Potsill Insulation (Keg and Column)

[Frank]

I (now) have a (2.5" copper) potsill that runs off a 50l ss keg boiler heated by an LPG burner.

So.....(no doubt, on a personal note), what is the best readily-available/acquired and preferably-inexpensive options for temperature insulating the keg and column for a strip/spirit run please?
My focus is safety and efficiency BTW.

:whistle: Happy to include insulation suitable if there is an electric heatsource too, of course .. its just not my focus ;-)

[maheel]

cut down 44Gal drum over the top with air holes for burner air ?

drum will get f'ing hot but...

[MacStill]

P1311231.jpg

[Frank]

Question was
what is the best readily-available/acquired and preferably-inexpensive options for temperature insulating the keg and column for a strip/spirit run please?

good answer :laughing-rolling:

[MacStill]

The pic explains it all but I'll type it out for you.

44 gallon drum for boiler shroud & don't bother with insulating a pot still column :doh:

[MacStill]

Question was
what is the best readily-available/acquired and preferably-inexpensive options for temperature insulating the keg and column for a strip/spirit run please?

good answer :laughing-rolling:

Nice quick edit Frank :snooty:

[maheel]

Hey frank

also you may not need to insulate the pot head ? Not many seem top bother with pots ? i dont on my stripper.

just the boiler wold give you the biggest efficiency gains in gas use.

[MacStill]

Hey frank

also you may not need to insulate the pot head ? Not many seem top bother with pots ? i dont on my stripper.

just the boiler wold give you the biggest efficiency gains in gas use.

Also with the drum shroud set up the way I had mine the handles in the keg direct the heat towards the column as it leaves the shroud, so insulating would probably do SFA ;-)

[maheel]

Mcstill

could you drop it down to below the handles and avoid that issue a little. Maybe something to fill the gap and make a flue with damper out the back to direct heat etc ?

[Frank]

:clap: thank you (great service, questions answered while-u-wait) :handgestures-thumbupleft:

So...would the drum need any insulation/extra topend vents if using LPG?
Also any pics/comments re setting up the bottom half with such a shroud re using an LPG ring burner???

[MacStill]

Mcstill

could you drop it down to below the handles and avoid that issue a little. Maybe something to fill the gap and make a flue with damper out the back to direct heat etc ?

Yep piece of piss, my burner was sitting on bricks inside the shroud to lift the keg..... another brick high would do just that :handgestures-thumbupleft: but I wanted the heat directed towards the column ;-)

[Brendan]

Hey Frank,

I'll just chuck another option out there...here's what I did. Got this insulation stuff from Clark Rubber, cost F 'all, I think cost about $10 for enough to do the boiler.

I think it's called reflective shit or something, they use it in roofs, but have the shiny side facing down to reflect heat back into the house.

For some reason through testing, I found it better this way with the shiny side out...anyway, even tested at 100'C, and you can touch the insulation material...works good for a mash tun holding in the temp too...i've shut it down before with the column still attached, and come back almost 24 hours later, and the thing is still steaming heavily inside.

09.jpg

[Goldie]

Hey Frank,

I'll just chuck another option out there...here's what I did. Got this insulation stuff from Clark Rubber, cost F 'all, I think cost about $10 for enough to do the boiler.

I think it's called reflective shit or something, they use it in roofs, but have the shiny side facing down to reflect heat back into the house.

For some reason through testing, I found it better this way with the shiny side out...anyway, even tested at 100'C, and you can touch the insulation material...works good for a mash tun holding in the temp too...i've shut it down before with the column still attached, and come back almost 24 hours later, and the thing is still steaming heavily inside.

09.jpg

I have used similar insulation, foam with a reflective coating, I will be using it the same side out as you Brendan.

[8-ball]

if you go the drum root most of those "brew by u" type places either just give them to you or sell them cheap like $10 a drum or something

[maheel]

i use some shiny bubble warp looking stuff that i assume is for insulation in houses on my lecky keg

much the same as Brendan's.

[SBB]

I use the yellow roof insulation in the photo........its as ugly as hell but works great.

[maheel]

hey SBB with a few rolls of that grey "gaffer tape" you could seal it up water tight.

and it would not be so ugly :)

[SBB]

Gaffer tape would burn down near the bottom maheel..........But I will work something out.

[maheel]

ahh gas fired .. was thinking lecky

[Frank]

there's a heap of anticon/sisalation/builders blanket-type insulation products out there for sure....
but, with a gas/wood fire heatsource
1. I would be worried about flashpoint/flame contact etc
2. I wouldnt go near anything fibreglass.... as its not for me (esp regarding reusability)
3. I only need 1 or 2 metres of it (I'm finished with the house renovations for now) so I'd need to check if/where its sold in small/bespoke quantities

So...I'll go do some google homework and thank all for the suggestions thus far :handgestures-thumbupleft:
(Meanwhile my spare 44gal drum is looking more attractive by the hour :laughing-rolling: )