Blichmann Boilermaker for MLT/Boil Kettle/both/neither?

[Boar Beer]

OK Bobby you are probably right but we have stepped up from 5 gallons to 10 gallon to 15 gallon batches in under 3 three years.
And when you add in some big beers it gets out of hand.

Is this a sport or hobby?

 

[BrewBeemer]

One thing I do not like about the Blichmann kettles is that all of the fittings are the weldless type. I don't understand why they build them this way, but it might be because the SS used is thin and would be difficult to weld. I do like the punched out false bottom design, but not much else.

You left out their posted price, too rich for my liking, I would be mad at myself not alone the WAR DEPARTMENT if I spent that kind of money when she knows I have a shop.

 

[Catt22]

You left out their posted price, too rich for my liking, I would be mad at myself not alone the WAR DEPARTMENT if I spent that kind of money when she knows I have a shop.

Yeah, they are kind of pricey. There is one other thing I don't like about the Blichmann design. The sight glass tubes are connected to the kettle above the false bottom. Would be better to mount it below the FB so that it could be used as an indicator when doing a pump recirc. It's not a big deal for me though, as I don't use a sight glass. Instead, I use a vacuum gage to monitor the suction when recirculating.

 

[zman]

what about using the Blichmann Boilermaker on an electric stove?

 

[dudes]

How do these works as MLTs? Do you have to keep flame on them, or will they hold temp pretty well in ambient conditions?

Anyone wrap theirs in some sort of thermal material?

 

[bnhocking]

The false bottom sits pretty much 100% flush with the sides of the pot. So the figures on the Blichmann page for internal diameter would be pretty much the diameter of the false bottom.
Honestly I would just buy a Boilermaker over converting a keg, they may be more expensive but they are SO MUCH easier to work with they are easily worth the cost after you figure the costs of putting in a good dip tube, 3 piece stainless ball valve, site gauge, etc.

Exactly Why I bought Blickmann Kettles

 

[wyoder]

Hi Datamike and Saq, Thanks for the link.

It looks like I need a false bottom from a 10G pot. The plan is to make my keggle suit the Bickman bottom if needs be, that's why I need the dimensions so I can plan ahead before I actualy get to see a real one in the flesh.

As you both own one of these, would you please measure the size of the false bottom for me,as the link info gives boiler internal diameter, and rim diameter of the flat in the base, so I am still none the wiser as to how big the false bottom is, apart from the fact that it is in between those two sizes!! All I can tell from the chart is that it must be less than 13,8" for the 10 gallon pot and 15.7" for the 15gp.

I would like the overall diameter of the FB, and if you are in a good mood, the diameter of those punched holes would be good to know and also how big the gap is sideways through the punched holes. (you can stick multiple bits of paper, or a "feeler gauge" through the slot until they fit snugly, then measure how thick the paper sheets are with a vernier caliper or a micrometer.....or read the thickness straight of the feeler gauges. An ordinary rule would do if that is all there is to hand..

Thanks guys ......

Silverbrewer,

Did you ever find the actual measurements on the Blichmann false bottoms for sizes other than the 30 gallon? I'm really interested in the size of the 20 gallon version...