Keggle is really deep...

[aekdbbop]

just finished my leak test with my new keggle with the weldless fittings.. went very well.

however, when i drain the kettle, there is about 2 gallons of fluid that i cannot get out without tipping the kettle. Also there is about 1/4-1/2 gallon of fluid that i cannot get out at all...

1. Is this pretty common?
2. Will there be a problem with me tipping it and using a SS braid?
3. Will there be a problem with me tipping it and using a shirron plate chiller?
4. can I up my batch .5 gallon to accommodate that wort that I cannot get out? I do extract now, but will be doing AG very soon..


thanks for any input.

 

[BierMuncher]

You'll have to do what we all do (even me and I'm a siphoner).

Get yourself a strainer over a pot, lined with paper towls and manually scoop out that last bit of hop sludge and wort. I always get a good 1/2 gallon.

 

[Vermicous]

That's common. It's one of the reasons why you see people doing 5.5 gallon recipes, to account for the loss.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Use a pickup tube - bend a piece of copper so that it reaches from the outlet fitting to the bottom of the keggle. Use a compression fitting to connect it.

 

[ebeer]

Yup, pick up tube is the way to go...will get you most of the way down. If you want it all without tipping/scooping/siphoning get yourself a pump.

 

[ebhomey]

Hey man
i have the same problem with my new keggles... i have a pick up tube with a compression fitting tightly screwed on.. i have tryed brass and ss two different compression fittings and i still cant get all the water out.. what is my problem??? other than being an idiot.. hehehe
getting frustrated

 

[Bobby_M]

Well, a dip tube is the answer for siphoning everything that's below the bulkhead (don't forget to have a decent run of tubing on the outside to keep the siphon going). In practice, you'll also need a method of holding the hops back but there is really nothing that I know of that will hold a 10 gallon hop bill from plugging up the works if you like pellets. I use hop bags for bittering and flavor hops for this reason and then use whole hops for aroma and stop them with a home made hop stopper.

Also, when in doubt...wiki. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/Keggle#Syphon_tube

 

[Lil' Sparky]

Another thing you have to remember when siphoning - the outlet has to be below the bottom of what you're trying to siphon or the siphon will break. If you're testing without a hose attached to the valve, then it will stop when the water reaches the ball valve. You should be able to get down to where you have 1/2 cup or less remaining using a sealed pickup tube.

 

[The Pol]

I built a dip tube for mine... and I can adjust the height of it from the outside of the keggle... I can leave a gallon, or leave nothing... it works well.

 

[ColoradoXJ13]

i tried several methods of stopping hops, homemade hopstopped, wire mesh, and nothing worked. Now I just use hop bags for all my hop additions, pull them out while cooling, and drain my keggle directly into carboys after cooled....works great, get all but the last 1/2 cup out and that has a ton of hop debris and cold break in it anyway.