What Can You Do With an Old Water Heater

[hamiltont]

Wow, It's like we have 2 discussions going on in the same thread.

To the OP. If the tank is not rusted to heck inside. Maybe a BBQ smoker or Grill??
Here's a link that talks about it with a pic 3/4 of the way down. Cheers!!!

Water Heater Smoker

 

[crash1292]

you might be able to use the burner but water heater tanks are glass lined.
I would like to see you cut that apart!

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

The EPA doesn't monitor off flavors Gila.

Never said it does. But, again, the tank itself is not the cause of the off flavors either. Maintenance and Water chemistry are.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Final argument....

Boilers put out steam, not hot water. They cannot be used for a HLT or providing any kind of water to a brewery because they do not put out water. They can only be used for heating.... I have a big boiler, I know this.

Not true.

Fact: A low pressure boiler is defined as being capable of operating at a minimum 15 psi for steam and up to 160psi for water and capable of maintaining a water temperature of up to 250*F and capable of operating in a closed loop.

This is the criterium for cetification as a boiler. This is NOT the criterium for operation.

Commercial Kitchens, Hotels, and some other industries often use Certified Boilers in place of Hot Water Heaters because of the capacities. Thus, they must be installed and inspected as such.

I have the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, and International Plumbing Code that all define the differences between Hot Water Heaters and Boilers.

I don't need to own a boiler to know, I know the Internationally enforced minimal facts.

Furthermore, there are only about 4 major global manufacturers of water heating appliances that distribute under dozens, if not hundreds, of brand names. The design and operational distinctions between Residential Use and Commercial use appliances are typically only distinguished by operating pressures, BTUh, and certifications. Meaning the 50 gallon tank in my closet is only a water heater because it is not fitted with the 9 billion btuh (a joke) burner assembly and thus is not certified as a boiler.


My apologies OP. Fact discredited by opinion annoys the crap out of me.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Okay, I will concede this, it does appear that both Oregon and California are what is called a "Home Rule" state so International Code "may not" apply.

Home Rule basically means that those jurisdictions do not recognize standardized statutory regulations and can make their own sh!t up as they go and see fit.

Oklahoma is not a Home Rule state but Oklahoma City is a Home Rule City. However, we still "play nice" with International Code so we don't "overburden" our citizens with regulatory code. So to speak.

 

[Inodoro_Pereyra]

Wow...first time I see Gila riled up like that...

So, after reading the whole thread, I had to go back to the beginning, to remember what the original question was.
OP: as far as I know, water heaters have a concave bottom, and propane/natural gas heaters have a chimney running down the center line of the tank, from top to bottom. The tanks tend to develop rust in the union between the bottom and sidewall.
That said, if you can cut the top off, as you said (which wouldn't be that easy, as you also have to cut off the chimney), and give the tank a thorough cleanup and inspection, I don't see why you shouldn't be able to use it. I wouldn't use it to boil the wort (lots of nooks and crannies to allow bacterial growth in the future), but it should be great for boiling water. Also, I would NOT take the insulation off. No matter how weird it may look, that insulation will cut your boiling times greatly.

Finally, if you won't use your tank, put it on Craigslist. If there's a biodieseler in your city, he'll probably be interested.