 Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
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Newbie here. Getting reading to do my sacrificial run. 5 gals of sugar wash. I posted I had a problem during the clean out run of my diffusion plate getting so hot to melt about 1/4 of it. Trying to find someone locally to make up a new steel one failed. So I'm thinking about my 10" cast iron skillet. The PSII boiler fits with a 1/2" to spare around the circumference so am seriously considering using this until I can get someone locally to make a new one up for me. Before I fire it up tomorrow just wondering what everyone thinks? Use nothing or the cast iron skillet. What does everyone think? thanks in advance.
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 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/16/2011(UTC)
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A steel plate is a good idea. I have occasional access to welding scrap and got a 1/4" steel plate exact same dia as the BH aluminum one. Besides diffusing the heat, its also to protect the boiler. I'd say keep looking til you get one
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"Maybe a plate or two from an old weight set? The iron ones of course ;-) You can plug it by sacrificing a piece of an unused dumbbell shaft. Depending on your burner you may not need to plug it at all.
--JB"
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
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"JB
Yeah that would work, tho may take a lot more time to come to temp. But, in the end, protecting the boiler is most important to me :)"
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
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" Originally Posted by: Outland  JB
Yeah that would work, tho may take a lot more time to come to temp. But, in the end, protecting the boiler is most important to me :) Then the cast iron skillet would be better than nothing at all?"
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
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"I was thinking of the standard size rather than the Olympic size. Hopefully, they shouldn't slow things down too too much. The Olympic size may be unworkable.
Just be very careful with them. I've heated them up before for various (dumb ass kid) reasons ... and they seemed to stay hot forever ... so they're a definite burn risk if you forget and lay a hand (or knee) on one of them when you _think_ they've already cooled down.
BTW: I liked the skillet idea as well. I had access to a good sized one that my Pop & I used for making our sinkers ... but one of the cousins must have made of with that one when I wasn't looking. The rest of them are barely big enough to make a scaun ;-)
Good luck! I hope you're up and running 100% soon.
--JB"
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
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CC0
Yep, the cast iron skillet is better than nothing. I assume you are using propane, look around for some scrap plate steel or iron and grind to fit your burner....doesn't have to be perfectly round
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
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" Originally Posted by: Outland CC0
Yep, the cast iron skillet is better than nothing. I assume you are using propane, look around for some scrap plate steel or iron and grind to fit your burner....doesn't have to be perfectly round Living in a small rural town I don't have too many options. The one business that does the cutting that I wanted closed for lunch and I couldn't hang around for his return. That's the bad thing about living in a small town. Hopefully the next time I go to town he'll be there and will be able to construct the diffuser plate I want. I probably should have ordered one from HB or Amazon. I would have had it already. Anyway I'm firing up tomorrow morning and am anxious to see the whole run to completion. thanks to all for the advice."
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
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"CC0
Just a thought, cruise over to your local High school and see if they have a metal/welding shop.....you might find what you want for dirt cheap.
Best of luck"
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
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" Originally Posted by: Outland CC0
Just a thought, cruise over to your local High school and see if they have a metal/welding shop.....you might find what you want for dirt cheap.
Best of luck Schools out for the Summer here but we do have Vo-Tec that I know teaches a welding course and is close by to where the guy that has all the welding equipment. I'll call them Monday to see if they could help me out. Thanks for the tip."
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Rank: Guest
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Aluminum and copper have some unique heat conducting properties not found in most other metals including cast iron..steel..SS etc. If you want another diffuser thick aluminum would be the best and cheapest solution. You should be good to go without using a diffuser. Think the item be more user friendly to the hot plate folks. Be sure and do not run the boiler dry of liquid. That burn a hole in the bucket right quick. Best of fortunes on the project and kindly keeps us posted as events unfold.
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/27/2012(UTC)
Posts: 526
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Hi CC, you might consider turning the flame down on that burner. If your melting a diffusion plate your running your burner way to hot. I also believe aluminium distributes heat better than cast iron, but the frying pan should work fairly well, at least you will have something in between the heat source and your pot.
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