So I've been looking at making a heatstick to decrease my time to heat strike water and bring wort up to a boil. I'm not a huge fan of the "JB Weld it until it doesn't leak" mentality so I went searching for other options.
I found a thread on HBT that uses tri-clamp fittings from a still supplier here. I like this idea, but the OP on this thread said it cost him $120 for this design which is a bit steep for a heatstick IMO.
I tried costing out some other options that converted to threaded pipe to bring the cost down (Something like this). Cheapest I could get with this design was around $90 - better but still steep.
Enter my final idea - all threaded stainless fittings. I searched HBT for someone that's done this before but couldn't find anything. Has this been done before?
Purchased all parts off zoro tools.
120v 1500w heating element - $8
2" x 1" hex bushing - $13.26
2" x 1/2" reducing couping - $12.52
1/2" street elbow - $3.82
1/2" pipe 12" long - $8.93
1/2" 90 elbow (2x) - $7.12
1/2" pipe 1.5" long (2x) - 4.30
Total - $58.95
Best part about zoro tools is that they have coupons all over the web and free shipping on anything over $50. I found a coupon for $10 off $50 purchase.
New total - $48.95
I've priced out the "JB Weld" version of this and it's right around $35-$50 depending on where you get your parts. I've seen other HBT'ers confirming this. So for me, it's worth the extra $10 to have no JB weld. Best part is everyone can do it - no tig welding or extra steps required.
I know you all love pics so here you go. Still waiting on my heating element. I'll post more pics and update this thread once I get the element and test it out.
I found a thread on HBT that uses tri-clamp fittings from a still supplier here. I like this idea, but the OP on this thread said it cost him $120 for this design which is a bit steep for a heatstick IMO.
I tried costing out some other options that converted to threaded pipe to bring the cost down (Something like this). Cheapest I could get with this design was around $90 - better but still steep.
Enter my final idea - all threaded stainless fittings. I searched HBT for someone that's done this before but couldn't find anything. Has this been done before?
Purchased all parts off zoro tools.
120v 1500w heating element - $8
2" x 1" hex bushing - $13.26
2" x 1/2" reducing couping - $12.52
1/2" street elbow - $3.82
1/2" pipe 12" long - $8.93
1/2" 90 elbow (2x) - $7.12
1/2" pipe 1.5" long (2x) - 4.30
Total - $58.95
Best part about zoro tools is that they have coupons all over the web and free shipping on anything over $50. I found a coupon for $10 off $50 purchase.
New total - $48.95
I've priced out the "JB Weld" version of this and it's right around $35-$50 depending on where you get your parts. I've seen other HBT'ers confirming this. So for me, it's worth the extra $10 to have no JB weld. Best part is everyone can do it - no tig welding or extra steps required.
I know you all love pics so here you go. Still waiting on my heating element. I'll post more pics and update this thread once I get the element and test it out.