Water Butt

[Guzluka]

Going to all grain after quite a few successful extract brews over the last 8 months. Have now built a mash tun and and hlt but am gonna build a boiler. Is there any reason why I cant use a water butt? The tap is already fitted so I only need to add the kettle element+they are a lot more hardy than a standard youngs bucket so with probably last longer.

Any ideas guys?

[crowds]

I would imagine it depends on what type of plastic it's made from. And if it can withstand the heat.

Is it marked with anything like HDPE ?

I think if it's marked with a recycling code of 2 then it's ok... I think
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_recycling

[boingy]

Does a "code 2" mean it is food grade or is it just a reflection of the material?
I'd be a bit worried about bad chemical stuff leeching out of the plastic.

[crowds]

That's a good point. Might be a little risky.
It says that among other things it is used for

Water pipes, Hula-Hoop (children's game) rings, Milk, juice and water bottles; the occasional shampoo / toiletry bottle

But I think it just means it's made out of High-density polyethylene and as such is better sited to withstand tempratures

I was talking to my lhb shop the other week explaining that I had made my boiler but wasn't sure if it would melt or have some other kind of disaster mid boil.
I enquired about the boilers they had in the shop and asked if they sold spares for it, namely the the actual bucket itself. She called up the supplier (ritchies) and they said yes and could even add an extra hole so I could put both my tesco elements in.
The cost was just under £12...
It cost me more for my blue foodgrade tub from ebay !!!!

Get to your nearest homebrew shop and ask about spares. Might be best to make out you have the boiler but the tub is damaged. Afterall they would rather sell you the whole thing and make a lot more cash.