Lidl pasteuriser as a wort boiler?

[mcblades]

Hi

Given the rising costs of "quality" beer kits I have decided to take the plunge into all grain brewing. I already have a lidl jam maker which is essentially a large tea urn which I have been using to pasteurise steam juices etc.

I was wondering if anyone had used one of these for boiling wort in.

cheers for any info

Mark

[Rich]

Yes. I use 2 of these, one as a HLT, the other modified with a better tap to allow faster flow and a hop strainer on the inside. Works very well for 19 to 20 litre brews. A couple of layers of insulation on the outside help it heat better.

[Cellar_Rat]

yes brill

( I have one for sale if anyone is interested)

[kampervan]

much easier to get 65ltr fementin bin and 2 asda kettles plus a tap (ball valve) costs less heats faster and has more room will post pic later as boiling lager at present

[Rich]

I know a lot of people do it etc, But I don't really fancy boiling lots of hot sugary liquid in a plastic tub. maybe it's just me. Nothing against anyone doing it, but it's not for me.

[Cellar_Rat]

I know a lot of people do it etc, But I don't really fancy boiling lots of hot sugary liquid in a plastic tub. maybe it's just me. Nothing against anyone doing it, but it's not for me.

Sorry but (mine at least ) is not plastic but enamel.

PS IF you are new to all grain can I recommend this book.

I read loads befor ei started and this little bueaty it the one..

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brew-Your-British-Real-Camra/dp/1852492589/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297366547&sr=1-1

[kampervan]

sorry but much safer in 65ltr plastic than enamel 25ltr soo much less risk of boil over

[Rich]

Kampervan, I'm not saying your method is wrong at all, just not for me.

No chance with a boil over with a lidl boiler, it's not powerful enough!

Sorry but (mine at least ) is not plastic but enamel.

Yup, Lidl boiler is Enamel. It was aimed at Iain with a plastic boiler. (really, I have nothing against other people using them!)

And, I've not got one/built one so I'm biased against them

[Cellar_Rat]

sorry but much safer in 65ltr plastic than enamel 25ltr soo much less risk of boil over

Sorry missed your point.

[kampervan]

i had/have lidl bioler use as hlt. if it works for you good on you, but i worried about it boiling over, so made a bigger one from one of karls formenters. it works for me. and cost less than £30.

[lockwood1956]

I see a picture tutorial in your future Ian

[Cellar_Rat]

much easier to get 65ltr fementin bin and 2 asda kettles plus a tap (ball valve) costs less heats faster and has more room will post pic later as boiling lager at present

good idea! I found a burco in skip (really)

[mcblades]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I am intrigued by the plastic boiler so any pics/instructions would be gratefully received.

For those using the lidl boiler, did you fit a hop filter or can you use a false bottom? Also, from past experience the tap on mine has a really slow flow rate. Is it a standard size if I want to replace it?

Thanks for the book suggestion. It will be ordered as soon as I can track down a retailer with it in stock.

Thanks again

Mark

[Rich]

Having tried a few hop filters, I've made one. Pic hopefully attached.

Tap needs a bit of work, You can make it all or buy one. I have one of these. Requires the hole to be opened up slightly.

[koomber]

I put a hop filter on mine and then promptly gave up as it was very slow. But switched to using a hop sock (paint strainer bag to hold the hops and stop them getting loose). However, I use counter flow chiller so I get a heap of cold break which I then have to rack off... of.

The tap is an odd size so if upgrade you might need to widen the hole. It is pretty easy but you will chip the enamel so that'll need to be repaired using some suitable enamel paint. Using a hop filter will inevitably slow the flow so you might want to replace the tap.

You'll also need to modify the shut off. There is a monster thread on Jimsbeerkit that covers the mod. Check under the brewing equipment section.

These boilers are cracking, but there are literally hundred of people who have used the plastic boilers. I'm still a coward about these though! But I live in a flat and have already flooded the flat below once so I can't bring myself to do it (I don't think I've seen a thread about a plastic boiler leaking. This is purely down to me being a massive coward )

One thing about the LIDL boiler is that you can fill it to the neck and it won't boilover. But you will get a very nice boil.