids.
I would have thought that would also apply to jam making :wha:

Clean the pan with soapy water and a scouring pad, don't use bleach or anything caustic.

I am not going to let the other half read this..It could lead to all sorts of complications..She is in charge of the cooking, baking, preserving etc, and 'I' do not interfere! The Rules... :whistle:

But thanks anyway, I will take note!

 

[screamlead]

You may use aluminium for boiling beer :thumb:

You shouldn't use aluminium for winemaking, where it contains fruit acids.
I would have thought that would also apply to jam making :wha:

Clean the pan with soapy water and a scouring pad, don't use bleach or anything caustic.

Ah i see a plan forming - i had heard not to use for winemaking but went and bought 2 massive alu cooking pots 1 is about 30 ltr and the other is about 50-60 - well big!
Anyone know if they would be any good to turn into those brew pots you guys are using for the all grain/mash brewing??
I dont think i can get big stainless pots here (turkey) but they do make massive alu ones and cheap too, plus all the plumbing gear is cheap as chips too and electric pumps. Just need to find somewhere for those PID and sensors - maybe pick em up in UK sometime.

 

[Brewmarc]

You may use aluminium for boiling beer :thumb:

You shouldn't use aluminium for winemaking, where it contains fruit acids.
I would have thought that would also apply to jam making :wha:

Clean the pan with soapy water and a scouring pad, don't use bleach or anything caustic.

Ah i see a plan forming - i had heard not to use for winemaking but went and bought 2 massive alu cooking pots 1 is about 30 ltr and the other is about 50-60 - well big!
Anyone know if they would be any good to turn into those brew pots you guys are using for the all grain/mash brewing??
I dont think i can get big stainless pots here (turkey) but they do make massive alu ones and cheap too, plus all the plumbing gear is cheap as chips too and electric pumps. Just need to find somewhere for those PID and sensors - maybe pick em up in UK sometime.

Dont see any problem with using one as a wort boiler with a couple of kettle elements & a ball valve tap or even on a gas burner:thumb:

 

[screamlead]

Thanks for reply Moley,
I may go down the gas heating route as i can get those quite cheap here and also i have tons of space upstairs - 70M2 & 22M2 roof terraces and attic space to brew in too, complete with water supply and drainage as well.
I may even stick in a 2nd solar water heating system too as this goes to 85c when the suns out - only get about 2-3 days as year where its not red hot water.

 

[Moley]

Thanks for reply Moley,

That was Brewmarc, not me.

 

[screamlead]

Thanks for reply Moley,

That was Brewmarc, not me.

Lol apollogies to both.

 

[jamesb]

You shouldn't use aluminium for winemaking, where it contains fruit acids.
I would have thought that would also apply to jam making :wha:

:wha:

That makes sense I guess, but my jam and chutney pan is aluminium. Perhaps in my Gran's day (it's that old) they didn't care too much.

It's made many a nice jar of preserve throughout the generations though, and only 2 out of three of us are no longer around.