Bronze or copper

[DonDDR]

Its listed as bronze but could it be copper? Any reason it would not be good for a boiler?

Thanks

DDR

[pfshine]

It looks more like brass, and most likely is. But brass use to be alloyed with lead for ease of machining so best to not use it as a boiler. Got any more pics of it

[shadylane]

That's a first for me. I've never seen a brass, bronze or copper milk can.
It's probably plated or painted iron.
Anyway a brass or bronze boiler wouldn't be kosher.

[DonDDR]

I contacted them to get me a picture of the inside, stainless milk cans are hard to find, affordable ones are anyway,

[Old Gray Dog]

Careful, both brass and bronze may contain lead. Up to 4% for brass and 15% or more for bronze. Brass also contains zinc which has been known to dezinctify when corroding. Dont know if that happens with alcohol though.

[shadylane]

I contacted them to get me a picture of the inside, stainless milk cans are hard to find, affordable ones are anyway,

Used SS milk cans sell for $40 - $100

[DonDDR]

I have been looking, I would be glad to spend only $100 on one, anyone know where some are?


THANKS!

[pfshine]

Have you been looking for a keg as well? I would take a keg over a milk can any day

[thecroweater]

Decommissioned beer kegs will almost certainly be your cheapest option and much easier to convert. If you must have copper look for a HWS

[DonDDR]

Have you been looking for a keg as well? I would take a keg over a milk can any day

I figured the ability to clean out a milk can would be the advantage over a keg, but yeah been looking for kegs also.

Thanks for the replies guys

[DonDDR]

Decommissioned beer kegs will almost certainly be your cheapest option and much easier to convert. If you must have copper look for a HWS

Dont have to have copper but would if I could, what is an HWS?

[Monkeyman88]

Decommissioned beer kegs will almost certainly be your cheapest option and much easier to convert. If you must have copper look for a HWS

Dont have to have copper but would if I could, what is an HWS?

Hot water cylinder. You want a low pressure one.

[pfshine]

Don't have copper ones in the states for the most part. You are more likely to be struck by lightning while being eaten by a great white being eaten by a megalodon, than to find one here.

[Monkeyman88]

Wow. Really? Copper is the only kind you get here. Unless you have high pressure hot water, then it's glass lined steel.

[jb-texshine]

Have you checked Craigslist.com for beer kegs and milk cans?

[thecroweater]

Copper hot water services were all the go until the 1980s in high and low pressure deals, they are still made but are less common in all but commercial applications but you can often find older units. Almost every house built before say 1967 would have had a copper holding tank in the ceiling that are mostly in good condition (in Oz anyways

[Monkeyman88]

I know that copper ones can still be bought new from the shop here in NZ.

[pfshine]

Lucky bastards.

[Monkeyman88]

Yup. Along with 240v as standard house power and legal distilling.

[thecroweater]

They can be bought here too but they are not cheaper than getting a purpose built one made, ebay and the leeks often have second hand ones that can be got cheap but it's hit and miss with the condition.

[Sgt Stedenko]

Here's a 100% copper milk can I scored off ebay for $72.

Tested the copper and solder with a handheld Olympus XRF meter.
Lead free.
I'm in the process of sanding off the lacquer finish on the outside with some 400 grit wet dry
Ordered some 32# copper plate to fab up a lid and adapt to a 3" tri clamp.
I'll be soldering on a drain valve and 1" male adapter for a heating element.
I might add a 3" face thermometer to the boiler for giggles (have an Omega with a 12" stem sitting around).
This beauty holds 7.5 gallons up to the bottom of the cape.
I had to solder up a few small leaks in the upper seam.
Lead free copper boilers are out there.
Dont let the naysayers discourage your search.