New Brew Kettle

[Brew Engineer]

This wont be much for some of you equipment fiends out there, but I just got myself a turkey fryer to go full boil. I'm slowly sneaking equipment past the wife to get to all grain. So, my ex boss, who now owns a hardware store, gave it to me free, brand spanking new, in return for supplying him with beer. Good deal!!!

What would be the best way to install a ball valve? Haven't done a search yet, but does morebeer have a kit for this? How far up from the bottom would be the best location to install it? I'm figuring at least an inch(??) for the break and hop material.

[DannyW]

Morebeer sells this weldless valve or if it is a stainless pot, you can get someone to weld in a coupler for you.

Edit: fixed URL tag

[SoCalBrewer]

B3 also sells a weldless ball valve so all you need to do is drill the hole. I would start with a small drill bit than use a step bit. They sell a couple diferent valves in stainless and not stainless.

[Crut]

While at a banquet last week i was talking to a buddy of mine who informs me that hes got two 1/2 bbls sitting in his garage that hes willing to give me for a couple homebrews, score. Another friend is a welder with plasma cutter access so they will be getting chooped for my brew sculpture set up. He said hes also got a couple pumps, gotta check them out this week. It always pays to have friends with connections and get those feelers out.

[Brewby]

I put a weldless valve on my turkey cooker (aluminum) I used a step bit on my drill and it was very easy.

Step Bit:


I latter did the same on a SS keggle and it was a little more work, but no trouble at all.

Either way you will probably need to put a dip tube on the inside so you can drain it to the bottom.

Something like this:

[Brew Engineer]

Thanks Brewby- couple questions:

How far from the bottom did you drill your hole?
Is that just braided tube?
How did you crimp the end closed?
What's the circular feature in the bottom of your kettle? Part of the pot, or part of the dip tube assembly?
I assume your filter works well to filter out the trub etc. and recover the majority of the wort? How much wort do you usually leave behind?

Ok, that was a lot of questions...
Thanks-

[bub]

oooohhhhh kay....
the second pix looks like a converted keg.
on a pot I would install the spigot 3/4-1 inch on center from bottom.
you don't want to suck the shit off the bottom.... ooh there is a quote for you!... it will just cause you problems... ask me how I know.
so once you have your pot and spigot... boil then whirlpool at/after chilling... when I say whirlpool I mean stir the shit out of that fucker then let it be for 20-30 minutes... you probably need to take a serious piss at this point so go drain the lizard, give the wife a little slap and tickle then get your ass back out there and empty that pot into your fermenter. Done! clean up you lazy shit and go watch LA Ink or Nick at Night or something. Snoochies.
BUB

[Brew Engineer]

OK Bub, so you want sloppy thirds on Chad's beyotch (after Chad and the old guy neighbor), but you wont suck the shit off her bottom??? I'm disappointed in you.

Otherwise, after laughing out loud reading your response, I was actually able to glean some really useful information from you Bub, thanks!