Beer Forum

What kind of saw and blade do I need to use to cut a notch in my stainless kettle lid for an immersion chiller? If I remember correctly, John Palmer talked about it on one of the Brew Strong episodes but I can't remember which one. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I used a fiberglass reinforced cutting wheel on my dremel tool. Then I got lazy and I didn't even "clean it up". I still have some crazy, finger-slicing burrs on there and some discoloration from the heat of the cut. 8 brews later - no issues. I suppose I should get around to cleaning it up.


Mylo

Rather than cut the stainless lid, I went down to the local restaurant supply store and purchased a second lid that is the same size made of aluminum. It is easier to cut than stainless.

Thanks for the great ideas and all the help. I found the Brew Strong episode too. Now time to weigh my options.

FWIW... I did the same as Mylo.. Dremel with cut off wheels, i ground off the burrs with a grinding wheel tho. I did get some card board and made it the same as the lid to test fit, once i got it to my liking easy peazy...

Stewbacca wrote:FWIW... I did the same as Mylo.. Dremel with cut off wheels, i ground off the burrs with a grinding wheel tho. I did get some card board and made it the same as the lid to test fit, once i got it to my liking easy peazy...

Ditto on the cardboard cutout. I got a thick aluminum lid from a hardware store. Since my immersion cooler doesn't exit at the precise edge of the lid, I had to cut in about 2 inches x 1.5" wide. I then cut that piece down and JB-welded a hinge on this little piece to close the lid around the outside of the immersion chiller. It's somewhat near being air-tight! It also partially locks the lid in place, so when an earthquake comes the lid won't fall off

I'm asking friends who has a ban saw with a thin fine-toothed blade. Set on a slower speed that would let me cut out the piece just right and keep it. I'm going to try and source some all stainless hinges and tiny bolts and nuts to then hinge the piece on the lid so I can still use the lid without a hole when needed.

I admire your dedication to SS, but it probably doesn't matter for this. And making screw holes isn't going to help things much... Sure, JB Weld looks a little ghetto if you know what you're looking at, but it works, and it's on the outside of the lid anyway...