Keggle conversion assistance

[Redtab78]

Hello all! I am brand spanking new to brewing, having done the one kit that came with my Northern Brewer deluxe kit (The block party Amber):rockin:

So after having my first batch done and by being surrounded in northern Washington with TONS of co-workers who brew, I have quickly decided that while my beginner kit is nice, and I COULD do quite a few batches in the supplied items, it is not quite what I want for the equipment (mostly the small brew kettle that came with the kit).

So I have done a lot of reading here and there, and watched a few youtube videos about keg conversions for a brew kettle, and while I am pretty certain I understand everything I need to know and do, I have one question concerning the fittings. I will be ordering a weldless stainless valve kit with barb from kettlebrewing.com, however I can not figure out for the life of me what goes on the inside of the kettle for the pick-up tube (or at least I cant find one on the site).

If anyone has done this in the past, can you please point me to the correct compression/NPT fitting and tube that extends into the center of the keg? Or is there a better site that has a complete kit that includes this component?

Thanks!!

 

[lumpher]

Bobby's Kit:

https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/k-wl-1.htm

 

[teamcoaster]

I am not familiar with the website you mentioned, so don't take this as criticism of those guys.

I recently added a sight glass, thermometer and ball valve to a 13-gallon SS pot using a kit I purchased from brewhardware.com. I purchased there for basically three reasons:

-- Turnkey solution. Ordering online is great but can be a PITA if/when you overlook a part. The kit had everything needed to complete the job.

--- Cost The total costs were at or below what I could find cherry picking pieces from various vendors. YMMV.

---Finally, the guy who runs that site has a series of videos showing exactly how to go about it, which I found to be very helpful.

Depending on what you need/want, I think you can find what you want from that site.

DISCLAIMER: I have no interest in that vendor; I'm just a happy customer.

 

[Staticsouls]

I was very successful just hitting home depot for ridged coper 1/2" id and fittings to connect a 90° angle and two straight pieces. In my hlt i left it about a 1/8" above the dimple in the bottom of the keg, and it sucked out all but a few ounces. Did a similar thing made my dip tube feed through my false bottom.

 

[Natdavis777]

Id second Bobby's Kit from BrewHardware.com Just used one on my new HLT (keggle) and had it installed in minutes.

 

[BadWolfOregon]

I love brewhardware.com and I've purchased more there than anywhere else online.

That said, I got this dip tube from Anvil: http://www.homebrewing.org/Anvil-Dip-Tube_p_6086.html

Since you said you already have a valve, etc, this might be a good choice for you. I like it because it keeps the tube close to the side of the kettle and if you whirlpool you're less likely to pick up hops and other trub. Depending on where your valve is located, you may need to attach a bit of silicone tub to get it down far enough to get the last little bit, but it works great!

 

[Bobby_M]

The anvil diputube is a pretty cool design for a flat bottom pot that already has male NPT threads on the inside but it won't reach the center dish of a keggle.

 

[BadWolfOregon]

The anvil diputube is a pretty cool design for a flat bottom pot that already has male NPT threads on the inside but it won't reach the center dish of a keggle.

True, but for me this is what I want. I don't want to pick up from the center since I'll be doing a whirlpool and want to draw from the side. The pint or two of liquid I'll miss won't be too bad.

Also, I already had male thread on the inside and didn't want to throw together a bunch of other bits.

But I agree, it will definitely work better with a flat kettle. My next kettle may be different. Actually, it probably will, since I'll be buy a friends old unit with beautiful TC fittings. I've already been eyeing a bunch of things you've got.

 

[Natdavis777]

I could see it being beneficial for your BK. I reversed my diptube and have the long end going to the side for a side pick up tube, virtually doing the same thing you are doing. The amount of liquid left behind is actually very little (maybe 1-2 cups)