S/S kettle advice

[Natdene]

I have a chance to get a S/s vessel which I was thinking of using as a kettle. Size is 1200ht x 750 dia, holds about 700l and would easily hold 500l on the boil which brings me to my question - is this tank to tall and narrow to make a good kettle?

 

[DJ_L3ThAL]

If those dimensions are correct and negating wall thickness, the max volume of that "cylinder" is ~530L ?

ie. pi * (.75/2)^2 x 1.2 (in metres)
area x height

I was under the impression tall and narrow was a good shape for a kettle also.

 

[Natdene]

Yes you are correct! I didn't do the sums just went off the markings on the side?? I will have to measure it again to make sure I didn't stuff up the measurments.

So tall and narrow is good

 

[DJ_L3ThAL]

Don't quote me as a specialist on the topic, but the reason tall and narrow is good as I understand is due to less boil off will occur due to the lower surface area exposed to the atmosphere. I guess the flip side is if you want to boil off a large volume of DMS etc then a short and wide type is OK.

But the aspect ratio of your kettle 1.2 / 0.75 = 1.6 is very similar to a standard 50L keggle that many use (0.59 / 0.42 = 1.4). So I would just use it

 

[QldKev]

I'd be happy with the under-square shape of that kettle. A narrower opening does mean less surface area for boil off. Also means less heat loss, hence a stronger boil for the same heat input.

 

[Judanero]

That sounds like a sweet kettle.

 

[Natdene]

Thanks for the advice guys, now I just have to work out how to get it home and find a mash tun to match then a big brew day with the boys!