Float ball for sight glass

I'm thinking it would be useful to have a little red float ball in my sight glass to amke it easier to see the water level (like the one I have in my coffee maker). Anyone have any good ideas as to what to use for said ball? (not involving sacrifice of my coffee maker, that is).

get one of those hightemp red orings and just cut a 1/8" piece off. That should float.

IrregularPulse said:

get one of those hightemp red orings and just cut a 1/8" piece off. That should float.

Click to expand...

Nice idea. I'll try it when I get home.

Wouldn't this then involve having to chase the 'float' as it ends up drained into the kettle?

The silicone o-rings do not float.

Maybe actually use a coffee maker float from goodwill.

IrregularPulse said:

get one of those hightemp red orings and just cut a 1/8" piece off. That should float.

Click to expand...

samuelpeter said:

Wouldn't this then involve having to chase the 'float' as it ends up drained into the kettle?

Click to expand...

Hmmm ... hadn'ta thought of that. Need one big enough for the tube (3/8 OD) but too small for the nipple.

Or, maybe there's something that would work at a fishing tackle store?

CorgiBrew said:

Or, maybe there's something that would work at a fishing tackle store?

Click to expand...

How about one of those preformed PowerBait pellets/eggs!?! They float and I am certain they would add "that little extra" you've been looking for in your beer!

How about breaking apart a childrens rattle and using one of those little balls? It's prbably not dissimilar to what is found in coffee maker float. Might be super cheap (free) if you have a kid in the house. And to prevent it from falling into the wort, you use a fine mesh screen between the polycarbonate tube and elbow.

axr

nicadrick said:

How about one of those preformed PowerBait pellets/eggs!?! They float and I am certain they would add "that little extra" you've been looking for in your beer!

Click to expand...

Too bad a sabertail burley bug won't fit in the tube.

axr said:

How about breaking apart a childrens rattle and using one of those little balls? It's prbably not dissimilar to what is found in coffee maker float. Might be super cheap (free) if you have a kid in the house. And to prevent it from falling into the wort, you use a fine mesh screen between the polycarbonate tube and elbow.axr

Click to expand...

Yes, I would definitely steal toys from babies to make my sightglass blingier!

Airsoft BB.

They float, and they come in many colors.

Bad things: don't know if they are food grade, and you will have to buy about 1,000 of them. At least you will have spares.

Cpt_Kirks said:

Airsoft BB.

They float, and they come in many colors.

Bad things: don't know if they are food grade, and you will have to buy about 1,000 of them. At least you will have spares.

Click to expand...

Excellent idea. I can use the extras to plink the cat! I doubt they're food grade, but it's not like I'm going to be putting a handful in my mouth.

corkies,, fake salmon eggs ,, they come in both foam and plastic check a fishing store.. a couple cents a piece you can buy 1

CorgiBrew said:

Excellent idea. I can use the extras to plink the cat! I doubt they're food grade, but it's not like I'm going to be putting a handful in my mouth.

Click to expand...

Airsoft BB's are labelled non-toxic so no worries there.

But they are also biodegradeable so, maybe it'll be good they come in a package of 1000.

How will you keep it from going into the vessel when drained?

I thought about this once and was eyeing some hollow aluminum balls at McMaster. I guess I don't know for sure but I figured they would float.

Always forgot to add one onto my order though.

klyph said:

How will you keep it from going into the vessel when drained?

Click to expand...

Maybe put a small piece of SS Screening in the compression fitting?

You could use something cylindrical. I don't know what, but if whatever you use is 3/4" long or more, you wouldn't have to worry about it making it through the elbow and into the kettle.

Seems like those airsoft bbs would work for this application.