My Bucket's Got a Hole In It!

[BeardedBrews]

Hey Guys,

I've got a 1/8" hole near the bottom of my keggle that I'd like to plug. What would you use?

-B

 

[BrewerBrad82]

You could possibly use a small stainless bolt with a silicone o-ring, nut and washer to make the seal.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

I would use my debit card and buy a new one. I'd use the one with the hole as a bottling bucket. If you're insistent on plugging it maybe some JB weld.

 

[dyqik]

I'd drill it out and add a whirlpool port or temperature probe port, as desired.

What do you mean, you don't need another temperature probe port? Sample port then...

 

[lumpher]

There seems to be some confusion. In your header, you say "My bucket's...". In your post, you say your keggle. Can you clarify which 1 it is?

 

[BeardedBrews]

I would use my debit card and buy a new one.

This made me laugh!

I honestly considered just replacing the kettle as a solution to this issue and may still go that route. The small bolt/nut/silicone gasket is the approach I will probably take, but I was curious if there was something more permanent while still being easy.

I was a little cautious of the JB-Weld since it has to get hot and exposed to wort. I guess I could use a washer and JB-Weld it to the outside.

 

[BeardedBrews]

There seems to be some confusion. In your header, you say "My bucket's...". In your post, you say your keggle. Can you clarify which 1 it is?

Sorry, had the song in my head.

The hole is in the bottom of a keg (stainless steel) that has been converted into a boil kettle.

 

[BeardedIdiot]

You could silver solder a washer over it.

 

[BrunDog]

I agree with above. Either repurpose the hole for a sight glass, whirlpool port, temp probe, or if you want none of those, solder a stainless disk or piece of sheet over it. Really easy to do.

I would not use JB Weld as it is not good grade.

 

[WestMichBrewer]

...Dear Liza, Dear Liza...

 

[BeardedBrews]

So many great bucket songs, I hadn't even thought about that one @WestMichBrewer.

I was heading more down these lines:
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMNLGxmjS3c[/ame]

 

[JTM88]

I've seen jb weld used on plenty heat sticks that go into wort. I had a small pin hike in my kettle that I fixed with it. So far so good, no off flavors. It's non toxic and good to 600f.

 

[Setsumi]

Ss rivit?

 

[Redlantern]

How did it get the hole in it?

 

[BeardedBrews]

It's got a PT-100 held in the hole with a wing-nut right now. I'm going to be switching from a through-wall probe to something in-line with the pump and I'll need to close the old hole.

 

[beernbourbon]

You could silver solder a washer over it.

um.
Washer?
Um. they have holes.

 

[PLOVE]

Well then fix it dear henry, dear henry, dear henry

 

[BeardedIdiot]

um.
Washer?
Um. they have holes.

You don't have to line up the holes. Or just use a SS DISK, if we need to be technical.

 

[beernbourbon]

you don't have to line up the holes. Or just use a ss disk, if we need to be technical.

:d

 

[FloppyKnockers]

I agree with above. Either repurpose the hole for a sight glass, whirlpool port, temp probe, or if you want none of those, solder a stainless disk or piece of sheet over it. Really easy to do.

I would not use JB Weld as it is not good grade.

I did some research and stand corrected. This is a ctrl c/v from another forum from JB weld customer service:

From JB Weld Customer Service:


We don't recommend using J-B Weld on anything that will come into contact
with food or liquids that you would consume. It is non-toxic after it fully
cures, but we don't any certifications from the FDA or NSF to say that J-B
Weld would be okay to use in that manner. Also, since J-B Weld is activated
by heat, we don't recommend that it be used on cooking appliances.

So if it were me I'd lean towards the mentions of welding a slug over the hole or a bolt and o-ring.

 

[Indian_villager]

Stainless bolt, nut, washer, and a silicone o ring.

 

[Redlantern]

stainless bolt, nut, washer, and a silicone o ring.

+1

 

[BrewerBrad82]

Stainless bolt, nut, washer, and a silicone o ring.

I can hear post #2's echo all the way from here!!

 

[BeardedBrews]

I can hear post #2's echo all the way from here!!

It's not an echo, it's the chorus. They always sing that part a few times before the song is over.

 

[The_Bishop]

You could plug the hole with one of these.