So what are dual holes in a kettle for?

[GreenDragon]

I'm doing AG's now and I'm coming along with my equipment. I have a fermentation chamber, keg, propane burner, etc but always looking for a good upgrade. I was browsing through CL today and I'm thinking about buying one of these:

http://wichita.craigslist.org/for/2524114704.html

I understand how to brew and all the "normal" AG equipment but this one has me stumped. So one of the holes is for a sight gauge/temp gauge. What's the 2nd hole for? How much extra $$$ I'm I looking at to finish one of these off?

 

[JoeyChopps]

It's for a valve to drain the pot

 

[IrregularPulse]

When doing AG you're generally dealing with larger volumes of hot hot liquid. It's much more convenient and safe to drain and transfer these large quantities by means of a 1/2" ball valve on the vessel versus picking the whole thing up and dumping

 

[TopherM]

$39.00 to add a 2-piece ball valve:

http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=46&product_id=167

$27.50 for a combo thermowell/sight gauge, not including the thermometer:

http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=46&product_id=83

For the time being, you could also go down to Home Depot/Lowes and get two 1/2" SS caps to cap those holes, and just use the pot without the fittings until you get the fittings. Stainless steel caps should cost about $3.00 each.

 

[Bobby_M]

The one beef I have with that CL post is that he is basically spamming every major city which kind of goes against the spirit of craigslist. Oh well, I should just do the same thing.

If you want to put a valve on, you're looking at about 18 bucks. On the other port, you can go with either just a sight glass (~18) or a combo thermo/sightglass for about $45. To be honest, the ports are a little low for a thermometer.

 

[GreenDragon]

Ah damn, I was hoping it was a local guy. I didn't realize it was a store spamming CL. I hate people that cheat on CL so nevermind.

 

[jlachesk]

Yea, I caught on to this when the listing started popping up in every city I searched for beer stuff... Kinda made me turn to other sources.

 

[Ajgeo]

I bought one of these to use as a HLT. I was charged another $20 for shipping. I do not recommend this kettle. The kettle is very thin and the welds are not clean. I am going to convert a sanke and get rid of it. You get what you pay for.