Stainless Pot issue

[Logman]

Hi guys,

Half way through a brew day and I hear a crinkling sound at the bottom of the pot/burner region, so much so that I decide to empty the wort back into the tun while investigating. Inspection reveals that the thin outer layer is coming off the base of the pot....no choice but to proceed and it comes all the way off eventually. Managed to just achieve a boil and get the brew done but now my pot has no base. Looks like some adhesive held it on originally so is it possible to grind off the old adhesive and glue it back on....and if so, what sort of adhesive would this be?

Picture one is the thin base and picture two is the bottom of the pot.

 

[hoppy2B]

Some sort of epoxy might do it. You will probably need special additives and you may need to heat treat it to cure it for added strength (heat resistance). Your best bet would be to contact someone who retails fiberglassing materials.

 

[huez]

Sorry but i would just send it to the scrap yard. If it was originally glued together i doubt it's worth the money or time to try and fix it.

 

[hoppy2B]

An option might be to TIG weld around the edge of the pot, or maybe braze it with pure copper. It could probably be spot welded. And if access to a proper spot welder is unavailable, spot welding with a MIG is an option, but it will leave a bit of a rounded spot of metal inside the base of the pot.

I'd explore the option of epoxy first though. Easy enough to heat treat it while it is curing, just put it on the burner. I'm guessing it would have originally been glued with epoxy.

 

[Logman]

I didn't mention that there is no sign of damage, leaking etc. The plate just looks like a cover really. Definitely was glued on, you can see the adhesive around the very outside. Thanks for the replies btw...

 

[koshari]

So just pop rivet it on. I assume it doesnt penetrate the vessel?

 

[hoppy2B]

So just pop rivet it on. I assume it doesnt penetrate the vessel?

I thought it might be one of those thick copper base things, but it just looks like a thin sheet on closer inspection.

 

[Chris Gillott]

If it is the external base of the pot, why replace it? Just use the pot as it is - the base can't all off again that way...

 

[Logman]

The outer bit is thin...I'd say 2mm stainless. ..the base of the pot is at least 1cm thick. Would prefer to save it...its 100 litres, paid 300 for it and that was a clearance price.

 

[Logman]

If it is the external base of the pot, why replace it? Just use the pot as it is - the base can't all off again that way...

I had wondered if there was some reason these pots have this outer thin layer and if it was a must....

 

[roller997]

Usually thicker bases on reputable pots are there to distribute heat more evenly so you don't get hot spots where the flame hits the base. Cheaper imports want to look more like more reputable pots which is why they add such a layer, however sometimes depending on the type of glue they use, it might even degrade the performance of the pot as it adds extra insulation rather than dispersing the heat properly.
Real cheap pots don't pretend to have a higher grade base and they appear to work fine if the flame is not too concentrated.

I would remove the glue with one of those wire brush attachments for an angle grinder and try it out without the extra base. If there is no evidence of scorching the wort, I would use it as is. There is a fair chance that it will get to a boil a fair bit quicker.
Adding back epoxy glue and fibreglass is likely to diminish its performance and cost you more in gas during a brew to get to the same consistent boil.

Cheers

Roller

 

[MHB]

On Epoxy, remember that a gas flame is over 1000oC. The inside of the pot never gets this hot because the water is all ways cooling it. but if you put epoxy glue between the fire and the water it will burn.
Not even most heat transfer pastes will cope, I suspect you would need to get something highly specialised, and even the cheap versions of this aren't apparently all that effective.
Either get a good pot, or try to run it as is. Other option being to put some stainless mesh between the fire and the base of the kettle. I've got a piece of fine SS mesh that I put under the saucepans on the kitchen stove when I want to slow simmer something without scorching.
Mark

 

[Logman]

On Epoxy, remember that a gas flame is over 1000oC. The inside of the pot never gets this hot because the water is all ways cooling it. but if you put epoxy glue between the fire and the water it will burn.
Not even most heat transfer pastes will cope, I suspect you would need to get something highly specialised, and even the cheap versions of this aren't apparently all that effective.
Either get a good pot, or try to run it as is. Other option being to put some stainless mesh between the fire and the base of the kettle. I've got a piece of fine SS mesh that I put under the saucepans on the kitchen stove when I want to slow simmer something without scorching.
Mark

Ok i might start by whacking 40 litres of water into it without the layer, bring it to the boil for a while and see what happens. ....

 

[wide eyed and legless]

While you are doing that check out this thread. https://aussiehomebrewer.com/threads/eoi-single-50-litre-vessel-brewing-system.98515/#post-1511024

 

[wynnum1]

What is the base made of and how thick is what was holding on.