Burco MFCT1030 Stainless Steel Cygnet Manual Fill Water Boiler, Silver, 30L Capacity

This review can be taken at two levels, for general hot water provision for catering, or as a boiler for home brewing purposes. The unit is of a sturdy stainless steel construction with good quality high density plastic fittings, the photo is old the design is updated with the side handles also acting as a lid securing closure. The element (2.5Kw not the 3Kw as quoted elsewhere) is fitted with the base and accessed underneath giving the heating vessel a flat internal base with a slight recess to capture mineral deposits making it very easy to clean. With a 25 ltr water volume it heats from 10'C to a rolling boil in 1hr 10 mins (key staging on this is: 10 to 70 = 45 mins; 70 to 90'C +15 mins & 90 to a boil +10 mins). The unit has a genuine 30ltr capacity which gives sufficient head space to safely accommodate a rolling boil with water. The lid fits well with two vents and has a `lug and twist' securing method which is very easy to engage. The tap is robust and positive. It is a sound well-made unit and would be a good catering asset . In comparing the Burco Cygnet to commonly available plastic `bucket and element' brewing boilers I am very pleased. It is eminently cleanable compared to a plastic bucket and the construction will give a much longer useable life. You only get a 1-5 & High thermostat control compared to some of the digital read-outs on other kit but it can be `calibrated' by immersion thermometer and appears very reproducible (example on mine the point of the trailing edge of the 3 = 72, my mash addition temperature & 4 = 80'C, my preferred sparging temperature). I have had no boil over, to the extent I have modified my boil so that for a std 23 ltr batch I now over fill to 25 ltr and boil back. It is a strong rolling boil and is safely accommodated in the cygnet. If there is a minor (buy obvious) negative it is that all that metal probably conducts some heat away slowing things down but then how much insulation does a thin plastic bucket really give anyway? The ease of cleaning and robust construction more than compensates.The one change I have made is to replace the standard tap with a 25mm, threaded in & out, dairy ball joint, also allowing a bazooka internal filter to be fitted, a very easy job. That black stripe up the front looks like a calibrated vision panel, it isn't, but no problem. The walls are uniform and vertical, perfect for a volume indicator, but there isn't one (just the 30ltr max mark), I have got round this by putting calibrated markings on my brewing paddle, which when stood against the inside of the side wall works well.I am pleased with the unit and would buy again.UPDATE: Have now completed four brews with the Cygnet. Boil is rolling and predictable to the extent I have upped my batch to 25ltr from 23 (but boiling down and making back rather than initially over charging). Cleaning is very easy and quick. No issues with the dairy valve I added or leaking. I remain very pleased with the purchase.

After a lot of fuss and bother with delivery over the festive period, soley the couriers fault, who left it on a neighbour's drive without informing me whilst I sat in waiting for delivery, my neighbour bought it to me around a week later. Thankfully it was intact. My boiler broke, we needed a quick fix, and this proved invaluable for providing hot water. It works really well and heats up quickly and can hold plenty water at 30 litres. The water stays warm for quite a while and we would have been lost without it. The price was very reasonable and we're really happy with this purchase.

Judging by the other reviews, most people here are looking for a brew kettle. Made 2 batches now, great for the job. Here are some things I'd have liked to know when looking at this listing before I bought it: 1. No trouble at all reaching a rolling boil with the lid off, that's just not an issue, don't worry about it.2. The max fill line works out to about 23l (my 2 batches have come out around 17 and 19 litres after the boil (the 1st was a 90min boil)3. Smooth analogue control going from "off" through numbers 1 to 5, then high. I find that about half way between 3 and 4 is good for heating my strike water (low 70s °C) then a little closer to the 4 for sparge water (mid to high 70s) Then "High" for the boil. (I heat my mash/sparge water in it, but pour it to a separate mash tun, then put the wort back in for the boil.4. There's no way you're connecting anything to the tap this comes with. Siphon, pour, open the tap and let it drop, or change the tap. This would be super easy for anyone with a suitable replacement tap and an adjustable spanner, no welding or cutting required! I'm happy enough just to drop pour into the fermenter and get some aeration going, but if you use a counterflow chiller you'll need a new tap.5. Easy to clean, no awkward filth hiding spots6. On the off-chance you're not a home brewer (and even less likely, are still reading this review) I'm sure it would also make a cracking cuppa for your parishioners.

Bought specifically for Homebrew. I had read a few reviews on Amazon regarding this product and how it performs as a boiler and the most recent reviews were a bit mixed so I feel I must write this review after my first brew with it. This is an excellent, well made quality tool for the Homebrewer, it has a number of settings on the thermostat which are excellent, 3 for strike and maybe sparge or 4 for sparge depending how hot you like your sparge water to be. The boil set on "high" is an excellent rolling boil and comes up to the boil in under 15 mins from mash temperature, quick competed to my gas flame. The only criticism I could add, is when you are making a smallish batch of under 20 litres the boil maybe a little vigorous but a simmer stat should cure this. Also a point worth noting don't do a 30litre brew in it.....it won't hold it!A note about the seller, it was estimated as being delivered on the 4/2/16 - 8/2/16 and it arrived 2 days early. Top seller with rapid postage. Excellent work.