Weldless Tri-clamp onto Bayou Class 44qt?

[brownbox]

I currently have the 44qt bayou classic as my hlt: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VXHKMC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

The pot is 13.5 inches in diameter. My brew kettle is the same diameter as well. I would like to add the stilldragon wells triclamp bulkhead to these pots to install my elements.
http://stilldragon.com/index.php/2-triclamp-weldless-bulkhead-fitting.html

Are my pots too small in diameter to add this fitting without leaks? If i did not do this option I guess my next best option would be silver solder. I have never done silver solder before and the gap would still concern me. I would prefer to stick with the weldless kit if possible. Any input is appreciated.

Thanks in advance...Have a taco.

 

[matt2778]

I have that same bulkhead on a 62 quart bayou classic. It was really tough to get it to seal. I had to remove the the gaskets and really crank on it to deform the kettle. I don't know if you'll be able to make it work on the 44 quart.

 

[ch19]

Hi brownbox. I've just ordered the StillDragon TC to pot adapter to use on my new 13.5" diameter kettle. I was very close to ordering the Brewhardware weldless adaptor or the solder option but then I found that someone has managed to get the adapter to work on a 13.5" diameter kettle.

This, and that fact that I can get the StillDragon stuff shipped from Australia rather than from the US (I live in New Zealand) helped sway things in favour of the Stilldragon adaptor.

It will be a while before I start my build, but I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[dyqik]

I'm the someone referred to in the previous post. I got the Still Dragon fitting to seal fine with a couple of strap wrenches on my Bayou Classic 44 qt.

But if you are planning on using it with a stainless ripple element, go for the BrewHardware 1.5" weldless TC fitting instead, as it's shorter and easier to get the ripple element through. It should seal more easily than the Still Dragon fitting as it's a narrower outer diameter and hole, so you don't need to distort the pot as much (it's also cheaper, and you can order the element and a hotpod TC element housing at the same time and save on shipping if you are going that way). My ripple element only just fit through the Still Dragon weldless TC fitting, and the folded back end of the element is very close to touching the fitting.

https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/tc15wlf.htm

 

[ch19]

Thanks for sharing your experience dyqik! I'll be using the StillDragon element guard and a straight element.

 

[dyqik]

Thanks for sharing your experience dyqik! I'll be using the StillDragon element guard and a straight element.

It should be fine with the Brewhardware (or others) stainless straight elements that are offset bent, so the four element parts going each way are centered around the center of the element base.

 

[brownbox]

(it's also cheaper, and you can order the element and a hotpod TC element housing at the same time and save on shipping if you are going that way).

https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/tc15wlf.htm

Do people with experience with the hotpod like the product? I was kind of set on the stilldragon element guard. http://stilldragon.com/index.php/accessories/element-connections/element-guard-kit.html Just seems more solid and possible more water tight to me without seeing either one in person.

 

[dyqik]

I have the HotPod on both my kettle and RIMS tube. It's fine, although the rims tube hotpod (couple of years old version) cover has popped off once when I was clumsily moving the tube around (not while brewing). The new one on my kettle seems solid enough.

Haven't seen the Still Dragon one, so I can't say if it's a big improvement, although it does look a little more solid.