Puff puff...I just smoked a weldless valve

[GSak]

So, I recently downsized to a 2.5 gal setup. Which means 5 gal cheap pots. I finally get around to installing a weldless ball valve, and...

My Blichmann TopTier burner completely roasted the ball seat. Smoke was blowing out of the 3/8" hose barb, even.

I think I'm going to try again (with a different valve), but slip a piece of sheet metal under the valve, to block the direct heat.

Any thoughts?

[Ozwald]

The Boilermakers ship with a piece of steel for that very reason.

Also, turn down the heat a little bit. I've got the big kettles on that burner & I've never turned mine all that high.

[Bokonon]

That piece of steel they ship with has a piece of plastic film on one side. I'd recommend removing it before applying heat, unlike a, uh, friend of mine.

[Ozwald]

That piece of steel they ship with has a piece of plastic film on one side. I'd recommend removing it before applying heat, unlike a, uh, friend of mine.

Don't you just hate it when you..r friend... does stupid stuff? I know I do

Actually I've never used it since I'm using the big kettles on them & I barely have to turn the heat up on that burner. I love how efficient it is. The hardest part was learning to wait before firing it. My old square Bayou I had to fire up as I started running off so I could be above 90C when I hit volume. This sucker will bring it to a boil before I can even get 15 gallons in there if I'm not careful.