Add port to stainless brew bucket?

[EChrisDenney]

I have, and love, an Anvil brew bucket. Only thing is, I really wish I had a sampling port. Has anybody added ports to their stainless fermenters? Curious how they went about it.

I have a 13/16” and 1/2” GreenLee punch but wasn’t sure what kind of fittings I should use to keep everything clean and sanitized.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jimmayhugh]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/soldering-stainless-steel.155782/

Long thread, but great info. Started adding tri-clovers to all of my equipment years ago, have never looked back...

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

I have, and love, an Anvil brew bucket. Only thing is, I really wish I had a sampling port. Has anybody added ports to their stainless fermenters? Curious how they went about it.

I have a 13/16” and 1/2” GreenLee punch but wasn’t sure what kind of fittings I should use to keep everything clean and sanitized.

Thanks in advance!

I added stainless steel weldless bulkhead fittings for valves, thermowells and Co2 posts. All that's needed is a 3/8 variable speed drill, 3/16 inch metal bit, a step drill bit and some vegetable spray oil like PAM.

 

[mabrungard]

I highly recommend using the silver-soldered, swaged fittings if you can find one in the size you want. Silver solder is very strong and can't melt in a kettle with wort in it. The swaged contact area between the fitting and the vessel creates a large soldering area and it is strong. While you can't beat the hell out of the fitting like you could if it were welded stainless, it is a construction method that regular people can perform.

Oh, when the soldering is done properly and the internal gap is filled with molten solder, it will be very resistant to hiding any residue or organisms.