Adding drain to kettle

[smitty8202]

Not sure if this is the right place for this. I have a 5 gallon kettle that I am thinking of adding a valve drain and a thermometer to. So 1 is this even possible and 2 what is the best way to go about it. I only have one brew under my belt and that is an extract brew with grains. Reason I want to do this is can't afford one that already comes with it, and when I was putting my wort in the fermenter using a funnel with a strainer the trudge was just too thick and clogged the funnel up. Also is there a way to put a filter or use a false bottom in the kettle so just the liquid wort goes through the spigot. Anything will help guys thanks.

 

[davesgang]

Trying to do this with my 10 gallon ss kettle. Right now I'm wishing I had just spent the extra on a finished product. The step drill alone was almost 40 dollars and now I'm having trouble getting a good seal with the spigot. That being said it's a doable project if you have access to the tools and the right washers and gaskets.

I've used a spatula to help push through a clogged filter. Whirlpool and chill wort first to get all the trub to drop and center.

 

[theck]

Go with these... drill a hole the size you need in the pot. Go a low as you can for both but not too low.
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-titanium-nitride-coated-high-speed-steel-step-drills-96275.html

How to:
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFlHLi9uW7s[/ame]
I've used them to do holes in my keggle and other things, work well for $16. You can then add a weldless bulkhead/valve:
http://www.homebrewing.org/product....m=ProductAds&gclid=CIGX49uSisMCFQiEaQodJ1gAeQ

For a thermometer you'll need the bulkhead and a thermometer or search for weldless thermometers:
http://www.homebrewing.org/Blichmann-WELDLESS-brewmometer-F-Scale_p_2684.html

You can use a bazooka screen to filter:
http://www.homebrewing.org/12-Stainless-Steel-Bazooka-Screen-with-12-NPT-fitting_p_894.html

But they do clog so you'd need mess with it a bit. There are also a bunch of other options, whirlpooling, various screen designs, etc... just have to look here for all that and the + and - of each. For many years I just put it all into the bucket and rolled with it. Maybe use a 1/2 tube with a full port valve shut 1/2 way and it might clog less?

http://www.homebrewing.org/12-NPT-3-Piece-Stainless-Steel-Ball-Valve-_p_2634.html

Or can make up a bulkhead from home depot too. I have also done that with success. Just make sure your kettle is strong enough to support it all, if it's a cheapo I'd do one hole and test it before doing a second?

Use tape on all the threads:
http://www.homebrewing.org/Teflon-Tape_p_3371.html