Stainless Steel Insulated Kettle

After posting in this thread here. (This shows what some people do to convert to a brew kettle).

I thought I would add it to the equipment thread as well so at least people are aware of what is available.

I have been thinking for a while about getting one of these for my next kettles.
Only thing holding me back is the effort needed to fit an element. Would make a great mash tun on its own, but thats no good for us BIABers's!

I don't think they are available outside of Europe , but seem to come from Germany mainly (there is an Ebay store and Amazon as well), which are a little cheaper than the link to that homebrew store.

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Good link Mally and very cheap. When I was looking for a decent pot back in 2010 stainless was way above my budget and I bought a second hand aluminium 52L pot for £50. I can't believe how much the price has come down. The 100L looks very affordable for a double brew.

On those insulated ones you could go bottom entry with an electric element, self fit pliable elements are available.

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2trout - Heatsticks are not that well known in these lands. I could probably import one, but the idea of them scares me anyway

Yeasty - I think that is what people end up doing. In the link to the first thread is this JBK DIY project here.

It is the cutting and plumbing that is the hard part. Not too difficult, but makes me reluctant to cut into a shiny £150 pot!

Here is one of the inside shots after all the work.

jbk1.jpg

A lot of people end up putting taps in them too, but I am thinking this would be great for a stainless steel siphon instead.

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Just to update the thread; I went and bought one of the pots and am currently in the process of modifying to a brew kettle.

KETTLE.jpg

80L double walled, insulated (I measured 45cm diameter, 50cm deep inside).
Even the lid is insulated and has a nice rubber seal (perfect for mashing if left unaltered).
You can also see the sturdy clasps & handles.

KETTLE LID.jpg

Here is a view of the shiny insides.
Look carefully and you can see the ghostly spirit still inside!

KETTLE INSIDE VIEW.jpg

I have had 2 holes cut so that I can attach 2 kettle elements (2 X 2.4 Kw) one can be turned off when boil is reached.

KETTLE INSIDE VIEW2.jpg

You can make out the 1" thick insulation too.
You may also notice that there is a distinct lack of tap, thermometer, or sight glass. Jeez I gotta keep Pat happy somehow!

I have the elements on the way, and some plans on how to fit them without leaks .
Will keep the thread updated with build progress

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Ha Ha

Nobody is polishing my pot but me!

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Thanks for your concern Richard but I have some thoughts about that.

The hole diameter on the inner skin is 40mm, on the outer skin 51mm.

There is a big debate about whether element seals should be internal or external (or both).
I will probably go for an internal seal. I have 2.5mm silicone sheet cut to size (rated at 300C, and cut like a washer).
This will sit on the inside face of the pot & element flange (Effectively be in the liquid). On the outside of the 1st skin will be an element back nut like this:

ELEMENT BACK NUT.jpg

This seals the vessel up. The larger external thread is for nothing more than a lock nut/protector to help stop any liquid getting inside the insulation area.

I unashamedly got inspiration from a UK forum; see below

ELEMENT BACK NUT plagiarist.jpg

I think there will be some deformation/flattening of the metal, but should be manageable

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Only just read this thread mally. Nice!!! (Rick has to stop posting those disturbing pics though ).

I got pretty scared when I saw the spooky spirit image but I'm okay now thanks.

Two holes, two elements - perfect!!!!!

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Elements fitted & tested, firstly filled with cold water a couple of inches above the elements and left for 2 days. No leaks.
Then half full and at 65C. No leaks.

elements fitted.jpg

Next step would be a brew day test.

Insulation seems very good too.

After the hot test I mixed up the water & took a reading - 54C
2 1/2 hours later reading 52C
2 1/2 hours later again 50C
15 hours after first reading - 44.5C.

At mash temps it would appear a good ballpark figure of 1C per hour heat loss.

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I really like the idea of an insulated pot, doesn't appear to be anything similar available around these parts that I can find tho...

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