Temperature for Steam Knife

[Ishi]

I am thinking of going to a Steam knife. Do you need a boiler or can you use hot water and re-circulate it? If so temperature is needed?

Thanks

[odfrank]

Our power uncapper uses steam heated by a pressure cooker. Your water would have to be well above 145 degrees to melt wax easily. Circulating very hot water would be more complex than just blowing steam.;)

[tecumseh]

likely more expensive and some additonal equipment (a one way valve, a circulating pump, and a return line, an expansion tank if you really wanted to do it right) would be required.

so what is the optimum temperature? you would think with steam the knife would be operating at something less that 212 degrees... right?

[Ishi]

odfrank;
Would you please expand on the pressure cooker. Is it heated on a stove or is it a boiler like a McKenna?

[odfrank]

It is actually not a pressure cooker for food preparation, but an old aluminum steam pot of some kind with several fittings for hoses and a pressure release valve. It is heated by a propane turkey cooker stand from Costco, and sits outside of our extracting room. The steam goes through a tube from the pot into the room and through the uncapper knives, and an exit tube vents the steam back outside. I will take a pic for you, don't know where to buy one. Kelley sells a similar pot for their steam knives.

[Ben Brewcat]

The valve on pressure cookers can usually be unscrewed easily enough and a barb adapter put in its place. For sure be careful with all the fittings, and if you use a longer run have the tubing on an incline (ending lower than the cooker), the condensing steam will flow out more easily rather than act as a barrier that has to be pushed along. Be sure to use temp-rated tubing.

Steam is great but wow does it burn, keep safety in mind!

[Ishi]

odfrank

I will look at Kelley’s catalog. Would like a pic when you have time. If you don’t want to post it to Beesource I will post my e- mail.



Ben saw what steam can do in a sawmill. You have to watch it.

[odfrank]

Steam pot maybe not sold anymore, I see that the new knives are electric.