[S. cerevisiae]

I do not understand why Blichmann has not moved to using welded fittings on their kettles now that Vollrath is manufacturing their stockpots.  Vollrath owns Polar Ware, and Polar Ware has the in-house expertise to build kettles with custom-made welded fittings.  Polar Ware's Brew Pot (BP) line of kettles have sported welded fittings since they were first introduced over a decade ago.

[Stevie]

I do not understand why Blichmann has not moved to using welded fittings on their kettles now that Vollrath is manufacturing their stockpots.  Vollrath owns Polar Ware, and Polar Ware has the in-house expertise to build kettles with custom-made welded fittings.  Polar Ware's Brew Pot (BP) line of kettles have sported welded fittings since they were first introduced over a decade ago.

Good question. While I don't mind weldless fittings, there is something reassuring about good quality welds. Could it have something to do with there snap-in dip tube?

[S. cerevisiae]

Whether custom or off-the-shelf, every kettle that I have owned has had welded fittings.   Sanitary/stainless welders are not that difficult to find.  All one has to do is ask around. 

I use a 37-degree flare fitting and a flared stainless steel pickup tube that I manufactured on the inside of the 3.5-gallon batch size kettle that I built in the fall of 2013 (started out as a Vollrath Optio 6.75 gallon stockpot).  My pickup tube only needs to be finger tight. The advantage of using a flared tube and a 37-degree flare fitting is that the hole in one's false bottom does not need to be much large than the diameter of the pickup tube because the pickup tube goes on the fitting, not in the fitting.  Blichmann uses a washer to cover an oval hole in their false bottom because the snap-in pickup tube requires travel. 

My custom 6.75-gallon kettle

37-degree stainless flare fitting



Pickup tube installed




Pickup tube and custom Jaybird false bottom installed



False bottom and pickup tube disassembled