Are stainless steel ball valves safe?

[simeonruiz]

Hi Guys,

probably this has been already discused in the forum, but the search engine is ignoring the word "Plastic" so I can't get the result I want.

My doubt here is this: I'm starting to build my boiler using a stainless steel beer keg by adding some ferrules and a 1/2" dump port. For this port, I'll be using a stainless steel ball valve, specifically this one

https://es.aliexpress.com/item/Free-US- ... 4a93h90FCC" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

But after a while I remembered the valve has a small plastic piece, I think is made of viton or vynil. I know for sure it is food safe, since I use these valves for brewing beer from years ago, but brewing beer, the hot liquid doesn't contains alcohol and after fermentation besides the ABV is quile low is not at high temperature. However for distilling is different since usually the ABV on the boiler will be a bit higher and will be at high temperature. So I'm not so sure if this kind of valves are safe for use here or if the problem comes when the ABV is higher than a specific value.

Thanks for you help guys.

Cheers!

[Expat]

From my reading, yeah there is no problem with using a ball valve as a dump on the boiler; regardless of the material it's never coming in contact with high proof vapors.

Re searching, you want to use the link on the top bar of every page, it's labeled "HD Google Search". Much better than the built in search.

[simeonruiz]

Cool, thanks for the two hints.

Good to know that at that proof won't be much problem.
And thank you very much for the hint on the Google Search. This will ease my investigation a lot.

Thx!

[Swedish Pride]

it's what I use.
Also, upgrade to a 1" drain, never heard anyone regretting installing a bigger drain.
or better yet, flip the keg and use the 2" as a drain

[simeonruiz]

the 2" port will be used to install the colum.

I know a 1" valve as a drain won't hurt anyone, but I don't know why, but I'm used to use 1/2" valves for homebrew, so that's why I decided to use it here.
Also this way I can add a camlock connector in case I want to use the pot also as a HLT for my hombrew set up.

IMHO this way I've more flexibility in both setups.

Anyway is good to know there is more people using this valves with no problem in the pot.

Thx!!
Cheers!

[bluefish_dist]

There are lots of ball valves with Teflon seats. Those are safe for vapor or liquid.

[still_stirrin]

I’ve got to agree with Swedish Pride’s comment to increase the size of your drain valve. 1/2” may work (slowly), but you may also accummulate some semi-solids in the backset (dunder) that will plug a smaller 1/2” outlet.

I would recommend at least a 1” drain for this reason. You can always put a reducing adapter on the outlet of the valve if need be, but the ball valve should be a full opening for utility’s sake. The 1” valve and plumbing is more first cost, but it will be a greatly appreciated investment.

“Buy once...cry once” is the motto. And how true it is!
ss

[OtisT]

I was unhappy with my first 1/2” drain valve. Way to slow. 3/4” works fine for me now.

I distill inside and I use a 3 gallon stainless pan with handles as a transfer bucket. With the 3/4 it only takes about 10 seconds to fill. That’s plenty fast enough for me and i’ve had no clogging issues yet. I still have to be careful to open the valve slowly so I don’t splatter out of my bucket. I run cloudy, but not un-strained grains in my boiler. I could see how the 1” would be desired if you had more goop in the boiler.

If I was not using transfer buckets and had a utility sink near by, I could see how a larger 1” drain would be desirable.

Otis

[Sharks_n_danger]

I have a 1.5” Tri clamp as my drain port with a 1.5” TC to 1/2” camlock adapter after the valve. This way I have that flexibility and can use a chugger pump to empty the keg after a run. Might be worth a consideration.

[simeonruiz]

Well, maybe in the future I would change my mind on the size of the drain valve, but as for now, I've been using 1/2" valves for homebrewing for many years, and imho, is not that painful to drain 30-40L through them.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but I think if after your several-hours-run you take 3 minutes to empty you boiler is not a big deal. But as I said, I'm totally new to this hobby and all the experience I've comes from homebrewing.

Cheers!

[zed255]

I put a 1/2" drain on my keg boiler and if I were to do it again I would be upgrading it to 1". I'm OK with a few minutes to drain but the 1/2" drain can't keep up with rinsing.

[Expat]

I'm similarly using the 2" sankey port for my drain, but I've reduced it down to 3/4" for my dump and backset valves.

Half inch was definitely too small, but for me, three quarter seems to be the sweet spot for price and speed.