Placemnt of Ball Valve on Brew Kettle

[b-boy]

I am going to install a new bulkhead and ball valve on my 15 gallon brew pot tomorrow. I also picked up a dip tube. What's the best height to place the ball valve at. Most of the images I've seen show it right at the bottom of the pot. Is there any advantage to placing it higher? With the dip tube in place I shouldn't have any problem draining it, right?

 

[Bobby_M]

The height of the valve determines how hight the liquid level has to be to start draining. Once you have the siphon going, the diptube takes over from there. Lower the better.

 

[jpalarchio]

Just make sure if you have a washer or bulkhead with the valve that you accommodate for the diameter or it and not just the valve. I've seen a few people goof and put the hole too low and couldn't get a washer in there.

Probably seems like common sense but sometimes people get a little antsy with the drill...

 

[b-boy]

thanks - makes sense.

 

[gypsyhead]

if you put it a little higher up, you'll avoid the hot break and hop debris during a flat outflow, and you can always tilt the kettle to get the last bits of good wort

 

[dutchoven]

I use kegs and put mine about 2 inches above the chime weld to avoid heat wash ... dip tubes to the bottom center for MLT and HLT, side for BK.