55 gallon SS mash tun

[Shovelhead89]

I got a deal on a couple 16 gauge 55 gallon ss closed lid barrels. I was thinking of making a mash tun/boiler out of them which I could also use one as a fermenter for now. My plan is to cut open the tops on each and get a couple of clamp on lids. Weld in a SS ball valve on each a couple of inches off the bottom, weld in a threaded port in the side to accept a thermometer. Buy or make a false bottom for the mash tun. If I go legal one day I'd like to be able to use one or both of these as boilers for stripping stills. I've seen some smaller set ups where people mounted 1/2" drills above the tun hooked up to a paddle on the end of a long shift. Any recommendations for this or anything else? I've never used grain before so this is all new to me.

[still_stirrin]

I got a deal on a couple 16 gauge 55 gallon ss closed lid barrels...I was thinking of making a mash tun/boiler out of them...

Let's not talk about a boiler this big, OK?

[bitter]

If these barrels are mild steel I would not use them will result in corrosion. If they are at least 304 stainless steel be perfect to setup for steam mashing. Or setup with a recalculation system and stirring system to make all grain with enzymes a no brainier.

B

[Shovelhead89]

If these barrels are mild steel I would not use them will result in corrosion. If they are at least 304 stainless steel be perfect to setup for steam mashing. Or setup with a recalculation system and stirring system to make all grain with enzymes a no brainier.

B

SS = stainless steel

Definitely going to be using enzymes. I'm pretty lost on everything else you said though