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Leather Pot Insulation

Post #1 made 14 years ago
by de5m0mike
I'm thinking about wrapping my pot in leather to help insulate during the mash. I have access to loads of free leather from work. I'm currently using some packing blankets but I don't like how bulky and cumbersome they are. I did a little poking around online and it looks like leather has a pretty good insulation value. I also think it would be pretty easy to cut some pieces to size and wrap them around my pot and hold in place with a belt strap or bungee cord or something. Not to mention the fact that it would look pretty cool. I also like the idea that although not fireproof, they wouldn't likely burst into flames if I needed to heat up a mash. Right now if I come in low on my mash temp, I have to pull all the insulation off my pot and heat it up over the flame before wrapping it backup. I'm thinking I may even be able to leave it on during the boil. What do you guys think? Would this be worth trying?

Post #2 made 14 years ago
by joshua
Good Day, It is a bit old fashion, or really 1800's, Leather is good for some insulation, 3-4 layers work pretty well, It may work well at our lower temperature. if it's free. go for it!
Honest Officer, I swear to Drunk, I am Not God.
    • SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America

Post #3 made 14 years ago
by Yeasty
MMMM leather :yum: perhaps with a whip and some thigh length boots..oops wrong forum :idiot: :idiot: :lol:

No seriously I can see it working, 3 layers with some of that shiny mylar space blanket material sandwiched between each layer should work a treat and be hard wearing to boot. (no pun intended :lol: )
Why is everyone talking about "Cheese"
    • SVA Brewer With Over 50 Brews From Great Britain

Post #5 made 14 years ago
by joshua
Good Day, Space blanket is a Mylar Laminate, Go "Old School" and use aluminum foil, as it can take much higher temperatures!
Honest Officer, I swear to Drunk, I am Not God.
    • SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America

Post #8 made 14 years ago
by Ziggybrew
I want to try that. How would that Reflectix work If I wrap it around my kettle after flameout and the burner is still hot? Or will it cool enough while I'm doughing-in? I did see that it is flame retardant, but I didn't want it to melt to the sides of the burner legs. It would be nice to wrap the sides, at least, before starting to add grains. Then cover it completely. I suppose I could cut it short enough to not go past the bottom of kettle...duh? Just thinking out-loud. I can't get hold of that much leather. (Hmmm, maybe I just found a good use for all of those feral cats in my neighborhood)

Post #10 made 14 years ago
by joshua
Good Day, I know now....Flames and Reflectix dont work toghter, Reflectix gets soft and sticky over 100C/212C. I needed to wrap it with "Multi-Purpose Foil Tape" seal the edges, and cover all that touches the kettle.
Honest Officer, I swear to Drunk, I am Not God.
    • SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America

Post #11 made 14 years ago
by de5m0mike
joshua wrote:Good Day, I know now....Flames and Reflectix dont work toghter, Reflectix gets soft and sticky over 100C/212C. I needed to wrap it with "Multi-Purpose Foil Tape" seal the edges, and cover all that touches the kettle.
Do you think it would be okay if it was sandwiched between two pieces of leather? I could have it stitched around the edges so none of the reflectix is showing.
Last edited by de5m0mike on 19 Dec 2011, 08:43, edited 4 times in total.

Post #12 made 14 years ago
by joshua
Good Day, That should work fine, the mylar plastic gets soft/sticky, But keeps its shape very well, mostly from the Aluminum foil facing. You may be able to just roll the leather edges over and not need stiching. If you wrap layers one by one, you may be able to form a cylinder shape that keeps its shape. I used spray adhesive to layer the insulation.
Honest Officer, I swear to Drunk, I am Not God.
    • SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America

Post #14 made 14 years ago
by de5m0mike
I ended up having to do the sewing myself, and it turned out to be a little more difficult that I thought it would be. Some of the details didn't quite turn out as nicely as I would have liked, but I rekon it will do the job. And if it does work well, I can always make another one. I'll Just have to use the right kind of machine next time. One specifically made for leather. My dad repairs industrial sewing machines for a living, so it depends on what kind of machine he has in the shop at the time. I asked him to let me know when he gets a good one in

I've got two layers of reflectix sandwiched between two pieces of leather, on both the sides and on the lid. Looks pretty bad ass if I do say so myself.
Image
Last edited by de5m0mike on 21 Dec 2011, 05:29, edited 3 times in total.

Post #18 made 14 years ago
by Yeasty
:clap: :clap: :clap: That is brill :clap: :clap: :clap:

And I suppose in the summer you can fill it full of ice and use it as a cooler..it would look cool at a picnic.

:salute:
Why is everyone talking about "Cheese"
    • SVA Brewer With Over 50 Brews From Great Britain
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