18-8 stainless steel

[Gatsby]

I have a 1/2 barrel keg, 15 1/2 gallons, with the top cut away. The hole is almost 13 inches diameter. I'm thinking I could solder an inverted mixing bowl on top to make a boiler. 8 quart bowls are commonly about 13 inches, but they are usually made from 18-8 stainless rather than 304 or 306. I've read that is less resistant to corrosion.
Any thoughts?
Also, what grade are kegs?

[Gatsby]

Just googled; kegs are usually 304.

[corene1]

https://victorybolt.com/what-are-the-di ... ss-steels/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow This may give a little insight. Quite a few folks here on HD have used the 18-8 bowls successfully. I have also welded collars to big 18-8 cook pots for some of the beer brewers here in town with good success. The fittings are 304 type stainless.

[StillerBoy]

I've soldered many ss bowls to form the top of sills, with never an issue arising from it..

Mars

[Gatsby]

Pretty stuff Mars.
Do you know if the bowls were 18-8? That is the common material here, but I see you are in Canada.
I can find bowls in 304 but not the size I need, 13+ inches.

[Gatsby]

Thanks Corene,
I'd like a chemistry/metallurgy type to chime in.
Been having good success with Staybrite and special flux; thanks for that.

[StillerBoy]

Do you know if the bowls were 18-8? That is the common material here, but I see you are in Canada.

Thanks

I wouldn't know for sure, will have to check that out..

Also, I use Superior 71 paste over Harris Stay Clean.. much easier to work with and clean up is easy..

I have found that Harris is very sensitive to heat, whereas, Superior starts as a paste, heating it up slowly, it turns to a liquid, then it dry out, then you done have to worry about burning the paste..

Mars

[StillerBoy]

Just checked on the extra ss bowls I have, and none have any marking as to the grade, only that they are ss and the country they are from..

Mars

[Gatsby]

Thanks Mars

[Oldvine Zin]

Love the subtle bend at the end of your condenser, a work of art

OVZ

[Fruit Squeezer]

You said you were soldering, so dis-similar metals aren't such a problem. Just be sure to use Silver Solder and an approriate flux.