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use the seal that is already on the kettle. it should be a little flanged rubber thing that just sits over the hole if you've cut it the right size.I just reinstalled the element in the bucket exactly as it had been in the kettle and it never leaked. For the tap, use an o-ring on the inside, and make a rubber washer from a cheap silicon baking sheet (you can get them in TK maxx or some such place, dunnes maybe) and they're very useful, being food grade silicon. you can cut washers and what not from them.

"RichieH":3f53oicg wrote: For the tap, use an o-ring on the inside, and make a rubber washer from a cheap silicon baking sheet (you can get them in TK maxx or some such place, dunnes maybe) and they're very useful, being food grade silicon. you can cut washers and what not from them.[/quote:3f53oicg]
Good idea on the silicon baking sheet.

"marceldesailly":3f53oicg wrote: it's not too difficult to do this.[/quote:3f53oicg]
Yeah it doesn't seem difficult at all, plus I have a background in plumbing (I'm not a plumber though) and the first possible difficulty that sprung to mind was with the seal. Ideally it'd be on a flat surface but as Richie said he didn't have any trouble so I'll definitely give this a go.

"marceldesailly":3f53oicg wrote: you will be better off getting a bigger vessel to use as a boiler.maybe the 33litre fermenter.[/quote:3f53oicg]
I'm only starting off so a 33 litre might be too big for my needs but it's definitely something to consider

"Atticus":jw5viqa2 wrote: I'm only starting off so a 33 litre might be too big for my needs but it's definitely something to consider[/quote:jw5viqa2]

you can boil less in a bigger boiler but unfortunately you can't boil more in a small boiler! <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->
it might end up being a false economy (not just in money but time too) to build a smaller boiler. but i suppose you could then use it a HLT when you decide on a bigger boiler. the larger volume isn't just for the amount you can get in to it but also to reduce risk of boil overs

&amp;quot;RichieH&amp;quot;:19xnsvcx wrote: It should be a little flanged rubber thing that just sits over the hole if you've cut it the right size.[/quote:19xnsvcx]
Richie, what size hole did you cut? Looks like about 29mm to me (argos kettle) and what did you use to cut the hole? hole saw bit, spade bit, something else..?
Cheers.

I measured the hole on the kettle that the seal had just come out of, then I drew that hole with a compass, then I cut very carefully freehand with a craft knife. If you take it easy and cut very steadily it takes about 3 passes. you just have to make sure not to shoot off in one direction so don't try to cut too deep straight away. Hole saw probably easier but I didn't have one handy. You can clean up a hole saw with sand paper or a craftknife after

Ah cool, thanks. I wouldn't have thought of that - I was assuming I needed more horsepower. Cheers!