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Cheap stainless stock pots
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 4:42 am
by Steve Broady
For anyone tempted to use those cheap stainless stock pots as either a boiler or storage vessel, pay attention to the handles. I’ve seen some that are welded on, but most are riveted. Those rivets are universally aluminum in my experience.
Here’s a look at some on a pot I was using for sous vide cooking. This is after 24 hours of exposure to water vapor.
If you want to use the pot, and you want to keep the handles, you can get copper rivets pretty cheaply.
This is on a small pot I’m using to build a gin/test still, so I soldered the rivets just to make sure they sealed properly. I’ll go in and clean everything up before I button the boiler up eventually.
Re: Cheap stainless stock pots
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 4:51 am
by Buffalo
Did you remove the rivets and replace with some kind of copper bolt with the flats ground off or is it original with copper?
Regards
Re: Cheap stainless stock pots
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 4:56 am
by Steve Broady
Buffalo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 12, 2023 4:51 am
Did you remove the rivets and replace with some kind of copper bolt with the flats ground off or is it original with copper?
Regards
I ground the original aluminum rivet heads off, then replaced then with copper rivets from Amazon.
https://a.co/d/hQPMxpu
If the metal were a little thicker, and my fabrication skills a little better, I might have foregone the solder. But as it was, I wanted to be sure they were sealed up, and it was easy to do.
Re: Cheap stainless stock pots
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:24 am
by MooseMan
Funnily enough, I was expecting the same, and was planning to just remove the handles and solder a copper strap over to seal the holes as soon as I saw any reaction.
But both those that I've built with so far have no signs of corrosion at all?
Re: Cheap stainless stock pots
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:32 am
by Steve Broady
Long before I saw signs of corrosion, I did a simple test to see what the rivets were made out of. I attempted to scratch them with a knife, and they were clearly far softer than stainless. I didn’t do any further tests, but made the decision then to replace any before they saw spirits. And after seeing the corrosion on the pot I was cooking in, I’m sorely tempted to do the same on that one, even though it’s almost exclusively used for sous vide these days.
Re: Cheap stainless stock pots
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 6:23 am
by MooseMan
Steve Broady wrote: ↑Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:32 am
Long before I saw signs of corrosion, I did a simple test to see what the rivets were made out of. I attempted to scratch them with a knife, and they were clearly far softer than stainless. I didn’t do any further tests, but made the decision then to replace any before they saw spirits. And after seeing the corrosion on the pot I was cooking in, I’m sorely tempted to do the same on that one, even though it’s almost exclusively used for sous vide these days.
You know what, now you say that, I'm gonna get some copper rivets.
Re: Cheap stainless stock pots
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 4:40 pm
by Deplorable
Steve Broady wrote: ↑Thu Oct 12, 2023 4:42 am
For anyone tempted to use those cheap stainless stock pots as either a boiler or storage vessel, pay attention to the handles. I’ve seen some that are welded on, but most are riveted. Those rivets are universally aluminum in my experience.
Here’s a look at some on a pot I was using for sous vide cooking. This is after 24 hours of exposure to water vapor.
IMG_3978.jpeg
If you want to use the pot, and you want to keep the handles, you can get copper rivets pretty cheaply.
IMG_3979.jpeg
This is on a small pot I’m using to build a gin/test still, so I soldered the rivets just to make sure they sealed properly. I’ll go in and clean everything up before I button the boiler up eventually.
I understand that most folks don't have any experience with solid shank rivets, but when driven properly they will create a fluid and vapor tight seal provided the correct size rivet is used for the hole.
Working in the aviation industry I'm fortunate to have the proper tools to work with solid shank rivets, but rarely do I get to use them outside of work. Copper rivets are as easy to work with as aluminum, but Titanium and steel rivets require a little more skill.
Good work on a proper solution.
Re: Cheap stainless stock pots
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 4:55 pm
by Wildcats
Nice work around. Looks like it'll serve you well. Cheer's
Re: Cheap stainless stock pots
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:12 pm
by shadylane
When I saw "Cheap stainless stock pots" and rivets.
I thought you were fixing to connect two pots together with a shit load of Closed End (Sealed) Domed Head POP Rivets.
Some day, someone will give it a try.
Re: Cheap stainless stock pots
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 7:50 pm
by Steve Broady
shadylane wrote: ↑Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:12 pm
When I saw "Cheap stainless stock pots" and rivets.
I thought you were fixing to connect two pots together with a shit load of Closed End (Sealed) Domed Head POP Rivets.
Some day, someone will give it a try.
That feels like something that should DEFINITELY be in the What Not To Do section!
I admit, I’ve looked at pop rivets a few times. They sell copper rivets, but upon closer inspection they seem to be copper plated, rather than solid. So, no-go for me.
Re: Cheap stainless stock pots
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 8:37 pm
by shadylane
Steve Broady wrote: ↑Thu Oct 12, 2023 7:50 pm
shadylane wrote: ↑Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:12 pm
When I saw "Cheap stainless stock pots" and rivets.
I thought you were fixing to connect two pots together with a shit load of Closed End (Sealed) Domed Head POP Rivets.
Some day, someone will give it a try.
That feels like something that should DEFINITELY be in the What Not To Do section!
I admit, I’ve looked at pop rivets a few times. They sell copper rivets, but upon closer inspection they seem to be copper plated, rather than solid. So, no-go for me.
Don't underestimate the holding power of pop rivets.
The best thing about pop rivets is Ya only need to have access to one side and a hammer and anvil isn't needed.
Guess I should start a post about pop rivets and cheap SS pots.
Looks like I'm almost guilty of highjack, since this post is about doing a great job riveting a handle with copper
Re: Cheap stainless stock pots
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 10:33 pm
by Yummyrum
Nice solution Steve
I’ve got a similar issue with some stock pots in our kitchen . Never even though of switching them out for copper ones .
Hey are they annelled copper ?
Re: Cheap stainless stock pots
Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2023 4:42 am
by Steve Broady
Yummyrum wrote: ↑Thu Oct 12, 2023 10:33 pm
Hey are they annelled copper ?
I dunno, Yummy. I whacked ‘em with a hammer against an anvil, and they smooshed. I contemplated annealing them first, but thought I’d try them straight out of the bag first. They worked well enough that I didn’t bother.
Re: Cheap stainless stock pots
Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2023 5:09 am
by Yummyrum
Steve Broady wrote: ↑Fri Oct 13, 2023 4:42 am
Yummyrum wrote: ↑Thu Oct 12, 2023 10:33 pm
Hey are they annelled copper ?
I dunno, Yummy. I whacked ‘em with a hammer against an anvil, and they smooshed. I contemplated annealing them first, but thought I’d try them straight out of the bag first. They worked well enough that I didn’t bother.
Say they probably are then
Guess’n a good smack soon work hardens them
