replacement tap for (fairly new) Burco

[Deeko99]

Hi Everyone

A few years ago I purchased a (nearly new) Burco for use as a HLT.

It has served me well over the years but has one niggly problem: the tap. I find it tediously slow and pretty much useless for filling my mash tun (I end up having to scoop hot water out with a jug - not ideal). I was hoping to change the tap and so removed it today for a look. Unfortunately it seems to have a funny shapped fitting and not the circular hole I was expecting. Does anyone know of a replacement tap that can directly fit into this which will give a better flow rate? I don't really fancy cutting in to my shiny stainless steel.

Pictures at links below:

http://imgur.com/zY5PEkU
http://imgur.com/b1ZJhFY

Thanks in advance.

[Dads_Ale]

With a plastic tap you should be able to file down the thread to create the flats. You would have to make sure though that the overall diameter is correct and that any filing does not go into the body go the tap.
Not familiar with burro boilers but I have a boiler with a similar looking tap (without the flats) and it is smaller diameter thread than normal ones.

[Dave S]

I'd be inclined to get hold of a 21 mm QMax cutter and fit a half inch ball valve, 2 piece or 3 piece.

[Jonnyconga]

I did exactly this. Got an old burro that didn't have a tap and go fitted a new one. Just bought a bulkhead fitting and a levered water plumbing tap (can't remember the name of this) and some chunky fibre and metal washers. I made sure the washers were big enough , bunged on a load of ptfe tape and tightened up and it works great. Good flow and doesn't leak... Yet..

[lord groan]

I'm with Dave S on this. Sorry that it really doesn't answer your question but I was in a smilar position, rubbish tap on my burco HLT, couldn't find a decent replacement, decided to plug the existing tap hole with a flanged plug on the inside held in place by a backnut on the outside. Then did the 21mm qmax thing, it cut a beautiful hole in the bottom and another in the skirt, see pic


Tank connector> elbowed copper tube> lever tap. I've now got a bottom draining HLT, faster flow, much better tap. Ignore the 'T' piece in the pic, that got removed.
DOWNSIDE - Never let the water drop below the element while its switched on or it'll burn out. I should really fit a float valve to kill the power when the tank empties, just another improvement i'll get around to eventually!

[Deeko99]

Thanks everyone for your ideas.

I've just taken the ball valve off of my mash tun (half inch 316).

http://www.brewuk.co.uk/equipment/ag-eq ... h-tun.html

And it seems just able to cover the hole without any cutting with careful positioning of the washers.

So I think I might buy an extra one and fit it to my boiler - can someone point me in the best direction for the best deal? I plan to use the Burco as a HLT so don;t need any fancy attachments. Can i also assume I need differnt types of washers due to the heat produced? I'd imagine standard rubber ones would disintegrate over time.

Thanks

[Jonnyconga]

This is what I did. - the washer is too big on the outside but it doesn't leak so I don't want to mess with it. Only issue - it needs to be tipped to empty the last 4-5L - quite annoyingly!

I love the solution with a hole in the bottom - might do that next...!!

[burrito]

I did something similar, a tank connector, a socket, and a ball valve. And have since changed plastic washers to some cut from a silicone baking sheet.