Recomended HLT size

[Timmsy]

What minium size urn or pot that i can convert would be recommended to use a HLT?? Im trying to source one or can i convert my 19ltr stock pot? To small?

[drsmurto]

My electric urn (HLT) is approx 25L which is more than fine for single batches (20L). It all depends on the other parts of your brewery and what batch sizes you are aiming for.

[James L]

A HLT is one of the last things i need...

I was thinking about getting a pot/urn/keg about 25-30L because if you need 2- 2.5L for 1kg of grain plus the water that the grain will absorb so that'll be about 20ish litres for a 5kg grain bill, plus you want a little room incase you want to do a stronger brew (with more grain). And once that lot of water is used, you have that hour for the grain to convert to get the next lot of water (which wont need to be as much as the first lot) up to temp.

I think i might buy a cheap pot and tig weld a stainless steel 1/2inch fitting onto the bottom so i can attach a ball valve... then use an immesion heater and mashmasher HLT temp controller...

[Timmsy]

Just rung around and found a second hand urn for $125 didnt have the ltrs on it so he gave me the size 380mm x 380mm by my calculations thats about 43ltrs correct? Mite have to go check it out after work

[drsmurto]

Thats a nice find mate - 43L is what i calc too. But thats prob outer not inner diameter but still its a bigger urn than mine. Mine was free tho

[Timmsy]

Anything free is good. I will go check it out after work and if so i will see if i can knock the price down even more haha

[James L]

there is one that has the dimensions of 420x360 and that reckons it has a capacity of about 30L... so i'd say thats what you'll be getting (if you are still getting it)..

I cant seem to find much in the way of Urns in W.A.

[Timmsy]

Went and looked at it. Didnt seem as big as the bloke said. The inside is only half of the overall size and doesnt look the best in quality way. I no it has been sitting there for a while as ive seen it there for ages but never thought of anything bout it. So its back to searching for one or thinking of something else. any ideas??

[James L]

pot with a tap, or steal a keg and cut it up (i didnt say that), and an immersion heater. cheaper than an urn. and you can temp control if you wish.

thats my plan

try you local oppy. or some catering places have second hand equipment. Or if you know someone with one, you could borrow it every brew day... ask the local CWA ladies or PCYC. RSL, bingo club, i dunno whatever.

[Trough Lolly]

Two keg shaped vessels, one for the boil and one as a HLT - hook them up to a March pump underneath and away you go!




Cheers,
TL

[Timmsy]

I bit the bullet and brought the urn that i needed. All that is left i have to do now with the set up is get a burner, regulator and have a tap welded in my pot with the other accessories. Im nearly there! Then its my turn for the dark side