braumeister - will solder hold?

[aamcle]

Evening All.

1st apologies for the art work.

I just picked up a odd insulated stainless pot, it would be ideal to convert into a braumeister/Nextgen clone.

The inner vessel is 24 litre, all I would need to buy would be a concealed element and a pump, I have the electronics.

But, there is always a But.. The stainless plate marked Bottom is Soldered (soft solder) into place, I'm not bothered about lead I grew up in a house with lead pipes, BUT will the soldered joint be strong enough?

Is there anything I can do to make it stronger?


Many Thanks aamcle

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Stronger for.......What?

If you're worried about it falling out, bend up 4 small angles, and place them strategically around the bottom, nested against the "bottom", and secure them to the skirt.

 

[aamcle]

I don't think I explained my self very well, the plan would be to remove the inner pot and the insulation to produce two vessels.

The part marked bottom would become the base of the outer/boiler section with a heating element set into it and a fitting for the outlet to the pump and what was the inner pot would become the malt pipe.

My worry is that under the stresses and strains of boiling and use the solder would fail and my wort escape!!


ATB. aamcle

 

[E_Marquez]

It simple depends on the solder alloy used.

Sn60Pb40 lead/ tin melting at about 183 °C, Sn93Ag7 silver solder melting point of about 221 °C or something in between something with more tin.... copper


Even in the normally noted "soft Solder" side of the list might have a melting point of 183°C (361°F) that would likely reach pelting point in a propane fired boil (or would if I were cooking it..)

you could clean the solder off in 4 clock directions for 10 mm or so and have four spot welds done.. as it does not need to be pin hole free (sealed) it could be done Tig, Mig or even stick (gas brazed as well)

 

[E_Marquez]

I don't think I explained my self very well, the plan would be to remove the inner pot and the insulation to produce two vessels.

The part marked bottom would become the base of the outer/boiler section with a heating element set into it and a fitting for the outlet to the pump and what was the inner pot would become the malt pipe.

My worry is that under the stresses and strains of boiling and use the solder would fail and my wort escape!!


ATB. aamcle

Ahh, that changes it then...

sorry i was typing while you were as well..

if it is a soft solder, I would suggest it will melt at temps a burner will reach to boil wort.

Do the leg work, get your vessel cut a part, have the soldered bottom removed, cleaned of solder and tig'ed in place.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Hmmm..........I'm guessing you'll have to "smoke test"it, by boiling up a batch of water a few or six times, and see how it holds up.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

But with an electric element, you MIGHT get away with it............."Smoke test" will reveal much, and if it don't work, pull your element and move on to another vessel.