My Cheap Stainless Element housing build

[Mirilis]

So I have been looking around for a housing for my dual 120v elements. I was originally going to use the PVC threaded coupler method, but I stumbled upon the sugar shakers and decided to go that route.

I didnt see an acutal build of one on here (but im sure there is) so I decided to put mine on here.

Materials:
Sugar Shakers from Amazon $9.98 Shipped for 2. Ive actually seen 2 packs as low as $6.68.
5' - 12/3 Bulk Power Cord from Lowes
2 X Stainless Washer (I made these from scrap but you can get them at McMaster 96853A253)
2 x 1/2" Cable Gland (These were free and I had to do a small mod to them to fit my cord) I think P13.5 is the right code for the cable diameter I had (0.415" Dia approx)
Tube of Silicone
1" Stainless Lock Nut and Silicone O-Ring ( i got mine for $5-6 shipped)

Tools Needed:
Drill / bits (3/4 )
Hole Punch (I used the 1/2" and 1" Conduit Punches from a friend)

Assembly
So really it was pretty easy. I drilled pilot holes at both ends of the shaker. Then I used the 1/2" punch on the bottom and the 1" Punch at the top.

Next I deburred the edges.

From here I installed the washer into the lid and siliconed it around the edge. This basically just held the washer insdide there and blocked the row of holes (pictures are below)

After the pics i did go back and put a small hole which will be on the bottom and put a bolt through the wall that I will use to ground.

Thats pretty much it.. short write up I just thought maybe someone else would want to check it out too.

 

[iijakii]

Fantastic and simple!

 

[Mirilis]

After installing them to my kettle I probably would have put slightly smaller holes on the shaker end.

 

[matc]

Wow nice ! They look a lot like the ones from brewhardware

 

[AnOldUR]

Wow nice ! They look a lot like the ones from brewhardware

$20 @ Brewhardware.com

Some things are just not worth the DIY time.
For me this is one of them.

 

[jsprinceiii]

These can also be purchased from webstaurantstore.com
As low as $1.78 each.

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/10-oz-stainless-steel-shaker-without-handle/407DR10T.html

 

[Mirilis]

Nice find!

 

[jimdkc]

I love this! Cheap... Simple... Safe... and looks great!

Just ordered these on Amazon... $6.49 a pair.

 

[stever1000]

That's a great idea! Adding it to my list

 

[griffi]

Subscribed. I am a relatively new AG brewer thinking of making an e-HLT and don't have 240. I'm looking for a complete DIY if you have a recommendation.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

Great idea if you have the parts already.

But after $4-5 dollars for Silicon gaskets, $4-5 each for 1/2" cable reliefs, and $5 a shaker plus washers your basically at the same price as Brewhardware's solution, not counting the $60 in hole punches, silicone, and other gear required to actually put this thing together lol.

 

[stever1000]

I found a stainless steel shaker that will fit my 5500 element so I would like to use this idea for my element housing.

All the adaptations I have seen use solderless/weldless fitting. Is it possible to solder the shaker lid and nut to the pot, or is this a potential problem?

 

[stever1000]

I found a stainless steel shaker that will fit my 5500 element so I would like to use this idea for my element housing.

All the adaptations I have seen use solderless/weldless fitting. Is it possible to solder the shaker lid and nut to the pot, or is this a potential problem?

Haven't found any other versions with the soldered shaker... Has anyone else?

 

[augiedoggy]

Haven't found any other versions with the soldered shaker... Has anyone else?

I guess no one has seen any benefit in doing it?
I use the brewhardware kit because While I do own some of those shakers, they are much bigger and bulky than the purpose built kit from Bobby and It wouldnt have fit well into the space in my application. plus as others have mentioned to do it right you end up spending more time and money than its worth. I use a silicone oring just as I did with my older epoxied PVC coupler design which ended up being a throw away when an issue arose with my element.
Never had an issue with the silicone oring so not really sure what the benefit of soldering the case to the element would be in the real world application.

 

[stever1000]

Thanks, I will just use a weldless kit then