Do I really need a larger filling port?
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Do I really need a larger filling port?
So I have a keg that I will use for my boiler. Obviously it has a 2" opening on top that I will connect my copper column to. Is a 2" opening not sufficient for filling the boiler? I have seen some use a siphon, and I can't see a larger port being useful. I'm certainly not going to try and lift the bucket and poor it into the still with a funnel whether 2" or 4". I plan to install a drain on the lower side or bottom so I wouldn't need a larger port to dump. Am I missing something? Just don't want to go through the time, expense, and hassle of cutting stainless if I don't have to.
Greybeard
"Keep it secret. Keep it safe." -Gandalf the Grey
"Keep it secret. Keep it safe." -Gandalf the Grey
Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
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If you only boil liquid then you should have no problem. Some like to boil mash and liquid together then you need a way to get solids back out or scrub out scorched solids on the bottom of the boiler.
Can you use a carboy brush to get all the spots in the boiler scrubbed if you need to? Or build an extension arm to bolt the carboy brush to that can fit all the way down? What is the largest diameter drain you can install to remove any debris?
1/8th inch diameter drill holes in the bottom of a lauder tun can filter out a lot of debris so you only ferment and boil 'liquid'.
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If you only boil liquid then you should have no problem. Some like to boil mash and liquid together then you need a way to get solids back out or scrub out scorched solids on the bottom of the boiler.
Can you use a carboy brush to get all the spots in the boiler scrubbed if you need to? Or build an extension arm to bolt the carboy brush to that can fit all the way down? What is the largest diameter drain you can install to remove any debris?
1/8th inch diameter drill holes in the bottom of a lauder tun can filter out a lot of debris so you only ferment and boil 'liquid'.
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
he hit the nail on the head. you really only need a larger opening for cleaning. i will say, though that you can add a wider opening at any time. get your feet wet first. then when you upgrade, you'll have an idea as to what works for you. check out some of the other stills guys have. if you're planning on going electric, you may want to turn your keg upside down and use the 2" opening for the drain. but, really the best advise is to read everything you can here and ask lots of questions. good luckCu29er wrote:.
If you only boil liquid then you should have no problem. Some like to boil mash and liquid together then you need a way to get solids back out or scrub out scorched solids on the bottom of the boiler.
Can you use a carboy brush to get all the spots in the boiler scrubbed if you need to? Or build an extension arm to bolt the carboy brush to that can fit all the way down? What is the largest diameter drain you can install to remove any debris?
1/8th inch diameter drill holes in the bottom of a lauder tun can filter out a lot of debris so you only ferment and boil 'liquid'.
.
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- MichiganCornhusker
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
Here are a few uses for a fill port:
If doing multiple runs you can refill the boiler without removing the still head. If you're running a simple pot still this may not be a huge benefit, but if you have a reflux setup it might be worth it.
You can use the fill port to "shoot" the boiler, adding fruit or other flavoring to the boiler after you've cleared heads. I'd consider this an advanced technique as you need to keep your wits about ya when performing this trick.
If the fill port is large enough it will allow you to get your arm into the keg to clean it out really well. If you ever scorch something onto the inside of your keg you will appreciate how nice this would be.
All that said, I don't have a fill port, or a drain for that matter, and I've never really felt the need to take the time to add one. Then again it might be one of those things that if I ever add them I'll wonder why I didn't sooner.
If doing multiple runs you can refill the boiler without removing the still head. If you're running a simple pot still this may not be a huge benefit, but if you have a reflux setup it might be worth it.
You can use the fill port to "shoot" the boiler, adding fruit or other flavoring to the boiler after you've cleared heads. I'd consider this an advanced technique as you need to keep your wits about ya when performing this trick.
If the fill port is large enough it will allow you to get your arm into the keg to clean it out really well. If you ever scorch something onto the inside of your keg you will appreciate how nice this would be.
All that said, I don't have a fill port, or a drain for that matter, and I've never really felt the need to take the time to add one. Then again it might be one of those things that if I ever add them I'll wonder why I didn't sooner.
Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me...
- bluefish_dist
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
If you can do it, put a 6" port for filling and cleaning. I found my arm doesn't fit through a 4" much further than my forearm so it isn't all that great for cleaning.
My keg still has a 2" fill right now and it is great for refilling without disassembling the column, but lacks the ability to do a good scrubbing. Not a huge issue as I only run low wines in it. Fwiw a large funnel allows easy filling.
My keg still has a 2" fill right now and it is great for refilling without disassembling the column, but lacks the ability to do a good scrubbing. Not a huge issue as I only run low wines in it. Fwiw a large funnel allows easy filling.
Formerly
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
If you need a fill port but don't want to mess with the boiler, you can put a tee under the still head.
Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
All dependin on your outfit an what you cookin you can keep it stired til it's ready to cap. Your burner causes hot spot in your kettle.
If it pukes don't matter why it'll leave a callin card in your kettle .
So I'm tole
If it pukes don't matter why it'll leave a callin card in your kettle .
So I'm tole
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
T+90°NZChris wrote:If you need a fill port but don't want to mess with the boiler, you can put a tee under the still head.
Mch,put a drain in that boiler before you blow your back out.
Remember not to blow yourself up,you only get to forget once!
Deo Vendice
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Deo Vendice
Never eat Mexican food north or east of Dallas tx!
- Saltbush Bill
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
Its more a luxury than a necessity.
Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
A fill port would be nice for double runs without taking down my column. I made the 2" opening on my keg 4" for my larger column which really helps in cleaning. I also love my drain port. Having gone electric it makes emptying it a lot easier.
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
If you are going to cut a hole, cut a 4" and be done with it!
Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
Thanks much for the input. I'll have to ponder it. The cost of the right drill bit is between $20-30, then the cost of the ferrule, needing to weld, cap and clamp. I'm new to this so not sure that I will be doing much in the way of double runs. I'll have to investigate recipes a bit more to see if I'll have grains/solids in any mash. My main goal is whisky and maybe some rum. I will put a drain. I can't seen any reasonable way to empty the keg without it.
Greybeard
"Keep it secret. Keep it safe." -Gandalf the Grey
"Keep it secret. Keep it safe." -Gandalf the Grey
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
Tip it over.
Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me...
- bluefish_dist
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
Put the drain and fill port. It's worth the effort. After a run or two of moving a full keg outside to dump it, I built a new still with a drain.
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- raketemensch
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Do I really need a larger filling port?
The first time that you try to carry a hot keg somewhere to tip it over, you’ll wish you had a drain port.
The first time you use your drain port you will thank the gods for your unburnt ankles.
The first time you use your drain port you will thank the gods for your unburnt ankles.
Last edited by raketemensch on Sun Oct 22, 2017 7:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Truckinbutch
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
Already having a bad back and delicate hands when I started this hobby I built fill and drain ports on the getgo . Never looked back . They are a 'must have ' for me .
Don't think anyone that's seen my rig can fault it too much .
Don't think anyone that's seen my rig can fault it too much .
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Don't drink water , fish fornicate in it .
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
For a bigger hole you can use an angle grinder and a cut off disk. It can be a little fiddly but it works. If you have not worked with stainless a lot it will be easier than a drill.greybeard wrote:Thanks much for the input. I'll have to ponder it. The cost of the right drill bit is between $20-30, then the cost of the ferrule, needing to weld, cap and clamp. I'm new to this so not sure that I will be doing much in the way of double runs. I'll have to investigate recipes a bit more to see if I'll have grains/solids in any mash. My main goal is whisky and maybe some rum. I will put a drain. I can't seen any reasonable way to empty the keg without it.
Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
For years I used an unmolested keg. Then when I wanted to do multiple runs I drilled a hole in the top surface that fit a wine cork. I filled and siphoned through that hols for many more years. Wine corks are cheap and can act as a pressure relief. Set a towel over it during distillation if you're afraid it might puke your eye out.
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
If the boiler was to amass pressure, then the cork blew out, wouldn't that mean you would get a heap of vapour escaping into the atmosphere. The vapour being heavier than air, this could be quite dangerous running gas no?DAD300 wrote:For years I used an unmolested keg. Then when I wanted to do multiple runs I drilled a hole in the top surface that fit a wine cork. I filled and siphoned through that hols for many more years. Wine corks are cheap and can act as a pressure relief. Set a towel over it during distillation if you're afraid it might puke your eye out.
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
Thinking that if you got to the point of a pressure build up great enough to blow the cork,(were you asleep or left the still untended?) I would rather have a fire around the burner rather than having a stainless steal bomb burst. By the way I use electric so I don't have an open flame around flammable vapors.johnsparrow wrote: If the boiler was to amass pressure, then the cork blew out, wouldn't that mean you would get a heap of vapour escaping into the atmosphere. The vapour being heavier than air, this could be quite dangerous running gas no?
Back to on topic, I built my keg boiler with an 8" tri-clamp opening thinking that it would be great for cleaning, it is but way over kill. Next one I do will have a 6" center tri-clamp with a 2" clamp off to the side for a filling port. I cut the 8" hole with a grinder - cheaper and easier than a hole saw that size. You can always add the fill port later - like I've been meaning to do for the past two years
OVZ
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
If that was to happen you have already been doing something very, very wrong. As already mentioned , the cork blowing out at an early stage could be a god send.johnsparrow wrote:If the boiler was to amass pressure, then the cork blew out,
Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
If a cork blows out, the charge boils until it reaches the boiling point for it's abv at atmospheric pressure, so don't bang it in tighter thinking that it will be safer.
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
I have had a similar question, that Grey Beard posted, brewing in my pre build mind lately. I see everything from 2"-8" center keg Ferrules. I totally get the cleaning aspect and am leaning towards a 6" ferrule to accommodate my arm. But what I am struggling with is...running a larger column, larger than 2" better or serve some purpose down the road when you want to upgrade your keg / abilities? Or...am I still going to just reduce the 6" opening down to a 2" ferrule?
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
I have a tap to drain my pot and the top comes completely off for cleaning.
There is no way any of my stills going forward would have a 2" hole in the top and no access - c'mon !
There is no way any of my stills going forward would have a 2" hole in the top and no access - c'mon !
- bluefish_dist
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
If I was limited in area on the top of the keg and don't have any height concerns a 2" for the column and a 6" for cleaning/filling would work well. Two 6" or a 4" for the column and a 6" for cleaning would be ideal. Adapters don't cause any issues with operations. I ran a 4" column on a 2" keg no problem. Now I run a 4" column on a 6" opening.
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
I do my stripping runs in a 1/2 bbl keg, no additional ports other than the factory standard 2" at the top. Agree with others here, as long as you run cleared beer/wash scorching and the resultant cleaning shouldn't be a problem - hasn't been for me. I have one bulged and one ruptured lumbar disk, so I'm not big on lifting heavy weights, but the only time I have to lift the filled keg is to remove it from the propane burner and set it down on the floor, and that's not a problem if I'm careful..... the key is to be careful, keep your back straight, use the legs to lift. I use a hand truck to carry it outside, then tip it over to dump where I wanna kill weeds (hot backset does a real good job on that). A drain and a 6" port would be nice, and if you have the capabilities to do the welding yourself, probably worthwhile additions. I don't have welding capabilities, and I've found I can live without those nice to have features. My $0.02, FWIW.
Everyone has to believe in something. Me? I believe I'll have another drink......
Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
Lots of great replies here. I think of it this way, spend a few hours and a little more money now and save much much more time, headaches, frustration and your back later. You don't have to weld it, it's the best option but soldering on a ferule works great. I haven't had any problems so far in the last 5 years. Rums and rye love to foam and puke, that foam sticks to the top of the boiler and can require manual cleaning. I have a bad back like lots of guys here, I will not pick up a half full keg hot or otherwise when I don't have to.
Put it to you this way. I can hammer in a screw with a crecent wrench that I had next to me but, wouldn't it be much better to walk a little bit and grab the drill?
Put it to you this way. I can hammer in a screw with a crecent wrench that I had next to me but, wouldn't it be much better to walk a little bit and grab the drill?
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Re: Do I really need a larger filling port?
Can't argue with pfshine..... if you can cut and weld stainless (or solder, something I wasn't able to successfully pull off) or know somebody that can, cleaning ports and a drain are very nice features. I can't and don't so that's what drove me to my decision; if I did, the decision would be different. I'll probably change my mind the first time I scorch a mash that hasn't been filtered/cleared sufficiently, but for now I think I made the right decision for me. Ya'll are all different, so YMMV. PITA now, or maybe PITA later.......
Everyone has to believe in something. Me? I believe I'll have another drink......