plastic boiling vessels
plastic boiling vessels
i'm planning on builing a new boiler, as my gas stove just cant bring 5 to 6 gallons to a decent rolling boil in my aluminium pan.
so, i'm thinking of a plastic boiler with an element, which cost 60 quid from a brew shop, for a bucket... and an element.... so i recon i can do it cheaper than that!
i found some really good storage barrels, made out of HDPE. having looked arround, it seems HDPE is suitable for a boiler, but PP would be better. HDPE has a melting point of 130C. has anyone got any advise on this before i start buying bits and pieces?
the barrel is a 30litre size, although, i'm tempted with going bigger, to allow for double batches... its listed on here http://www.smithsofthedean.co.uk/New%20Barrels.htm their postage charges seem a little excesive i feel, but i recon i could get the carriers we use at work to pick it up for a fiver.
so, this barrel, an element near the bottom and a tap, and i recon i'm sorted. total cost, £38, including that ridiculous postage charge.
so, any comments on the use of HDPE?
cheers,
bod.
so, i'm thinking of a plastic boiler with an element, which cost 60 quid from a brew shop, for a bucket... and an element.... so i recon i can do it cheaper than that!
i found some really good storage barrels, made out of HDPE. having looked arround, it seems HDPE is suitable for a boiler, but PP would be better. HDPE has a melting point of 130C. has anyone got any advise on this before i start buying bits and pieces?
the barrel is a 30litre size, although, i'm tempted with going bigger, to allow for double batches... its listed on here http://www.smithsofthedean.co.uk/New%20Barrels.htm their postage charges seem a little excesive i feel, but i recon i could get the carriers we use at work to pick it up for a fiver.
so, this barrel, an element near the bottom and a tap, and i recon i'm sorted. total cost, £38, including that ridiculous postage charge.
so, any comments on the use of HDPE?
cheers,
bod.
- Andy
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Can't comment on the plastic bod but I reckon two kettle elements would be the way forward - have 'em both on to get the boil going then switch one off to maintain the boil.
Myself and DaaB made simmerstat controllers to provide regulated switching of the element. I got my element out of a kettle from Wilkinsons, they're still selling them for a fiver. Have to dismantle the kettle but it's easy and you get the lead/plug included.
http://www.forumforfree.com/forums/inde ... wtopic=274
Edit: If those barrels are OK at high temperatures then they'd make a great mash tun also!
Myself and DaaB made simmerstat controllers to provide regulated switching of the element. I got my element out of a kettle from Wilkinsons, they're still selling them for a fiver. Have to dismantle the kettle but it's easy and you get the lead/plug included.
http://www.forumforfree.com/forums/inde ... wtopic=274
Edit: If those barrels are OK at high temperatures then they'd make a great mash tun also!
Well, Bod, my advice would be better safe than sorry and go for a polypropylene bucket, which is what purpose-built boilers are made from.
Even my own PP Electrim bin gets worryingly soft under boiling conditions, so anything less sturdy would be better avoided in my opinion!
I would also avoid like the plague anything that isn't made for food use. Those coloured storage barrels may leach out nasty chemicals when in contact with hot, acidic wort.
Even my own PP Electrim bin gets worryingly soft under boiling conditions, so anything less sturdy would be better avoided in my opinion!
I would also avoid like the plague anything that isn't made for food use. Those coloured storage barrels may leach out nasty chemicals when in contact with hot, acidic wort.
QUOTE (bod @ Mar 27 2006, 05:05 PM) HDPE has a melting point of 130C.
That seems pretty close to 100degC boiling point; only 30deg between boiling wort and melting. Plastic is nice and light but unfortunatley, like Jim says can get a bit wobbly when hot.
Is it not worth getting a dedicated floor-standing burner and keeping with your metal pot?
JC
That seems pretty close to 100degC boiling point; only 30deg between boiling wort and melting. Plastic is nice and light but unfortunatley, like Jim says can get a bit wobbly when hot.
Is it not worth getting a dedicated floor-standing burner and keeping with your metal pot?
JC
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QUOTE (Daft as a Brush @ Mar 27 2006, 07:23 PM)Leyland Homebrew sell their own 33L single element boiler for £35, for that you get the element, lead, bucket and tap. You can easily add another element, http://www.leylandhomebrew.com/item586.htm they will cut a hole for you if you dont have a large enough hole saw.
This is the boiler i've got, recommended to me by DAAB, and I can vouch that it works a treat. They also sell the http://www.leylandhomebrew.com/item639.htm they use in it's construction, so if you did have ago at making it you could be assured that it will stand up to the heat
This is the boiler i've got, recommended to me by DAAB, and I can vouch that it works a treat. They also sell the http://www.leylandhomebrew.com/item639.htm they use in it's construction, so if you did have ago at making it you could be assured that it will stand up to the heat