Weld or weld-less?

[Ramdough]

I am building up some keggle a for an electric brewing setup. I have a friend who is a certified welder with a tig machine. I am contemplating welding bungs on to the kegs for all fittings including the heating elements.

Any recommendations?

Also, I am looking at using camco 02963 heating elements. Are they at all consistent in their thread start angle? For example, if I weld the bung so that one element is oriented flat, with the next element be flat when I replace it?


Thanks

 

[jeffmeh]

One option to consider is to have your welder weld a tri-clamp ferrule for the element. That eliminates any issue around thread orientation. BobbyM has a good article regarding weldless vs. welded, and also carries many of the parts, including some pretty nice heating element enclosures. http://brewhardware.com/weldorweldless

 

[ChocolateMaltyBalls]

Welded is probably the best way, but You should make sure that your buddy has the skill and setup to weld SS. Whether you go weld or Weldless you should checkout the brew hardware enclosures. I'm very happy with mine. It makes cleaning the kettles much easier.

 

[acidrain]

I prefer welded, but have had great success soldered too.
Certified or not, be prepared to spend some time sanding and polishing the weld heat zones. Either that, or chemical passivization. I prefer polishing as it makes a much nicer finish.
Make sure he back-purges the weld too.

 

[juic]

The tri clamp heating element is awesome I would definitely go that route.