Home Distiller

I have a 1/2 barrel keg, 15 1/2 gallons, with the top cut away. The hole is almost 13 inches diameter. I'm thinking I could solder an inverted mixing bowl on top to make a boiler. 8 quart bowls are commonly about 13 inches, but they are usually made from 18-8 stainless rather than 304 or 306. I've read that is less resistant to corrosion.
Any thoughts?
Also, what grade are kegs?

Just googled; kegs are usually 304.

https://victorybolt.com/what-are-the-di ... ss-steels/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow This may give a little insight. Quite a few folks here on HD have used the 18-8 bowls successfully. I have also welded collars to big 18-8 cook pots for some of the beer brewers here in town with good success. The fittings are 304 type stainless.

I've soldered many ss bowls to form the top of sills, with never an issue arising from it..

Mars

Pretty stuff Mars.
Do you know if the bowls were 18-8? That is the common material here, but I see you are in Canada.
I can find bowls in 304 but not the size I need, 13+ inches.

Thanks Corene,
I'd like a chemistry/metallurgy type to chime in.
Been having good success with Staybrite and special flux; thanks for that.

Gatsby wrote:Do you know if the bowls were 18-8? That is the common material here, but I see you are in Canada.

Thanks

I wouldn't know for sure, will have to check that out..

Also, I use Superior 71 paste over Harris Stay Clean.. much easier to work with and clean up is easy..

I have found that Harris is very sensitive to heat, whereas, Superior starts as a paste, heating it up slowly, it turns to a liquid, then it dry out, then you done have to worry about burning the paste..

Mars

Just checked on the extra ss bowls I have, and none have any marking as to the grade, only that they are ss and the country they are from..

Mars

Thanks Mars

Love the subtle bend at the end of your condenser, a work of art

OVZ

You said you were soldering, so dis-similar metals aren't such a problem. Just be sure to use Silver Solder and an approriate flux.