- Jan 28, 2013
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Hello everyone. This is my first post on your wonderful website. I wanted to share some info and pics of a scalder that we recently built to make our butchering process smoother. This is a fairly simple design that doesn't require nearly as much $$ as the nice commercial units.
I started with a 23" round x 4' high stainless tank found on Craigslist. The hot water heater scalders aren't big enough to fit turkeys in, so I had to go bigger. The tank already had a handle with wheels(like a dolly) and a drain valve on the bottom.
http://imageshack.us/a/img210/1959/imageetoe.jpg
The water is heated by 2 4500 watt heating elements mounted to the bottom of the tank.
http://imageshack.us/a/img201/986/imagewhw.jpg
The water temp is maintained by means of this ETC(electronic temp controller) and a contactor(to carry the load) which acts like a relay. The ETC will turn the elements off at 150F + - 1 degree.
http://imageshack.us/a/img832/8100/imagebatf.jpg
The ETC has a temp probe that is mounted inside of a bulb well(like a dry well), which is attached to the tank wall
http://imageshack.us/a/img441/5676/imagedeck.jpg
The box that has the electronics inside is weathertight. A simple switch on the side controls power to the unit
http://imageshack.us/a/img4/9763/imagekypq.jpg
I have a stainless mesh screen that sits on the bottom of the tank a few inches above the elements. This protects the elements from any damage.
http://imageshack.us/a/img801/3057/imagehla.jpg
So that's pretty much it. The whole project ended up costing me about $450. I priced new ones at over $1000. What does everyone think? I'd like to hear from the experts on this forum. Thanks.
Matt
I started with a 23" round x 4' high stainless tank found on Craigslist. The hot water heater scalders aren't big enough to fit turkeys in, so I had to go bigger. The tank already had a handle with wheels(like a dolly) and a drain valve on the bottom.
http://imageshack.us/a/img210/1959/imageetoe.jpg
The water is heated by 2 4500 watt heating elements mounted to the bottom of the tank.
http://imageshack.us/a/img201/986/imagewhw.jpg
The water temp is maintained by means of this ETC(electronic temp controller) and a contactor(to carry the load) which acts like a relay. The ETC will turn the elements off at 150F + - 1 degree.
http://imageshack.us/a/img832/8100/imagebatf.jpg
The ETC has a temp probe that is mounted inside of a bulb well(like a dry well), which is attached to the tank wall
http://imageshack.us/a/img441/5676/imagedeck.jpg
The box that has the electronics inside is weathertight. A simple switch on the side controls power to the unit
http://imageshack.us/a/img4/9763/imagekypq.jpg
I have a stainless mesh screen that sits on the bottom of the tank a few inches above the elements. This protects the elements from any damage.
http://imageshack.us/a/img801/3057/imagehla.jpg
So that's pretty much it. The whole project ended up costing me about $450. I priced new ones at over $1000. What does everyone think? I'd like to hear from the experts on this forum. Thanks.
Matt
