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General Category => Equipment and Software => Topic started by: cyclejim on January 05, 2010, 05:46:49 AM

Title: What to do with a 40gal SS kettle?
Post by: cyclejim on January 05, 2010, 05:46:49 AM

I acquired a 40 gallon SS steam jacketed kettle that I intended to use as a boil kettle or mash tun.  However, I am having a hard time figuring out how to heat it.  It came out of a commercial kitchen that had used a steam generator to heat it.  I don’t have a steam generator and using fire to heat it doesn’t work that well.

It is a beautiful piece of equipment; all stainless with a tilting mechanism and 2” valve in the bottom of the kettle.  It has a lid that fits really nice, though there is no seal on it.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to use it?  If I can’t figure out a good use for it I am afraid I am going to have to let it go.  It is a monster to be sitting in my garage not getting used.

Title: Re: What to do with a 40gal SS kettle?
Post by: yugamrap on January 05, 2010, 01:53:28 PM

It might make a nice fermenter.  Maybe you could rig up some way to pump refrigerated water or glycol through the jacket for temperature control.

Title: Re: What to do with a 40gal SS kettle?
Post by: hankus on January 05, 2010, 04:23:05 PM

Our club- Crescent City Homebrewers- has a subcell called 6 guys brewing who acquired the same setup and connected the burner to  NG but after awhile gave it away as too big for them...for a single brewer I know NOT what u could do with it..contact your nearest brewclub OR Lion's Club/VFW etc who can make gumbo/chili etc at the community festival and donate it or sell it on Craigslist...it's big benefit of tilting would not help as a fermenter
  FWIW they also had a 50G SS fermenter ringed with a freon coil but when the center was only cool the rim was forming ice so iot went too...too big a footprint

Title: Re: What to do with a 40gal SS kettle?
Post by: bob on January 20, 2010, 10:23:46 PM

It might make an interesting mashtun. Pump 165 F water thru the steam jacket until it gets near mash temp then back it off as it reaches equilibrium where you want it.
Bob

Title: Re: What to do with a 40gal SS kettle?
Post by: denny on January 21, 2010, 12:42:12 AM

You guys are so one track oriented....

HOT TUB!!!!

 

 :D :D :D :D

Title: Re: What to do with a 40gal SS kettle?
Post by: babalu87 on January 21, 2010, 04:58:18 PM

Quote from: denny on January 21, 2010, 12:42:12 AM

You guys are so one track oriented....

HOT TUB!!!!

 

 :D :D :D :D

I'll say what me and my buddy say whenever we see the homebrew/beer related shirts at festivals etc.

Have you seen a homebrewer?
XL and up and no way most of us are wedging ourselves in a 40 gallon hot tub  ;D

Title: Re: What to do with a 40gal SS kettle?
Post by: denny on January 21, 2010, 05:00:11 PM

Excellent point that I failed to consider!  ;)

Title: Re: What to do with a 40gal SS kettle?
Post by: beerocd on January 21, 2010, 05:19:12 PM

Make KettleKorn !

Title: Re: What to do with a 40gal SS kettle?
Post by: bluesman on January 21, 2010, 05:40:29 PM

Quote from: babalu87 on January 21, 2010, 04:58:18 PM

Quote from: denny on January 21, 2010, 12:42:12 AM

You guys are so one track oriented....

HOT TUB!!!!

 

 :D :D :D :D

I'll say what me and my buddy say whenever we see the homebrew/beer related shirts at festivals etc.

Have you seen a homebrewer?
XL and up and no way most of us are wedging ourselves in a 40 gallon hot tub  ;D

Sure you can. But it will be a dry tub after you get in.  ;D