by db1979 » Sun Mar 29, 2020 8:43 am
Two elements are better than one. Use one for heat up and then run off one for your run. Whether you start over or not, I'd get two elements, so either weld two sockets into the other keg or one in your old one.
I'd also get a drain added too. Get at least a 1" drain, otherwise it takes ages to drain. If you don't add a drain you'll have to tip the keg to empty it and that means waiting for it to cool... Which is bloody ages for a boiler mostly full of (mostly) water. Having a drain means you can do back to back runs and smash out heaps on a single day.
Some guys flip the keg and use the 2" opening as the drain. So if you use the new keg, that'll mean you'll need to add a new ferrule to the keg for your still mount.
Get your elements as low as possible so you can still run small volumes. Also, low elements are more efficient as hot fluids rise, low elements take advantage of heat transfer by convection.