Boiler Help???

[dandan]

I don't want to fork out £60++ on a boiler, so want to bodge one together using two tescos value kettle elements and a fermenting bucket or somthing similar!

Whats the best bucket to buy that will withstand the heat of a boil

Cheers

Dan Dan

 

[tubby_shaw]

Look for a bucket made from POLYPROPYLENE
This has a melting point of 160C :thumb:
You also want a reasonable wall thickness as it will become less rigid during heating.

I used one of These

 

[Hawks]

I got mine from Leyland Homebrew, they also pre-drilled the holes for elements and tap for me for next to nothing..

http://www.leylandhomebrew.com/item639.htm

I also enjoyed building it as well as saving a good few quid!!

 

[Wez]

I don't want to fork out £60++ on a boiler, so want to bodge one together using two tescos value kettle elements and a fermenting bucket or somthing similar!

Whats the best bucket to buy that will withstand the heat of a boil

Cheers

Dan Dan

I think Dan Dan is going to move over to the Dark Side :whistle: :thumb:

 

[dandan]

I don't want to fork out £60++ on a boiler, so want to bodge one together using two tescos value kettle elements and a fermenting bucket or somthing similar!

Whats the best bucket to buy that will withstand the heat of a boil

Cheers

Dan Dan

I think Dan Dan is going to move over to the Dark Side :whistle: :thumb:

:hmm: I wouldnt know what you mean! :lol:

I've made one kit to the instructions and now I just want to play around with them and make my own unique brews!
I guess next move HAS to be extract :evil: then on to the all grain when I have the correct equipment :twisted:

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

 

[Wez]

It's common for people to skip extract brewing and go straight to AG

no pressure


:grin: :thumb:




:whistle:

 

[highwayman]

Go for it DD :thumb: Come join us :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[bolty]

I skipped extract, and have no regrets! :thumb:

:twisted: Join us. Join us. Join us. :twisted:

 

[Vossy1]

dandan the dark side calling...just go straight for it, ag's really easy :thumb:
If on the other hand if you fancy trying extract...go for it...but it won't stop the dark side calling :rofl:

 

[tubby_shaw]

Make up your own mind dandan, don't bow to peer pressure :nono:
Extract brewing will give you the confidence to take the next step and produce some great beers :thumb:
But once you take the final step you'll wish you'd done it sooner :lol:

 

[Vossy1]

:lol:

 

[Muddydisco]

I went straight to the dark side Dan! I have only ever done 3 kit's and 2 Turbo ciders, Now on all grain and Can't find a way back to the light side! You might as well jump in and experiment with your own grain mixes than Liquid extracts! I just need to buy alot of cornie's from Norm now to keep up with my AG appetite!!!
And for a bucket to use Greg from Brew (Link Above) now does the same 60ltr bucket that I used in my brewery. It stands up to the heat very well.

 

[dandan]

Ok ok!! I'm convinced I'll skip Extract and go AG!!

Think im going make my own mash tun and boiler!! Got a plan in my head to make the mash tun! and have a plan to the boiler (sort of) but have a couple of Questions!

1. How do I fix a tescos kettle element in place?

2. How do i fix on a tap to ensure the tap has a good seal? (was thinking of a ball valve from screwfix)

Ta, DD

 

[ano]

It will become apparent when you take it apart. Assuming it's the same design as my m&s kettle (which I'm almost certain it is) there are some screws in the black plastic backing which are undone then when you've got a hole the element goes through and you screw the black plastic back on. Here's some pics of mine:

Dismantling the kettle:

Elements recovered:

Trimming the top bits off and extraneous wires to fit into a shroud:

On this one you can see three outermost holes are where the screws come through. This unit fits onto the reddy/orange seal you can see in the pic above which is compressed around the hole you've made:

Hope that helps.

For the tap just make sure whatever seal/washer you use is on the outside of the boiler and there shouldn't be an issue with leaking. I haven't gone ball valves yet so someone else will be along in a moment if I've got it wrong.

 

[dandan]

Thanks Ano!! Thats a great help! Nice use of the steriliser tub!

Im no plumber or electrician but like having a go at things like this!
Off to Tescos tommorrow so going to pick up two of the value kettles! Is there a switch that i would need to by-pass (because kettles cut off after its boiled), also would a old computer monitor lead work as a power lead!

Im struggling working out how to connect a tap to the mash tun (cool box) is there special adaptors/bolt/valves designed for things such as boiler taps?

 

[Muddydisco]

You can get Tank connectors from most plumbing supplies like this one

Have you had a look here also for idea's

 

[Moley]

I'm struggling working out how to connect a tap to the mash tun (cool box)

All I used was a water butt tap, around two quid from Wilko's.

Just remember you need to cut a clearance hole in the outer wall of the coolbox and through any polystyrene or foam, and a smaller hole through the inner wall.

PS: Only two AG brews so far, but the dark side's actually pretty good once you're in.

Shhh! Keep that to yourself or they'll all be coming over

 

[corby_brewer]

Ok ok!! I'm convinced I'll skip Extract and go AG!!

Think im going make my own mash tun and boiler!! Got a plan in my head to make the mash tun! and have a plan to the boiler (sort of) but have a couple of Questions!

1. How do I fix a tescos kettle element in place?

2. How do i fix on a tap to ensure the tap has a good seal? (was thinking of a ball valve from screwfix)

Ta, DD

let me know how you get on making your set up dandan. i think its about time i moved onto AG. kits are good but limited to what i can make. my stout is going to be the last kit i do.

 

[tubby_shaw]

This is the assembly order for a ball valve/tank connector assembly, if it helps

BTW you need to open out the internal bore of the tank connector to 15mm to allow your pipe through

 

[Moley]

I've already mentioned that we've got an (old and fairly tatty but suits us) narrowboat.

It really is the quickest way to slow down, tiller in one hand, beer in the other.

Well towards the Wolverhampton end of the Shropshire Union Canal there's an aqueduct over the A5.

It can be quite perversely satisfying to drift onto that aqueduct and look down with a smug sense of superiority upon all those stupid idiots hurtling around in their steel carapaces, waving at them while thinking "you pillocks".

The dark side's a lot like that