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Andyd

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Hi guys,

A quick report from a newbie setting up - don't use Polycarbonate tubing as a sight guage in your boiler!

Before...
IMG_4663.JPG

After...
IMG_4662.JPG

It doesn't look as bad as it was, but let's just say the sight guage could have done with a stong dose of Viagra while the gas was running full throttle. Luckily I was only boiling water to test the setup.

You could be asking why do I need a sight guage in my boiler... I couldn't possibly tell you - just thought it was a good idea at the time.

Andy
 
Oh - and for those curious soals out there - those pictures are in fact 2 different vessels, and I bent the top of the tube intentionally.

Sorry to dissapoint those hoping I'd found an uber-NASA burner complete with an afterburner :)
 
I see a heat shield in your future. Bolt a sheet of something (stainless etc) onto the chime (bottom ring) of your keg and it should offer enough protection to keep your polycarbonate tubing alive. It's rated to 135C so I'd be surprised if it would get above that with the heat shield in place.

Another thing to avoid (might be too late since you've drilled the holes) is to not put your valves, sight glasses or thermometers in a position on the keg which puts them above those three holes through the chime of the keg around the bottom. They turn into little heat vents with flame underneath.

Something to watch. You'll sort it out.

Cheers, Justin
 
Yeah, I was tossing up whether I should use a stock pot for my hlt. I would need to drill a hole for the tap, and while I was at it, I figured a sight gauge would be a handy addition too. Anyway, I know yours is on a boiler so it will be withstanding higher temps for potentially a longer period of time. Would this poly racking tube be ok for temps up to 75degC? It would be pretty darn convenient to use this stuff ahead of something like glass (ie easy and cheap to replace etc).

At this stage I am going to stick to my trusty plastic pail for a hlt but if I graduate to a stainless pot, this might be a good piece of info to have! :)

I was in a plumbing supply store recently and they had that reinforced tubing (has the string embedded in it). If its meant to be used with hot water, perhaps this would be a good alternative??? I think it was quite a bit more expensive than racking tube though...
 

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