Insulating keggle

[pigroaster]

I am new to all grain and have my keggle ready with stainless steel coupler, tig welded in place with 1/2 inch stainless steel ball valve and inside pickup. I have added aluminum bubble wrap (used on hot water heaters) with aluminum tape. The tape is above the holes on the sides of the keg keggle. I plan on firing with propane. Should I worry about anything? Thanks for all responses

 

[Bobby_M]

Yes, you should worry. You can't direct fire a vessel insulated with bubble wrap. The material is more of a mylar which will melt at the bottom of the vessel.

Check this out: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/direct-fire-mlt-insulation-project-154652/

 

[pigroaster]

I was hoping you would say: Only insulate the top 2/3!

 

[Northcalais40]

I large volumes, water holds it's temp pretty well. For that matter the mylar bubble wrap (reflectix) is only about r-3 and that is with a sealed,air tight air space. Try it with out, if you have the thing on a burner, fire it up when needed. I think you'll be happier than you would be with melted plastic everywhere.

 

[corncob]

Any particular reason you are planning to direct fire? I use a keg for an unfired-MLT and another for a HLT. I cover the MLT with a poorly-fitting lid from a big pot and an old blanket folded in half. As long as i have 20 pounds of grain or so in there, I only lose 3-4 degrees per hour--which is easily made up for by a little boiling water infusion halfway through.

Just sayin'.

 

[pigroaster]

I use an extreme cooler for mashing (more insulation) and it works fine. I insulated stainless steel tank for heating strike water and the stainless steel keg keggle for reducing the wort after mashing. Now to rethink methods before firing up units.