Brew Kettle Blunder: Knocking out a dent?

[ToilAndTrouble]

I brewed an all-grain Märzen-style ale on Monday. I filled my stainless steel Megapot 1.2 brew kettle to the 5 gallon mark. I walked it out to the back porch and placed it on the railing (like an idiot). I realized I forgot something and decided to head back into the house. No sooner had I closed the door I heard a loud boom followed by whooshing. I was thinking, it's ok, I'll just refill it. I filled it back up, it holds water, no leaks, golden. I carry it back out and put it on the burner (like I should have in the first place) and I fire it up. I go to put the lid on and much to my unshocked disappointment, the lid will no longer fit properly. It fits enough to function, but not "machine fit" like it was. I remove the lid and I notice a subtle, but visible bend right where the handle is welded to the pot. Apparently the full weight of the 5 gallons came down on the handle... ugh.

I've been googling the hell out of ways to bring the pot back "into round" but thus far, all searches are fruitless. I consider this lesson learned for being careless, but I would like to fix it.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

I know in certain automotive repair situations that dry ice will activate the "metal memory" of steel to pull out dents, but I wouldn't know where to begin with this technique or if it even applies here.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Dry ice I doubt will help you, but worth a try.
I would have to see the dent, but it could be hammered back out, though doubtful you'll ever achieve the lid fit you had, as your "dent" has stretched the metal, and it has to have somewhere to go, when you are trying to reshape it.

That means it needs to "shrink", to get back to shape, which will be hard to do with the handle still in place.

 

[ToilAndTrouble]

I figured that would be the case. Do you know how I would go about using dry ice? I think I read somewhere that it has to be hot and that the extreme cold shocks the metal back into shape. The handle being there though complicates things as you state. I will see if I can get a picture that highlights the dent...

Thanks for the quick response.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Does not have to be "hot", per se, though 120 degrees or so would be conducive to a rapid temp swing.

Will watch for a pic.

Damn shame you are way up in "Cracworth", as if you were nearer to me, we would teach that dent a lesson or two!

 

[ToilAndTrouble]

Damn shame you are way up in "Cracworth", as if you were nearer to me, we would teach that dent a lesson or two!

You made me chuckle. Driving is a way of life in Metro Atlanta. If you are up for it and the dry ice doesn't work, I might just let you give that dent an attitude adjustment.

I updated the OP with the pic. You will see the dent in the top set of rivets.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Doesn't look too bad, just have to check for leaks around the rivets after some massaging.
I do sheet metal work for a living, ( re: I shoot rivets), although I probably don't have a rivet set for that diameter rivet, we could "shoot" them again should they leak.

I work for beer, and I am off work on Sat., Sun. , and Mon.

Should it come to it, haul it South and we'll take a shot at it.

My Brother in Law, and SIL, live in Acworth, near Burnt Hickory / Mars Hill roads area.

 

[ToilAndTrouble]

I will hit it with some dry ice first, but definitely! What do you drink? I will bring you something that doesn't suck.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

You nailed it, something that doesn't suck!
420 is my regular house beer, when my home brew pipeline is empty.

Not too picky, just something tasty...............Farmhouse Ales, Saison's, Sours, stouts, Reds, Ambers..........Just no generic swill!

 

[ToilAndTrouble]

Absolutely no generic swill.

You like Belgians?

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Indeed I do!

 

[ToilAndTrouble]

Indeed I do!

Excellent. I will let you know how the dry ice goes. So heat to about 120F. Should the whole pot be that temp, or just the area? I have a light-duty tech torch I could use to heat the area. Would that work?

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Try to keep the flame from too close of contact with the metal, re: don't let the "oxidizing cone" of the flame contact the metal.
Play the flame around the dent area to include a couple of inches all around it.
If you have an oven it will fit in, that will work too, though most on the "lowest " position will be about 160, which will work as well.

Wear some gloves, use some potholders, etc..........

 

[ToilAndTrouble]

Great advice. Thank you kindly!

 

[ToilAndTrouble]

Try to keep the flame from too close of contact with the metal, re: don't let the "oxidizing cone" of the flame contact the metal.
Play the flame around the dent area to include a couple of inches all around it.
If you have an oven it will fit in, that will work too, though most on the "lowest " position will be about 160, which will work as well.

Wear some gloves, use some potholders, etc..........

Firstly: I wanted to thank you for your help, so PM me with an address and I will drop something tasty by for you, just for being helpful.

Secondly: Success! Granted, you were totally correct when you stated that the dry ice would be of little use. I used a 1500 Watt heatgun instead of a torch which I figured would be safer (non-oxidizing). I checked the temperature of the metal in the area of and around the dent and tried to keep it right around 150F using an infrared thermometer. I then applied the dry ice over the area and the "scream" the dry ice made sublimating scared my roommate enough for him to see what the hell was going on. Talk about a "banshee wail" and the fact that it reverberated through the pot added to its deep tone. I might just record it as a sound effect for Halloween!

But I digress, the dent just laughed at the dry ice and I saw little to no change in its shape. I started thinking.... maybe a rubber mallet. I grabbed it and took a few firm whacks, and again, the dent mocked me. So I re-evaluated the situation. My goal was to get the lid to fit, not necessarily remove the dent. So I took a good look at the roundness of the pot and noticed how it was oblong almost perfectly perpendicular to the handles. I thought, "I wonder what would happen if I sat on it?"

I took the pot to a small sturdy carpet in the garage and proceeded to use posterior force by bouncing a couple of times. I went to check the fit, and lo and behold, perfect fit. I guess all I needed to do was throw my weight around.

Thank you so much for the help! I consider the dent a permanent reminder of what not to do with my brew kettle, which is good because my memory is horrible.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Excellent, Brother!
McGyver would be most proud of ya'!

Sorry for the slow response, I've been in the "non-surfin'" mopde for the holidays.

Glad you got it useable!