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Indirect heating

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 5:51 pm
by Corn Cracker
Would it be possible to heat the mashton or still by cutting off and welding the bottom of another keg to the 15gl still for about 5 gallons of volume, equip that with a heating element, pressure relief valve and fill/drain plug to fill with oil or water to heat a keg mashton or still?
Just a thought that came to mind

Re: Indirect heating

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 6:00 pm
by SW_Shiner
That's just describing a bain marie or double boiler, sort of. Should be doable provided safety is followed. Though i don't know how well it would work for heat transfer, or accurate heat transfer.

Re: Indirect heating

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 6:10 pm
by Corn Cracker
Sounds worth digging around here for info on it. It would be nice to mash, ferment and distill without transferring and all.
Thanks

Re: Indirect heating

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 6:24 pm
by SW_Shiner
Another option would be to use another a separate boiler as a steam generator. Plumb it kind of as you would a thumper, or i have seem some that have used CSST to make a wand that can easily be poked into any vessel.

Re: Indirect heating

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:06 pm
by subbrew
In my smaller still I sat it in a pot of oil and then put it on my propane burner. I was having a hard time controlling the heat input as the burner was not very adjustable. And I was afraid of scorching. It worked well and although the heat response was slow, it did seem to allow good control as the heat entering the boiler as directly proportional to the temperature difference between the boiler liquid and the oil.

Cons
Messy
Would start to float as the boiler char boiled off
Slow response time to changes in heat input

Pros
Steady heat
Good control once the proper heat/oil temp was reached

Re: Indirect heating

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:44 pm
by shadylane
Baine Marie with built in steam injection.
viewtopic.php?t=59138


Indirect electric heated 5 gal korny still/
viewtopic.php?p=7232765&hilit=shadylane ... t#p7232765

Re: Indirect heating

Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 1:42 am
by Corn Cracker
Ok, that's good enough to get me in the rabbit hole. I've got a big pot, some ideas and a lot of research to do.
Thanks, y'all

Re: Indirect heating

Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 10:29 am
by shadylane
Corn Cracker wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 6:10 pm Sounds worth digging around here for info on it. It would be nice to mash, ferment and distill without transferring and all.
Thanks
Sounds like it's time to upgrade to a steam rig.

Re: Indirect heating

Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 12:15 pm
by Corn Cracker
shadylane wrote: Wed Apr 09, 2025 10:29 am
Corn Cracker wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 6:10 pm Sounds worth digging around here for info on it. It would be nice to mash, ferment and distill without transferring and all.
Thanks
Sounds like it's time to upgrade to a steam rig.
I'm not even done with my current upgrade to a keg.
i noticed a piece of 24, maybe 30 inches diameter by about 24 inches tall 316 stainless, round duct at work that our mechanical crew had laying around. I'm going to ask them for it tomorrow if I see it again. Seems like I could work it into a vessel to put the keg in

Re: Indirect heating

Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 4:15 pm
by Salt Must Flow
30" x 24" is HUGE. That's like 73 gallon total volume.

Re: Indirect heating

Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 5:37 pm
by Corn Cracker
I figure it can be cut and welded, the roundness is already there so, it shouldn't be too bad, I'll need a bottom and somewhat of a top that fits around the keg.I'm thinking, if it's not sealed at the top, there should be no issues with pressure.

Re: Indirect heating

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2025 11:47 am
by Corn Cracker
The foreman said i could have it, they were planning on throwing it away. I have to work a few hours in the morning so, I'll bring it home after work.