Vat Depth

[wharris]

Doing some research.
How deep is your cheese vat?

For example,
My 5 gallon cheese vat is 10.5in deep.

My 24 gallon cheese vat is 20in deep.

Everyone else?

[smilingcalico]

My 2 gallon vat is 9 inches deep. The 400 gallon vat is 24 inches deep.

[pliezar (Ian)]

My 14 Litre Vat is 5 inches deep, but it is also an electric roaster.

[ArnaudForestier]

Wayne, my 6.5 gallon stockpot is 12" deep.  Like Pliezar, I also use an 18-qt turkey roaster that is 5" deep.

You've itched the curiosity demon, as I know whatever you're doing is going to be crafty.  What are you up to?

[wharris]

Wayne, my 6.5 gallon stockpot is 12" deep.  Like Pliezar, I also use an 18-qt turkey roaster that is 5" deep.

You've itched the curiosity demon, as I know whatever you're doing is going to be crafty.  What are you up to?

Well, my conversation with you prompted me to gear up slightly to make a respectable  horizontal curd knife.
I figured, well, while I am making one, I could just as easily make more.

My prototype is a simple, all stainless (316L) knife.  4.5 inches wide, and 12 in deep. With a HDPE plastic handle.

But those dimensions are pretty changeable.

[wharris]

My 2 gallon vat is 9 inches deep. The 400 gallon vat is 24 inches deep.

400? Holy Buckets. 
That's 800-1200 bucks a 'make'

I assume you are selling some.

[ArnaudForestier]

Wayne, my 6.5 gallon stockpot is 12" deep.  Like Pliezar, I also use an 18-qt turkey roaster that is 5" deep.

You've itched the curiosity demon, as I know whatever you're doing is going to be crafty.  What are you up to?

Well, my conversation with you prompted me to gear up slightly to make a respectable  horizontal curd knife.
I figured, well, while I am making one, I could just as easily make more.

My prototype is a simple, all stainless (316L) knife.  4.5 inches wide, and 12 in deep. With a HDPE plastic handle.

But those dimensions are pretty changeable.

Hahah - knew you were up to something.  I'm still wrestling with trying to build a harp on the "Swiss" plan, or your thing...though your thing makes much better sense, I think, unless I've got a copper cauldron.  Holding a herd's milking.  Over an open fire.  In a mountain chalet.

Hmmm...think I need to stop dithering and just do it.

[smilingcalico]

Yes, selling some. It's a raw milk Gouda. The vat is like the one Oude has, but it's 40-50 years old.

[sstrantz]

Please let us know as soon as you have that curd cutter made!!!!!  I've wanted one forever!!!!

(And, so far, my largest pot is a 5.5 gal stock pot but I'd like to be able to use it in a 3 gal and 2 gal pot also, if possible!)

[9mmruger]

I would like to be able to do 4 gal batches as well, but due to the narrowness of my kitchen sink I can only get my 12 quart stock pot into it and have room for a water bath.  When I do a 3 gal batch I am so near the top it is hard to stir even gently.  I am seriously considering buying on of those temp adjusting contraptions to plug my 22 quart Rival cooker into.  Around $160.00 shipped.  Yikes.  Dreaming of the future.

[mikeradio]

I am in for one as well.

Mike

[wharris]

I am in for one as well.

Mike

I'm not quite ready for orders, but hypothetically, how deep is your vat?

[ArnaudForestier]

Sorry, Wayne, I misunderstood (obtuse, yes, I know) - are you building these for sale?

[wharris]

lol
Eventually yes.
I was being intentionally vague.

Still a bit premature. Still working through basic milling issues. (316L steel is really HARD steel!)
But when I find the right drills, drill speed, cutting speed, I will be off to the races, and pumping these out. I almost have it right...

Right now, I feel like I am keeping the world safe from drill bits, by killing as many of them as humanly possible.

When I get a couple finished, I will post pictures.
Right now, I only have 2 prototypes done.

[Sailor Con Queso]

My 40 gallon stainless pot is 24" w x 23-1/2" deep.

Yes, I am actually in the pot. My grown daughter can curl up inside with the lid on. I'm not that limber anymore.