5 Gallon Milk Can Design

[Rustic Hives]

I have this 5 gallon milk can that I've had for many years. I would like to make a boiler from it using an electric element to heat it. The lid is heavy duty. Once I put a silicone seal on the lid, it will clamp down and deal nice and tight.

The lid has a 1 inch opening with a 1/2 inch 90 degree out the side of it. Initially, I though this would automatically be a good design to attach a condenser to. I am not sure how effective this would be? Am I better off grinding this off and attaching a 2 inch column to it?

[Deplorable]

You'd be better off cutting it off and sealing the hole. Put the riser on center. And for the sake of safety. Do not use silicone for a seal.

[Oatmeal]

The lid kinda looks like brass, which is generally not recommended owing to potential lead exposure....

Otherwise, a pretty sweet boiler!

[Kindafrench]

The can itself looks like it's made of aluminum. If it is, I wouldn't use it for neither boiling or storing an acidic wash. Silicone lid... same. Doesn't look like a healthy build.
If it is, please search for aluminum boiler in the forum. Searching for silicone will surely point you to some threads which will tell you not to use it.

Edit: Sorry for my dumbness. You told alreads that it's made of ss in the welcome center.

[Rustic Hives]

The can itself looks like it's made of aluminum. If it is, I wouldn't use it for neither boiling or storing an acidic wash. Silicone lid... same. Doesn't look like a healthy build.
If it is, please search for aluminum boiler in the forum. Searching for silicone will surely point you to some threads which will tell you not to use it.

Edit: Sorry for my dumbness. You told alreads that it's made of ss in the welcome center.

I will do more research and double check what this lid is made of. The handle portion is brass and bolted to the lid. I'm not sure what the lid itself is made of and that is what is exposed to vapor.

I am trying to repurpose what I already have. If it get's too complex and definitely dangerous, I will scrap this idea and start over.

[Ben]

looks like a great candidate for a mixing bowl head, take a measurement and see if you can find one that fits

[ShineonCrazyDiamond]

Looks almost perfect as a thumper to a respectable sized 15.5g boiler (assuming materials are found safe). Plumbing is there already in lid, just cut (bigger) inlet/out hole. New piping... it would be real nice.

Just promise not to use silicon seal, and we'll keep helping you in the right direction .

[Rustic Hives]

Looks almost perfect as a thumper to a respectable sized 15.5g boiler (assuming materials are found safe). Plumbing is there already in lid, just cut (bigger) inlet/out hole. New piping... it would be real nice.

Just promise not to use silicon seal, and we'll keep helping you in the right direction .

No worries about the silicone. Thanks for the suggestion. I have asked around locally to see if I can get my hands on a keg. I think that may be a better route to go.

[Bushman]

I have 4 of those Milk jugs and I am making a copper top for mine. Currently on vacation for three weeks but if I remember I will take a picture when I get home.

[Rustic Hives]

Back to the drawing board. I jumped the gun assuming my pot was SS. Turns out it is aluminum. I am going to try to source a full size keg to build a reflux column. I should have thought this through a little more before immediately posting the question. Hope I didn't waste anyone's time but I did get some good suggestions and I have a much better idea of what direction I want to go with my build.

I work for a large agriculture company that markets grain (corn, soybeans, and wheat). I basically an unlimited source for grain when I am ready for a run.

I want to make my setup as easy and efficient as possible.

[Rustic Hives]

I have 4 of those Milk jugs and I am making a copper top for mine. Currently on vacation for three weeks but if I remember I will take a picture when I get home.

Are your milk cans SS or aluminum? I just took a magnet to mine and it did not stick. I assume it is aluminum.

[cob]

Are your milk cans SS or aluminum? I just took a magnet to mine and it did not stick. I assume it is aluminum.

I have never seen an aluminum milk jug, only stainless steel. please note that a magnet won't stick to most stainless.

[Rustic Hives]

Are your milk cans SS or aluminum? I just took a magnet to mine and it did not stick. I assume it is aluminum.

I have never seen an aluminum milk jug, only stainless steel. please note that a magnet won't stick to most stainless.

I'm no expert in a lot of things. This can has some heft to it. It is pretty old but I know I would never repurpose it for anything else which is why I decided to try to make a boiler from it.

[Bushman]

I have 4 of those Milk jugs and I am making a copper top for mine. Currently on vacation for three weeks but if I remember I will take a picture when I get home.

Are your milk cans SS or aluminum? I just took a magnet to mine and it did not stick. I assume it is aluminum.

Stainless Steel I have 3 shaped like yours and another 5 gallon one that is shaped more like a pot. Yours look like SS!

[cob]

I'm no expert in a lot of things. This can has some heft to it. It is pretty old but I know I would never repurpose it for anything else which is why I decided to try to make a boiler from it.

If you tap on it with a piece of steel, stainless will ring slightly, aluminum will have a dull sound.

ting ting vs thunk thunk.

Having looked closely at your pictures it looks like stainless based on the shine and the weld

for the handle. take it to a welder (a real welder) they will tell you in an instant.

Having said all that you will be better served with a keg, and please don't use that

lid it just looks nasty. Unless you can prove it is solid copper. (not likely).

Bushman writes faster than I do

[Rustic Hives]

It has a ring to it when tapped. The more I looked at the lid and read the posts here, I would not use the lid. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Kindafrench]

Are your milk cans SS or aluminum? I just took a magnet to mine and it did not stick. I assume it is aluminum.

I have never seen an aluminum milk jug, only stainless steel. please note that a magnet won't stick to most stainless.

Aluminum milk cans were a standard over here in Europe, for the last century at least. So they are all around. Newer ones are made of ss and that's much better in any way.

[Kindafrench]

I'm no expert in a lot of things. This can has some heft to it. It is pretty old but I know I would never repurpose it for anything else which is why I decided to try to make a boiler from it.

If you tap on it with a piece of steel, stainless will ring slightly, aluminum will have a dull sound.

ting ting vs thunk thunk.

Having looked closely at your pictures it looks like stainless based on the shine and the weld

for the handle. take it to a welder (a real welder) they will tell you in an instant.

Having said all that you will be better served with a keg, and please don't use that

lid it just looks nasty. Unless you can prove it is solid copper. (not likely).

Bushman writes faster than I do

The weld looks more like it's soldered. It misses the typical waves on the weld.
Can is aluminum and handle + holders are ss - imho.

[corene1]

From what I can se the tabs looked soldered. Check to see if the material is hard or soft. Take a sharp knife or a file and see if you can peel the surface . Aluminum will peel quite easily and stainless will barely scratch. Check the soldered area as well to see what material was used in th ejoint. I have seen a few types of aluminum solder but it is rare to see it on and older vessel.

[jedneck]

I’d wager a bottle of 18yo scotch n a 36 ounce porterhouse that its stainless but lid is brass and will be lead soldered

[greggn]

I work for a large agriculture company that markets grain (corn, soybeans, and wheat). I basically an unlimited source for grain when I am ready for a run.

Regardless of the material, you should put that can in the corner of a room with some dried flowers in it and work on building or buying a larger boiler. It's kind of silly to have an unlimited source of grain but then be severely limited in the size of the batches that can be run.