Good inexpensive boiler 19 liters

[pomiataa]

There is no need for flour paste, rubber gaskets or clamps. The lid closes so tight that vapor does not escape.

Here is what I did:
Made a hole in the lid and screwed a stainless bathtub sink. Cut from plain cardboard (no gloss and color), gaskets to seal between the lid and sink.

Cut a cardboard gasket to seal between the sink and column nut.

Use 100% cotton thread to seal the thermometer.

The boiler I found at the Canadian Tire store (for people living in other countries – it is a mixed hardware store where they sell a little bit of everything including car parts).
It is made, I guess in China (like everything else) and it is originally intended for boiling (sterilizing) homemade jars with food.
There is one thing you should pay attention before you buy it. Check all the stock pots available, because I’ve noticed that some of them don’t close tight. Examine if the lid closes well all around.
I’ve noticed that approximately half of the above stock pot lids, does not close very tight. Even if it is necessary, try one pot with different lids or backwards. Check another store.
I am very happy with, because it costs $30 (when not in special), cleans easy and seals perfectly. When I distill there is no alcohol smell.

[pomiataa]

If you want to use the boiler as a potstill, a simple adapter like this one does perfect job.

[rad14701]

It's definitely getting difficult to find stock pots with decent lids these days... Most either have flat, cheaply stamped, stainless lids that would be difficult to seal, or come with glass or other non-metallic lids... The style you've found is definitely a good choice... I've looked high and low locally for just such a pot and lid combination but haven't found any sized larger than 8 quarts/liters, and even those have been very pricey...

EDIT: WooHoo... Post 4000...

[pomiataa]

I don’t see a reason why the China wouldn’t want to sell this stockpot to other countries.
Originally I bought it for its original purpose (it was on special for $20), but the lid was so tight that you have to push it down to close it. This gave me the idea to use it as boiler.
Next time I go to that store I’ll make a picture of the labels.
The brand name might give a better idea where to find it in the US.

[HookLine]

It's definitely getting difficult to find stock pots with decent lids these days... Most either have flat, cheaply stamped, stainless lids that would be difficult to seal,

You can get top quality stainless stockpots from professional catering suppliers, with strong walls, solid tight fitting lids, properly welded handles (NO rivets), and lovely thick heat diffusing bases. But they cost. About $200 for a decent size one here. Mind you, like stainless valves, spread that cost out over your lifetime and it is a tiny investment with a high return, that will pay itself off very quickly.

WooHoo... Post 4000...

Pffft. Newcomer.

[pomiataa]

... spread that cost out over your lifetime and it is a tiny investment with a high return, that will pay itself off very quickly...

The quality of the booze you make is proportional to your lifetime.

[pomiataa]

Here is the brandname as promissed:

[Mark Ducati]

Looks an awful lot like the "Turkey Fryers" we have here in the states, only your lid looks better...

When I bought my still off of EBAY, it came with a circular clamp for the copper lid that binds down on the stainless steel 2gal pot below... has some kind of gasket stuck to the copper, but the circular clamp has 3 parts to make the circumference that tighten with a screw.

I don't know much about this type clamp, but surely there's got to be bigger ones out there that would fit this kind of application... I'm gonna start looking and think about using a SS Turkey fryer in future for bigger batches...

I've only been on this site a couple days, and can tell already that I wish I had a beer keg still Don't know what I'd do with gallons of hooch (more than I can drink), but it sure would be fun just making it

[pomiataa]

Beer keg is a good choice if you plan to use sugar washes only. For fruit and grain it will be difficult to clean it, unless you do some cutting and welding.

Here is a picture of the lid, which explains why it closes so tight. I don’t know what is the point of being this tight when you use it as a stockpot, but it is perfect for my use.