Adding elements to SS pot

[Ed]

Hi, I've just bought myself a shiny new stainless steel pot and my plan is to stick  a couple of elements into it... but I'm slightly concerned about them sealing against the curved shape of the pot.

Is this a valid concern? how has everyone else got around the problem?

it's a 36l pot with 1.2mm walls (apparently), I currently have two argos kettle elements I had used in a plastic bucket for my BIAB.

If I need to change to a different element, I'm happy to do that as long as it'll last etc.

Cheers!

[Leann ull]

Ed because you are a full member I have the following advice .
You can bang the shit out of the side of your pot as Mr Dempsey advocates on Barrels with a 3x2 and it works well  but not recommended as it will ruin your shiny.
Make your hole as clean as you can and use the red ring from your plastic kettle also use this stuff its food/water approved and perfect for us homebrewers and available for most decent plumbers merchants for a tenner

http://www.fernox.com/products/traditional+plumbing+products/jointing+compounds/ls-x+external+leak+sealer

If you want to go mad you can buy proper elements, charlie shiels in inchicore haven't had them in ages so
http://www.backerelectric.com/products/kettle_elements.asp or homebrew builder and these fellas which are great to get a really tight fit
http://www.brewbuilder.co.uk/2-4kw-kettle-elements-p74.html

[darren996]

I bought 2 elements as i didnt fancy butchering two kettles. They were a bitch to seal as they came with plastic lock nuts. I replaced them with proper steel lock nuts and they seal no prob now.

Peco sell homebrew elements with washers and steel lock nuts, link below

http://www.pecoservices.co.uk/spare-element-mashing-bin---eb5-21-p.asp

[Ed]

Thanks, I'm not sure about the idea of attacking it with a lump of 3x2...  if I'd been lucky enough to acquire an old keg, maybe, but not something I bought :-P

I'll check the diameter when it arrives and decide, the lwd elements could be good, but the peco ones would do rightly either i think.

[Ed]

Slightly off topic, but I just got the pot and it's a little out of shape, the lid goes on, but it's very snug - you can see the pot's gone a little oval.

Does this matter though? is it okay once the lid goes on and I can boil stuff in it? I know I could (should?) return it, but is there any point really?

[GrahamR]

You wont have the lid on when boiling so should be fine

[Ed]

Cheers - I just bent it back into shape, so it fits much better now... I just want it to help speed up heating the strike water.

[GrahamR]

In that case I'd throw  some heavy towels on it too. Always does the trick for me