Adding an element to copper pot still - unwelded or welded port?

[firsttimer]

Hi all. I’m running a 30L copper alembic pot still on a bayou LPG burner at the moment, works well but i’m always nervous about potential of vapour reaching naked flame.. Still is sealed w tape but as it’s hand beaten everything is always a bit wonky and i’m constantly checking seams with a mirror for leaks.

I’ve read that hotplates don’t stand up to the weight of a full still that well and am considering fitting an element to it instead.

We have a 2200w 240v element run with a PID in a RIMS setup (for brewing) and I’m thinking about drilling a hole in the still to install a 1.5inch stainless weldless TC port in order to use this element, does anyone know if this would be okay, or whether it would have to be a copper TC port welded in?