I used this one http://www.mcmaster.com/#60945k29/=qh87iy
The fitting will hammer into place with no problem even with a 1-3/4" interior dimension as you are shaving 1/32" off each side of the fitting. Price wise it is cheaper to weld a plate on the bottom of the inside of the tube and drill...
I have always herd and had good luck with freezing fresh fruit first to break the cell walls and lightly smash them. this helps keep a lot of the "junk" out of the final product. Also pasteurizing the fruit, depending on ones opinion, may not be necessary due to the presence of alcohol and an...
Well the theory is that most of the conversion happens within the first 10 minutes of the mash so I would think that you would end up with a thin/dry beer that is not at all sweet.
Well on the BK I just light the burner as no temperature control is needed with an analog thermometer on the front. If you wanted to see the temp on your panel then you could just install a thermowell on the BK and use the sensor from the MLT when you are done with it. As far as no flame on the...
You need a dip tube or thermowell to go down into the wort thru the bung so that you can measure the temp of the liquid and not the air. Even if you open the door the liquid will not cool down as much as you think so I would not worry about that.