Installing a tap on my Kettle?

[Tony]

Hi guys,

I have one of those 25l pots for a kettle. I want to drill a hole in the side and fix a valve/tap to the side. Has anyone done this and are there any tricks to know. I am concerned that I'll end up with a leaky connection, with trying to put a flat washer and connection on a rounded surface.

[James P]

Tony use silicon bakeware to create washers and "pack" the thread with them.... should work.....

[Tony]

Thanks James

[Ian]

Hi Tony, James' suggestion sounds like the best idea. My kettle is a converted 50L keg so it was thick enough to have a ball valve welded in situ - but your pot might be a bit thin to weld satisfactorily.

[James P]

I recommend this goatherder page as an excellent link for making an weldless tap. I used his methodology with a couple of minor changes.

[denimglen]

Silicon bakeware is a choice as way to make gaskets, will have to remember that for next time.

Stainless kettle? Use a brand new stainless bit or have something on hand to passivate with.

With my fittings I've gone -

valve - SS washer - silicon O-ring - (kettle) - silicon O-ring - stanless washer - nut (or whatever)

It doesn't need to be 100% leak proof, after a couple brew it's so full of caked up wort shit that nothing leaks out - just contributes to house-flavour ;-)

[Tony]

Thanks guys,excellent advice.