Has anyone, or does anyone have suggestions on how to mark the inside of your kettle to see volume? Without causing issues with crude and bacteria, etc. I’ve seen some kettles with it laser etched in, but mine do not. With boil off and what not I’d like to hit my target volumes better. Trial and error helps narrow it down, but never the same. I have looked at adding fluid sights to the kettle, but I want that to be my second option as it costs more and one more thing to take apart and clean.
Volume Marking Kettle?
- Thread starter ike8228
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There was another thread similar to this just the other day. You can do it yourself with a 9 volt battery Etch Your Kettle: Projects - Brew Your Own
Another cheap and fast option is to make a dipstick. Use your stirring spoon, mash paddle, plastic or stainless steel yard stick, pvc pipe, etc. Add specific amounts of measured water and make a mark on your stick of choice for each addition of water as you fill your kettle.
Another cheap and fast option is to make a dipstick. Use your stirring spoon, mash paddle, plastic or stainless steel yard stick, pvc pipe, etc. Add specific amounts of measured water and make a mark on your stick of choice for each addition of water as you fill your kettle.
Transamguy77
Well-Known Member
I marked my first mash paddle but I eventually got aight glasses from Brew Hardware and like that better.
I use an 18” stainless steel ruler. My HLT and BK are the same diameter, so they hold the same gallons per inch (.62 in my case). This makes it very easy to determine how much water I need, or how much wort I’ve collected. I’ve been using this method for 3 or 4 years now, and I hit my desired volumes at every step in the process. The ruler cost 6 bucks and the math involved probably wouldn’t overwhelm the average 5th grader. If I can achieve the desired accuracy on the cheap I’m good with that. As always, YMMV.
Bigdaddyale
Well-Known Member
I use a small length of 1/4 copper pipe and a rubber o ring to mark volume
https://www.topdownbrew.com/kettleVolume.html
https://www.topdownbrew.com/kettleVolume.html
All you need to know about etching is in this thread right here.
How To Add Permenant Volume Markings To A Kettle
How To Add Permenant Volume Markings To A Kettle
My picture got erased from that thread, but here's my addition from that thread.
Stormcrow
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That turned out good.
Thanks. There's a couple of members that were able to get their etching to look black (preferred) instead of white like mine. If I knew how they did that, I may go back and do mine but for the most part I'm happy with it.
That picture is 6 years old and the etching has darkened slightly but still very visible and easy to read.
That picture is 6 years old and the etching has darkened slightly but still very visible and easy to read.
I read in a link someone posted you have to use AC to get black. DC you are getting from the battery.
ChiknNutz
Well-Known Member
I just created a calibrated piece of tubing. Used it yesterday for the first time, worked well. Easy and cheap. Pretty simple math. I like spreadsheets to help automate the calcs.
RetroGameBoy
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I was recommended the 9V method in a thread I posted here, but instead I bought a cheap engraver tool and extra tips from Amazon and a 1 gallon pitcher as I have a few things I wanted the etcher for anyways.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YK66NM/
My method was primitive, I marked up to 4 gallons, 1 gallon at a time from the pitcher. I put down electrical tape with the bottom line being where I would etch.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YK66NM/
My method was primitive, I marked up to 4 gallons, 1 gallon at a time from the pitcher. I put down electrical tape with the bottom line being where I would etch.
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Is it in that thread I linked? I don't remember seeing anything on that but I didn't follow it as much after doing my mash tun as I did before. How would you go about using AC in a safe manner?
it was yours. I do not know how to do it AC. It is indeed in there.
CodeSection
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These links may help.....
https://cougartron.com/blog/difference-between-electrolytic-ac-dc-marking-etching/
Bigdaddyale
Well-Known Member
I’ve been using one of these for almost 2 years without noticing any problems.
Velnerj
Simul justus et potator
I use a tape measure and then a kettle volume calculator. I'm cheap but it could be a solution for anyone since almost all homes have a tape measure. Just rinse it off before you retract it....
damn the years fly!
A/C makes one, and DC makes the other if i remember right? i think i had a low voltage A/C supply, tried both ways, with limited success. so i just stuck with my mash paddle.....
robert.balsinger
Well-Known Member
I marked my stir spoon years ago. Measure the number of gallons of water into the pot. Put in your tall straight spoon along the edge of the pot. Mark the water level. Take a metal saw and cut a tiny nick in the spoon handle. There you go.
jrgtr42
Well-Known Member
I just got a chunk of wood (oak) stick - 4-sided dowel - and used a knife to make marks at each volume. I only use it for measuring strike / sparge water and during the boil, so I don't worry about anything nasty getting in.
coincidentally I have 4 kettles that don't have marks in them from the factory, so each side is one of those.
coincidentally I have 4 kettles that don't have marks in them from the factory, so each side is one of those.
Did mine 3 or 4 years ago and still looks good.
ChiknNutz
Well-Known Member
I first made a marked tube, but have since landed on using a metal ruler. Since every batch is different, I find it more accurate to just pre-calculate what my measurement should be based on my kettle volume, then just measure it directly on the ruler.
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