Cast Iron Turkey Fryer for making Ingots?

Looks like it might have potential.

Just remember how heavy lead is though. 11kg/liter is like 25lb/quart or 150lb for a 6 quart pot. The same pot of water is under 15lb. It's heavier than it looks until you get accustomed to it.

Beef it up if it looks like it needs it and you never want to fill a lead pot too full as the consequences of a spill can be pretty dire.
 
I have/use that exact fish fryer and use it for making ingots. I had/have plans to beef it up but for now it works well with 75+ pounds of lead in the pot. If you have it on a smooth flat surface it doesn't wobble but otherwise it can wobble a bit but not enough that i'm concerned. I've also stood on it and I'm at 225lbs, so it's plenty strong for small batches. I've never timed it but i would guess it can melt a 50-70lb batch in 25ish minutes.

EDIT: i bought the aluminum pot version for $50 but use a propane like tank cut in half with handles. I also forgot to mention i made a sheet metal wind guard for around the pot to focus more of the heat into the pot.
 
Of the 3 burners mentioned i would go with the browning one but with a different pot, don't use aluminum for melting lead.
 
I borrowed one the same as the Bass pro one from a friend this past summer. It melted lead all right but was slow. The burner is big enough but it is manufactured so it is too far from the base of the pot. I think it is purposely built this way so it doesn't burn through the light allum. pots people use for turkeys but for heavy cast iron lead pots you could snuggle the burner right up against the bottom without fear of burn-thu .

I didn't "modify" the one I had borrowed (for obvious reasons) but it could be easily done and have a very good lead cooker.

I ended up "modifying" an old tiger torch I had around and made my own base/burner that works very well...so well in fact you have to be very careful to not exceed the zinc melting point if using the "melt & sort "method.
 
Follow up question, as Im starting to look at the beefier bayou burners. they definitely have the frame strength, but the LP high pressure regulators go from 100,000 to 180,000 BTUs.

Am I correct in that while this level of heat would melt a pot in record time, would it not also be too much and melt any zinc ruining the pot?

For context: Bayou_Classic_KAB4_Banjo_Burner_p/kab4.htm

Any recomendation on what BTU range is optimal for boolit casters?
 
curseyou said:
Follow up question, as Im starting to look at the beefier bayou burners. they definitely have the frame strength, but the LP high pressure regulators go from 100,000 to 180,000 BTUs.

Am I correct in that while this level of heat would melt a pot in record time, would it not also be too much and melt any zinc ruining the pot?

For context: Bayou_Classic_KAB4_Banjo_Burner_p/kab4.htm

Any recomendation on what BTU range is optimal for boolit casters?
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I wouldn't worry too much about the weight, I've had 120 pounds on my turkey fryer and before that I stood on it to see if it would hold the weight. My turkey fryer will hold over 200 pounds
 
TSC has a fish fryer on sale today for $54.99 coupon code DEALS1D for that price.

h ttp://www.tscstores.com/10QT-PROPANE-FISH-FRYER-P15623.aspx

Price shows as $64.99 it's $54.99 after the code.
 
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My advice:
Weld a bottom pour spout if you are thinking about some serious volume melting.
Im not a welding expert but this might be tricky on cast iron.
and get a thermometer (or better a pid temperature controller with thermocouple) to see what temp you are at.

Build mine from a free propane cylinder.
if you are going this route then just flush it with water before you start cutting it open :)
 
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The problem with most of these turkey fryers is the burner is too far away from the pot. I lowered my pot an inch and cut the melt time in half.
 
I think you will discover what Jet and I did with the turkey cookers, just looking at the picture I would plan on having to modify a bit to get the burner snuggled up close to your pot or it will be painfully slow melting.
 
I have the same fryer and cast pot.the set works great for me I do 250+ pounds on a regular day.it can my weight so it's all good.payed about 60$ at cabelas can't go wrong.
 
I've found 3 perfectly functioning turkey fryers at the dump that only needed a 3 cent Oring to be fixed up. Old propane tanks are also free, and make dandy pots for lead. 1" square tube to beef up the legs and Robert's your mother's brother.
S
 
So I bought it. The burner looks really good and is the best part of the kit. The frame is sturdy enough, though I wish the welds were a little more thorough on the 4 arms that hold the pot. I think this can be worked with by using a wide pot like 14" or so.

You guys were right the burner needs to be adjusted up and the wind break supplied is useless. I"ll have to make one and figure a sturdy way to adjust the burner height.
 
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