Drilling hole in brew kettle

[Kerrden]

I have a brew pot I want to drill a hole in to insert a valve. It’s a fairly thick SS Megapot, probably 1/8” thick. Anybody have experience with doing this? Last thing I want to do is screw up my pot. I’ve seen using step bits or tungsten carbide hole saw bits.

 

[seatazzz]

Titanium step bit is what I've used in both my SS keggle and aluminum 12g pot. Take your time, measure twice/three times, drill once. What exactly are you planning to install in the hole you drill? If a ball valve, what size bulkhead?

 

[Alex4mula]

A good step bit makes it easy. Use a punch hole tool to get the start dimple.

 

[Jim R]

I wouldn't mind getting rid of my brew kettle's side valve. It has little value in retrospect and just makes it a little harder to clean. I thought it would be useful for transferring wort to my fermenter but it works much better to use a high quality auto-siphon so I can adjust where to siphon off to avoid debris. I should have saved money on a kettle with no valve.

 

[Kerrden]

Thanks for your post.

 

[Jim R]

As an aside for what it is worth, I splurged and bought myself the stainless steel BrewSSSiphon auto-siphon. It is kind of a luxury item but it works great for transfers and is easy to clean. It also has a nice clip for the side of the kettle which frees up one of my hands so I can pump it with one hand and hold the hose in the other hand to direct the wort flow through a kitchen colander strainer on top of my fermenter to strain out some debris / trub. I can start siphoning at the top of the brew kettle and then slowly lower it during the flow. It works far better than a side kettle valve.

https://www.homebrewfinds.com/2018/...brewsssiphon-stainless-steel-auto-siphon.html

 

[Transamguy77]

I used a 7/8” hole saw that I bought from Lowe’s for like $10, I’ve used it to drill all 3 keggles for valves, sight glasses And anything that needs a hole for tubing.

 

[burntchef]

Drill or siphon is a personal choice. My experiance is with drilling, and it matters where you drill the hole. I believe that the pre drilled pots are drilled to low. After I bought my fermenter I guessed how much yeast cake I would get per 11 gallon batch. I drilled my hole above that mark. I transfer with very little crap via a hose. My new boil kettle the same.
Eric

 

[Joggin]

I used a dremel and file.

 

[MikeCo]

Use oil when drilling to reduce heat build-up.