Check my ball valve config please

[Cully]

I have settled on the following to add a ball valve to my plastic boiler and was wondering if it will work. ( Bear with me, I have no clue about any of this stuff so had to learn it on the fly)

20 mm hole in bucket. Screw 1/2 inch stainles steel valve on to a 1/2 inch paralell nipple 2 inches long, kevlar washer between valve and outer face of bucket. Kevlar washer and Stainless steel locknut on back of nipple inside the bucket leaving enough nipple for a bazooka hop strainer.

I have been unable to source a 1/2 inch stainless steel Flanged locknut in the UK so would I be ok using an unflanged one and washers?

Its a 60 ltr boiler so has less of a curve to the sides as a 30ltr one.

[Cully]

double post

[BenB]

That's what I did on my mash run when I went brass free. Works fine. Use plenty of PTFE tape on the parallel nipple threads so the but creates a nice seal. But yes works fine. Think I used a doughty washer on the inside iirc.

[Cully]

Mint! Thats another piece of the jigsaw in place. Sort a tap and filter for my Mashtun, get a few minor bits and bobs and I'll be good to go.

[mooj]

That's a nice simple solution, so long as the outside seal is good that's all you really need. Don't bother with the inside washer as it serves little purpose and whilst ptfe tape on the threads will help prevent thread leak it just becomes a pain whilst cleaning - this setup will require disassembling with each brew regardless of ptfe tape in my opinion anyway.

[Brighteyebeer]

When I went stainless with my boiler, I used a 1/2" f/f ball valve, and a hex nipple, with the hex in the boiler. Used a white nylon washer on the inside (to protect the surface of the boiler from getting scratched by the hex), and a dowty sealing washer outside. Leaves half the hex nipple inside the boiler to connect a hop filter, and I added a s/s hosetail to the valve for hose connections. Simple, cheap, and effective - s/s components were sourced from Chinese Ebay sellers.

Cheers,
Chris

[Cully]

How high should I drill the hole from the bottom of the bucket? I have 4mm in mind between the bottom of the hole and the base?

[Brighteyebeer]

Doesn't sound like enough clearance for the locknut?

[Dave S]

How high should I drill the hole from the bottom of the bucket? I have 4mm in mind between the bottom of the hole and the base?

Thought you'd gone with a Buffalo.

[Cully]

Buffalo is dedicated HLT, and Plastic 60ltr is for boiling wort. I have gone 3 vessel system.

Now I see. I need a couple of mil clearance of the nut, that being the biggest part. I( wish this stuff came natural to me like everyone else!