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I'm thinking of a new Cheese vat for my new cheese room.
I've been eyeing the some of the Steam Kettles that are out there.
Like this.


I know they are built for steam, but I'm pretty sure I could rig one for hot water too.
The diffiuculty in my opinion would be temp control.  But I think that's solvable.  Not sure how exactly, but my spidey senses tell me I can get past temp control,

So, thoughts?

Why not go for a contained steam unit? If you're doing water, I assume you're going to recirculate it to an instant water heater, right? Or are you going to rig up a small element on the side, and pump water through it in a contained system?

I'm not closing the door on any option.
Steam, or recirculated water. 
Not as familiar with steam generators.

Right, so there are a few options. One, you can go for a simple tank. Has connectors, jacket, and usually tilt (get the tilted one). They're cheap, $600 or less used in good shape. Two, you can go for a unit that's self contained and had either a gas burner or electric elements and is all set up. Those tend to be stationary, although there are some tilt ones. Cleveland, Groen, etc all make versions.

If you go with the straight tank, you need to provide your own steam generator or recirc water. And if you do that, water is easier and arguably safer. With water, you can go a few routes. One, you can put in a shutoff and inline on-demand pump to a central water heater, and rig it to a relay to switch on based on a thermocouple PID controller. Or two, you can make a small (size it for your vat volume) box that houses your heating element, and rig it up to a small pump and PID controller. The latter is a bit of work because you need to fab with preferably sanitary welds, and you need a way to mount the assembly nearby so that you can have a convenient way to control temp.

i have several jacketed kettles for sale here in NC. don't use them or realy need them. reasonably cheap. don't know where you are. vic

Wayne your certainly are expanding,
Are the large (for home makers) batchs you do serve your single house hold?

Btw you might be able to dual purpose a steamer for barrel\tank sanitation or maybe rig a winery steamer with a PID controled valve to control the cheese vat temp.
Not sure which option is more cost effective.

Quote from: Tomer1 on September 12, 2011, 07:45:48 PM
Wayne your certainly are expanding,
Are the large (for home makers) batchs you do serve your single house hold?

Actually, I have a 25 gallon vat now.  So, from a size perspective, it will be about the same size.
this is more of a reflection of operational ease.  The tilt is attractive, and the fact that I can get by with a much smaller water bath is also very attractive. Right now, I have a water bath that is about 100gallons.  Way over-built.

so, this is not so much about expansion, as it is about efficiency and streamlining.

Aw, the chains in the dungeon are probably going away then, right?

Good to move forward, but it just doesn't have the same panache!

Quote from: MrsKK on September 13, 2011, 12:53:54 AM
Aw, the chains in the dungeon are probably going away then, right?

Good to move forward, but it just doesn't have the same panache!

Wayne, we'll miss the medieval touch you brought to cheese making!  Sigh....

-Boofer-

If you have the option, go with Steam. Especially if you do many Thermo style cheeses. Parm etc. Steam gives you the ability to get temps up faster and hold steady with little input. With the capability to do Steam, you can usually do Hot water as well, the inverse is not always true

What is recommended from a home steam generator perspective?

My wife and I would prefer it if we could avoid blowing up the basement with some kind of steam/boiler explosion.

I support coffee joe's thinking.  Besides, most steam units have shutoffs and pressure reliefs built in, so blow ups aren't very likely.

Here is a system I'm looking at. Sounds almost too good to be true but ...


http://www.infinityfluids.com/instant_steam.htm

Looking at the spec sheets, most of those are either 3 phase or 480 volts and may not work in the average home setup. Do you have prices on these Joe?

Sailor, I saw that too.

I just replaced my panel with 200amp, single phase service.

Best I can do, is 50amp, 220v single phase. (maxing out my electrical skills here...)