$50, 50L direct-fired MLT

Thought I'd post this up here as I just finished it.
I picked up a 50L aluminum Imusa tamale steamer at wallyworld for $40. Thermometer is a $6 Farberware thermo from homegoods, plus fittings for $4. I know it's cheap, but it reads the same as my LHBS thermo, and I can always upgrade it. I used the ball valve and fittings from my old igloo cooler HLT (which is being converted to a bottling bucket)

Total cost $50

Sorry, I meant HLT, can't change the title. Could a moderator fix this?

Now you are going to need a dip tube. I used one of these from Home Depot and a compression fitting.

Now all you need is a false bottom to match and you will be off to the races, if you plan to direct fire it, that is.

Never mind. I see you are planning to use it as an HLT, not a MT.

Yeah, I have a 70L Igloo Cube I use as a MLT...

how did you rig your thermometer?

stickfisher said:

how did you rig your thermometer?

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I slid a small piece of 1/4" OD tubing over the stem and clamped down on it with a 1/4" compression fitting. Inside the pot I used a 1/4" barb fitting to add a little reinforcement to the stem. Stainless washer on the inside, galvanized on the out. Homemade silicone gaskets inside and out.

Looks great!

You can change the title from Edit - then the "Go Advanced" button below your text box next to Save
I found it a few days ago.

Like the homemade thermometer insert.

Looks great. I would love to see some pictures or a tutorial on the thermometer insert!

BendBrewer said:

Now you are going to need a dip tube. I used one of these from Home Depot and a compression fitting.

Click to expand...

What is that?

evandena said:

What is that?

Click to expand...

that is a stub out.

How heavy is the pot? Is it a thick one?