SL Pan Plugs - Cheaper Option

[littleTapper]

Noticed these on their site a while back and couldn't stomach the price. Yikes.

https://www.smokylakemaple.com/product/plug-with-handle/

Can find the same silicone plugs for very cheap. Just get the right size for what you need.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018H1G72S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Then one just needs some stainless mending braces and a couple stainless wood screws.
https://www.menards.com/main/hardware/utility-hardware/corner-flat-braces/national-hardware-reg-stainless-steel-mending-brace-2-count/n348-375/p-1444448936017-c-9700.htm

They do work very well for holding a gradient after shutting down. No taking nearup off the pan and adding back when starting. Get it to a near boil and pull the plugs out when you fire up and the gradient is pretty much set.

[darkmachine]

I just started using a 1/2" elbow with some food grade tubing to make a "L" shaped plug to block off my float box so i can drain it between boils. Doesn't matter that its hollow because one end goes into the hole snug and the other end is above the level of the pan, easy peasy.

[Bricklayer]

I have 8 of those that came with my evaporator. I will Probley never use them. Every port on the evaporator has a valve. So only time I would ever use one is if I had to take the valve off or the fitting off the pan.
They are way to small to use as a plug in any of the dividers in the pans.