Boiler heat shroud

by **bt1** » Mon May 06, 2013 6:33 pm

Howdy,

Nothing new really but a timely reminder for established and pointer for new members.

Pre shroud:
Boiler: 50lt SS keg
Heat time: 1.25 hours
Wash:48lt
Run:2 - 2.5 hours
Gas: 3 burners rings used

With shroud
Boiler: 50lt SS keg
Heat time: approx 37mins
Wash:48lt
Run:1.5 hours
Gas:small ring and large ring on half

Cost $17 for drum (Paramounts if in SA), cutting disk existing, scrap R2.0 90mm Earthwool, Selleys liquid nails super set $7...should pay for itself in 2 gas bottles time :D

simple, quick saves you plenty. 50lt kegs are about 370mm wide, drum is 600mm insulation 90mm so 600 - (2 x 90mm) gives you a nice comfy fit. Won't worry about heat loss this winter.... as a guide I'm about to do spirit run 6 from same 9kg bottle. Tested with MAPP Pro 3700c+... flat stick with air hose flat can just induce smoulder but no ignition....bottle gas or even car LPG about 1900c so well good.

This is it after a few runs... good as new...

IMAG0008.jpg

IMAG0011.jpg

So now you have your winter keg cosy...get on with it and save ur self a few $ :handgestures-thumbupleft:

bt1

by **kelbygreen** » Mon May 06, 2013 6:41 pm

nice idea :handgestures-thumbupleft:

by **Brendan** » Mon May 06, 2013 6:58 pm

If you're on electric, head to Clark Rubber and pick up a metre of the Silver/Black insatiable stuff ($20)...

Works ridiculously well, if I don't take it off, the boiler is still very hot 24 hours later. Perfect for a mash tun to hold the temp for an hour :handgestures-thumbupleft:

by **punchy21** » Mon May 06, 2013 7:25 pm

That's some impressive stats bt1! I might have to dress my boiler up in something warm coming into winter and all... I'm using electric so ill have to see what I can find. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

by **Sam.** » Mon May 06, 2013 8:35 pm

You cant argue with those results :handgestures-thumbupleft:

by **bt1** » Sun May 12, 2013 8:24 am

Pictures worth plenty...

During run only the medium ring being used...love saving gas btw this was run #6 from same bottle...just scraped in.

IMAG0017.jpg

bt1

by **crow** » Sun May 12, 2013 10:33 am

Good timing bt , was just telling my NIL about this last weekend, now I can direct him to this post

by **Brendan** » Sun May 12, 2013 10:38 am

I'm actually surprised that people are surprised by this...

I thought it was the standard idea that everyone wraps their boiler in some form of insulation?? Thought it was making a boiler 101...if not, you're losing a lot of heat and the whole process isn't very efficient.

Good reporting bt1... :handgestures-thumbupleft:

by **1 2many** » Wed May 15, 2013 4:20 pm

I agree very good savings on time and energy. Is that a 100 ltr drum ? And in the winter does anyone cover there bubbler or reflux column as well or only if out in a breeze. Cheers :handgestures-thumbupleft:

by **baldoss** » Wed May 15, 2013 4:46 pm

Excellent post mate, definitely going to be setting one of these up!

by **adam89** » Wed May 22, 2013 2:14 pm

How have you found the Earth Wool is holding up after a few runs? Has it started to deteriorate?

by **bt1** » Wed May 22, 2013 4:05 pm

No issues Adam,

it doesn't seem to singe or oxidise ... I guess there are other better products around but this seems fine.... what I do like is only using 1 ring on the 3 ring burner and cutting out a tad under two hours.

cheers
bt1

by **drunkmore** » Sun Aug 18, 2013 8:26 pm

Yup cutting two hours off run time has to be a good thing.
How is your burner getting air? I have same type. I would have thought that would starve, but obviously not.

by **bt1** » Mon Aug 19, 2013 7:53 am

The cut out for the burner stems/valves seems to enough, although it does sit on pavers and would most likely pull air through given the slightly uneven surface. A couple of pieces of flat steel would do the same if your concerned with it.

gas flame colour will tell you if it's pure orange it needs more air.

cheers
bt1

by **stretch69** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 11:41 am

That's awesome mate, do you use this with the bubbler?.
I've been looking for something like this, it would kind of make things a bit safer as well wouldn't it?
I'm only planning my bubbler at the moment but I've been worried about getting a leak or something and it catching on fire