Which Boiler Should I buy?

[brendan1952]

Hi All,

I am starting to look at gear for a still, as a first step I need to get a boiler (to boil the water I use for making my cider - Sydney water is putting more and more chemicals into the tap water and boiling it in my 10lt stockpot is getting tedious) I will then use the boiler as part of my still until I can locate a suitable large SS vessel/drum/keg.

My local HBS has two, the T500 from NZ with I think a 45mm hole at the top and a very similar one marked as Australian that has a 60mm hole, is one size better than the other? I am thinking of getting a pot still condenser made first.

Any advice appreciated.

Regards

Brendan

[mullamulla]

I'm a big fan of the ole 50L beer keg boiler, 5Star on here sells elements and couplings etc.

His new big custom 130L stainless jobbies are somewhat semen inducing though :oops:

[The Stig]

My local HBS has two, the T500 from NZ with I think a 45mm hole at the top and a very similar one marked as Australian that has a 60mm hole, is one size better than the other? I am thinking of getting a pot still condenser made first.

They are both made in China, probably in the same factory.
he t500 made to SS spec and the 60mm to Pure Distilling spec

[crow]

Hold off and look around before committing to this sort of still you might find there is much much better for much much less

[R-sole]

I'd be looking for a beer keg boiler myself. Get a cheap keg, get a drain welded on the bottom and a couple of triclamps for elements or even a couple of 1" nipples if you didn't want the elegant solution.

Find a nice little engineering shop that will do it for a carton for you. Easier if you've already drilled the holes.

kegboiler1.jpg

This is the perfect set up. Add a 1" socket to the top of the keg for a refil port and that's as good as it gets.

Then either a homemade or purchased still with good capacity (not from the brew shop) will clip straight to the 2" neck of the keg.

[Twisted]

How do you get in to clean the keg after a run?

[Frank]

+1 what 5Star said (even if you 'just' get a good original condition, 50l stainless keg)

from there....the options are almost endless :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[SBB]

How do you get in to clean the keg after a run?

You should only need to give it a good flush out or a squirt with a hose or domestic size gurney to keep it clean.

[R-sole]

Yes, it only needs a rinse with a hose. Worse comes to worse and you want to clean it one year, fill with PBW or napisan/oxyclean/sodium percabonate and soak overnight.