Keggle Help

Bradyj23 · Sep 26, 2014

I am switching mash tuns and building a keggle. It is cut and I am in the process of getting the false bottom together. I have a used 10" ss screen but need a pickup that goes to the ball valve. I was wondering what works the best? I have seen all metal ones and I have seen connectors that use rubber hoses. What works the best? Why? Once I get it going how far off the bottom do you try to place the pickup hose? 1/4"? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Black Island Brewer · Sep 27, 2014

The dip tube that goes from my bulkhead, through the hole in the middle of the false bottom, and to the bottom of the mash is stainless steel. I personally wouldn't use anything else, because I'd knock it off stirring the mash. My dip tube rests directly on the bottom of the keggle, but I've cut the bottom of it so only a small section remains to touch the bottom, like a "leg" to hold it up.

aking · Sep 28, 2014

I agree with black island, stainless is the way to go. I have mine 1/8" to 1/4" of the bottom with several small holes drilled into the end of the pick up.

boat_eggs · Sep 28, 2014

mine is welded coupler (bulkhead maybe for others) to 1/2"nipple to 1/2" silicone hose of rough length to 1/2" barb to elbow to false bottom. never had a problem with it and it makes for easy cleaning/removal. no hose clamps used either. im using a keggel and a 10" bottom like you spoke of. the pickup in the FB only uses the nuts supplied with it so it might be around 3/4" from the bottom. all metal is stainless. i use a chugger pump for recirc so i had to go 1/2" and am glad i did

Hamaki · Sep 28, 2014

Like others have mentioned, I use a 1/2" SS dip tube & 15" hinged false bottom. Dip tube almost touches the bottom of the keggle and is attached to the welded bulkhead with a compression fitting so that it and the FB are easily removed for cleaning after every brew day. Being so close to the bottom I leave very little wort before it sucks air & loses the ability to siphon. When I stir it seems like I'm constantly smacking the dip tube. If it were flexible tubing slipped onto a hose barb I know I'd end up knocking it loose. Although I like my current setup I'm considering a bottom drain build to replace it.