Valve/Spigot on Brewing Kettle Question

[deancox]

I am converting a keg to a brewing vessel. I have been looking at valve/spigots at Home Depot and there is a brass (no lead) ball valve that I used on my drink cooler lauter tun, that I am also considering using on the brewing vessel. However, if you look inside the spigot you can see what I assume is a white teflon seat that the ball rides in.

My concern is that if I mount the valve directly to the keg, the valve will be exposed to almost direct heat from the burner as it flows out from under the bottom of the keg and up the side and I am concerned that the teflon seat will be damaged.

One thought I have is to mount a six inch ( or longer) copper extension between the valve and the keg so that the valve is not in the direct heat stream from the burner.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Bobby_M]

PTFE melts at over 300C. I think you'll be OK.

 

[wilserbrewer]

PTFE melts at over 300C. I think you'll be OK.

If you are concerned, any type of heat shield be it aluminum foil or sheet metal will lower the heat at the valve substantially. Then again, lots of people use these valves without issue I believe??? I would not put it out on an extension...unless your days of raising a family are long gone

 

[deancox]

If you are concerned, any type of heat shield be it aluminum foil or sheet metal will lower the heat at the valve substantially. Then again, lots of people use these valves without issue I believe??? I would not put it out on an extension...unless your days of raising a family are long gone

Sounds like a simple solution (the foil shield).....but I'm going to bite on the joke about raising a family....I don't get it?

 

[deancox]

PTFE melts at over 300C. I think you'll be OK.

Thanks Bobby!

 

[fall-line]

Sounds like a simple solution (the foil shield).....but I'm going to bite on the joke about raising a family....I don't get it?

I think wilserbrewer is alluding to the dangers of having a valve sticking out quite a ways from the pot at just below waist height. *ouch*

 

[deancox]

I think wilserbrewer is alluding to the dangers of having a valve sticking out quite a ways from the pot at just below waist height. *ouch*

Probably, I thought the joke might be slightly more sophisticated....

The extension still makes the most sense to me if I want to completely protect the valve. The small amount of wort sitting in the extension can be easily discarded.

 

[Bobby_M]

Best way?

Unfortunately not the cheapest way.

 

[ThatGeekGuy]

Very nice, I'm stealing that idea for sure. I already have a 4x6 piece of aluminum left over from a project box, just need to pick up the clip from Home Depot.

 

[AnOldUR]

Very nice, I'm stealing that idea for sure. I already have a 4x6 piece of aluminum left over from a project box, just need to pick up the clip from Home Depot.

I'm all for DIY, but for $10 it's not worth the time and gas to go to the Depot.




Am I the only one to mount my ball valves vertically?
Less heat on handle (if using gas) and less chance of bumping it and gushing hot water on your leg.