How to fit a ball valve and hop stopper to a Buffalo boiler

[Rolfster]

They were good and quick when I ordered from them.

 

[rpt]

They should come tomorrow.

 

[amusedparrot]

All of mine arrived the next day apart from one part but one they eventually sent that out it came the next day too. To be fair they had said on the website it was out of stock. So assuming you didn't have any of that they should be with you tomorrow.

 

[Pinchy]

Cheers guys,

As you suggested it arrived today .

 

[rpt]

I've now done 12 BIAB AG brews with my Buffalo with no leaks.

 

[Hainsey]

Do you think this would work the same for a plastic boiler?

 

[rpt]

Do you think this would work the same for a plastic boiler?

I don't see why not. I've thought of fitting SS taps to my plastic FVs so I'd also like to know if there's any reason you can't fit metal plumbing to a plastic vessel.

 

[Edge]

I just wanted to say thanks for this very helpful guide, I've just upgraded my 40l boiler with the ball tap and hop stopper and will be testing it soon :thumb:

 

[rats_eyes]

Thanks for this guide. I just put this together in my Apollo 40l, seems to have worked a treat. Filled it to around halfway with water to test it, no problems so far. Can't wait to get my next brew going!

 

[Toffee]

fantastic guide. I followed this for my 30L boiler and job's a good un. ta.

 

[Pinchy]

Could anyone let me know what size Q-Max cutter would be needed to do this set up on an ordinary stock pot please?

Cheers,
Pinchy

 

[Poshlloyd]

I used a 20mm qmax. The 1/2" fittings fit fine.

 

[goodolpete]

I've received all the bits as per the OP, but realised that my barrel curves
steeply inwards at the bottom for the last 2 in. If I put the
tap above this, will I have lots of wort left when I drain the
boiler, or is there a way of screwing in a bend to take the
drainage down to the floor of the barrel?

 

[goodolpete]

From BES:
14557 3/8" BSP TM, Stainless steel hose tail adaptor
20306 3/8" BSP Stainless steel 2-piece ball valve (I wouldn't recommend the 1-piece as it is reduced bore)
20176 3/4" Kevlar washer (yes, three quarters of an inch)
14461 3/8" BSP Stainless steel parallel nipple
14321 1/2" x 3/8" BSP Stainless steel reducing socket

My Kevlar washer didn't fit over the parallel nipple
Rang BES and they said it's not meant to - there's nothing they can do.
The internal diameter of the washer is 5/8 inch.
Ordered some fibre washers off eBay - hope they do.

 

[ManseMasher]

I had the same problem. I used a 90° bend from screwfix (with a 3/8 to 1/2 inch adaptor) with the hop strainer jubilee-clipped to it. The siphon effect drained mine ok.

 

[goodolpete]

I had the same problem. I used a 90° bend from screwfix (with a 3/8 to 1/2 inch adaptor) with the hop strainer jubilee-clipped to it. The siphon effect drained mine ok.

MM
Would you mind giving me the part numbers from
Screwfix as I searched for a bend and for an adaptor and cant
Seem to find any.

 

[ManseMasher]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/bent-tap-connector-15mm-x/28793

http://www.screwfix.com/c/heating-plumbing/brassware-sundries/cat831692

http://www.diy.com/departments/plumbsure-flexible-tap-connector-l500mm/195905_BQ.prd

You can either jubilee clip hop strainer straight on to the 15mm end, or if you need more length, put 15mm pipe in, tighten up and fit strainer to the end of that. As you've already got a 1/2" - 3/8" socket, one of the items on the sundries link should help.

Alternatively, get the B & Q one. Cut both ends off, keep the right-angled one, take the rubber house out, keep the braided sheath. Two jubilee clips, one to close off one end of the sheath, the other to attach the other end of the sheath to the right-angled connector. Not only do you get your adapter but a hop strainer too.

 

[goodolpete]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/bent-tap-connector-15mm-x/28793
http://www.screwfix.com/c/heating-plumbing/brassware-sundries/cat831692
http://www.diy.com/departments/plumbsure-flexible-tap-connector-l500mm/195905_BQ.prd
You can either jubilee clip hop strainer straight on to the 15mm end,
the end of what?
or if you need more length, put 15mm pipe in,
in to what?
I need to buy copper pipe, right?
does it just push fit in?
tighten up
tighten up what?
and fit strainer to the end of that. As you've already got a 1/2" - 3/8" socket, one of the items on the sundries link should help.

Hi MM, thanks for the reply and the PM. Please could you help me with my further questions?

 

[ManseMasher]

On the bent tap connector, you have the 1/2" end, which is the end in the link you can see the threads in. The other end is the 15mm end. The nut you can see will have an olive inside it, which, if you decide to extend it with a small piece of 15mm pipe (couple of inches at most) you slide over the pipe (put the nut on the pipe first, then the olive). Put the pipe into the bent tap adaptor, do up the nut. The olive squeezes around the pipe as you tighten it - compression joint.

If you don't need the extra length, discard the olive and the nut, jubilee clip hop strainer directly onto the body of the tap adaptor.

Hope that makes sense!

 

[goodolpete]

Thanks MM, appreciate your replies.