3v Build Advice

[Anofre]

I currently BIAB.
Planning a 3V build.
Was going to use keggles until I came across this bad boy



It's an old laundry boiler. Dimensions 490mm dia x 380mm deep

Stainless inner bowl.



Tap drains from centre of bottom via curved pipe to tap on front.

I was concerned about lack of ability to remove & clean. It's not welded, but it's not going to come apart easily. Would chemicals & bore brush on a regular basis do?



Wondering if this would be better as a mash tun or kettle? Are those dimensions good for the bed depth? (I was of the understanding that wider was better than deep compared to the proportions of a standard keggle, but I don't know where I got that from)

Does anyone else run with a converted boiler?

Could I use the element in it to heat/step mash, or would it scorch without constant reticulation?



Cheers in advance





V

 

[crozdog]

I currently BIAB.
Planning a 3V build.
Was going to use keggles until I came across this bad boy



It's an old laundry boiler. Dimensions 490mm dia x 380mm deep

Stainless inner bowl.



Tap drains from centre of bottom via curved pipe to tap on front.

I was concerned about lack of ability to remove & clean. It's not welded, but it's not going to come apart easily. Would chemicals & bore brush on a regular basis do?



Wondering if this would be better as a mash tun or kettle? Are those dimensions good for the bed depth? (I was of the understanding that wider was better than deep compared to the proportions of a standard keggle, but I don't know where I got that from)

Does anyone else run with a converted boiler?

Could I use the element in it to heat/step mash, or would it scorch without constant reticulation?



Cheers in advance





V

I used 1 of these as a HLT for many years. Easy to set a timer so it would be at temp when I got out of bed.

i suggest you replace the drain tube with some allthread, a 90degree elbow & a ball valve as mine had lots of horrid gunk in it + old soft solder (ie lead) joins. I ditched the cover plate over the elements.

NOTE I don't use it as a kettle so aren't concerned about cleaning the drain pipe but & am now looking to use it for a heat exchanger in a HERMS to maintain mash temp / step mash using a pump.

 

[Anofre]

Cheers for that. The bottom outlet is threaded bout 3/4' it looks so I'll see if I can change the drainpipe & valve.
I have an old copper hot water system that I thought I mite turn into a HLT. I wonder if it's seams might be lead too? Hope not. I kept it for that purpose.
I'm aiming to do triple corney sized batches, so with this laundry boiler as a mash tun @ 65L or so I was going to weld up a double keggle (or perhaps fork out for) a kettle in the 75-100L range.
Those new ones at craftbrewer look tempting, and I will have to pick up some bulkbuy kegs soon...

 

[jimmysuperlative]

Nice score!

I had one very similar. Took forever to reach a boil ...in the end I fashioned a lid from marine ply which sped things up heaps.

 

[kjparker]

I have the same one.

I simply removed the old pipe and did the following:

• New silicone gasket under the bowl outlet
• Used a 90deg male - female bend (brass)
• Two compression fittings
• 1 length of 3/4" copper pipe
• 1 3/4" male nipple
• 1 3/4" ball valve

This all bolted together very easily, and is easy to pull apart for cleaning. I'll put some pics up later if I get a chance

Mine has also at some point had the second element removed, so I have added one of the weldless elements from craftbrewer to kick things along nicely. I have plenty of power available at home!

 

[Anofre]

Cheers. A pic or two would be real handy, I'm not that good with plumbing.
Why the compression fittings? Did you use a copper pipe manifold?