JohnTheBrewist
Well-Known Member
I'm in the process of converting some new kegs for my new all-electric system. I'm planning to make these inverted so I can drain out the bottom by attaching a 2" tri-clamp fitting.
I want to keep as much of the pellet hops and break material out of my plate chiller as possible. So, for the BK I intend to try 2 sheets of perforated metal riveted together as a 15" round false bottom. The bottom sheet will be 14ga SS, 1/8" holes, 40% open area, and the top will be 22ga SS, 1/16" holes, 40% open area. I'm having to go with 2 sheets since you can't buy heavy enough steel with small enough holes. I have screen gaskets at the 2" outlet to catch debris that might get by. I'll be using a heatstick on top of the FB, which I'll remove when I start recirculating through the chiller.
So now to my question. I know BobbyM and some others have slotted their kegs to slide in the FB whole (without hinges), but Bobby's thread is missing the pictures. He said something about the keg deforming when he did this. Can anyone provide some more info on doing this? Has anyone done it without the keg deforming? Any other thoughts?
Also, I'm considering the same 1/8" holed sheet for my MLT (since I'll have some left over. I know Jaybird and probably most others use 3/32" holes. Has anyone used 1/8" holes with good results?
Thanks
BH
I want to keep as much of the pellet hops and break material out of my plate chiller as possible. So, for the BK I intend to try 2 sheets of perforated metal riveted together as a 15" round false bottom. The bottom sheet will be 14ga SS, 1/8" holes, 40% open area, and the top will be 22ga SS, 1/16" holes, 40% open area. I'm having to go with 2 sheets since you can't buy heavy enough steel with small enough holes. I have screen gaskets at the 2" outlet to catch debris that might get by. I'll be using a heatstick on top of the FB, which I'll remove when I start recirculating through the chiller.
So now to my question. I know BobbyM and some others have slotted their kegs to slide in the FB whole (without hinges), but Bobby's thread is missing the pictures. He said something about the keg deforming when he did this. Can anyone provide some more info on doing this? Has anyone done it without the keg deforming? Any other thoughts?
Also, I'm considering the same 1/8" holed sheet for my MLT (since I'll have some left over. I know Jaybird and probably most others use 3/32" holes. Has anyone used 1/8" holes with good results?
Thanks
BH