So, the time has come. Thanks to a couple very generous durum members, I have a keg on hand which already has a triclamp ferrule for an element. So, I built this contraption:
First of all, this was a cleaning run. I don’t know if the keg needs the full treatment or not (it was previously used for gin, but I don’t know how long or how it has been stored, so might as well). It was also my first attempt at setting this whole rig up, and I learned a bit, including the need for more convenient plumbing. Since I’m going to do the whole cleaning thing anyway, I might as well clean a couple pieces that I’ve bade and never used.
On top of the keg is a 2”-3” adapter from Amazon. On top of that is a 3”-1.5” adapter which I built out of a couple ferrules and a song drain plug. Next comes a tee, which I built out of a 1.25” copper tee and 1.5” ferrules, using some thin stainless sleeves cut out of a drain pipe from a sink. Yes, I know there’s a better way. But I had to learn the hard way, and it finally works, so there it is. Next comes the thermometer. Just an off the shelf adapter with the thermometer that came with the Vevor way back when. I didn’t really need it, but I needed a cap anyway, so why not?
According to my fancy new meter on the controller, I’m running about 5800 Watts at full power. The leibig had no trouble knocking that down, although the “product” was coming out pretty warm. So while there were a few learning experiences (including my son learning not to touch something when daddy tells him it’s hot), overall it was a very successful experience. Now I need to get the sacrificial run done and put her to work.
