Keg Lid and Tube. What to do?

[bubbabrewer]

I'm moving to a direct fired Keggle for my mash tun from a cooler so I have more room for grains. I'm looking for input about whether to go to false bottom or a braid or even a manifold. I already have a copper manifold I could modify and I have SS braid. False bottoms are a little expensive. I'm thinking about using the top of the keg that I cut off while making the keggle....gee it looks like a false bottom. Anybody ever seen that done?

It could also make a swell mixing device for the mash tun. Cut some blades, bend them and put a motor at the top. Stainless steel mixing fan.

[bubbabrewer]

By the way....I'm a batch sparger for now.

[Crut]

Bubba,
you can use the keg lid for sure. My buddies home system is built like that. He is now working for right brain brewery here in northern MI, but used his system like you want to for years and produced some phenomenal beers, and he batched sparged as well. Go for it, it cant hurt anything.-Crut

[Mylo]

I'm about to take that plunge myself. I think that the false bottom, although initally more expensive, will be well worth it in the long run. I couldn't imagine drilling a zillion f-ing holes in that keg top. A recipe for madness, for sure. BTW, I am a die hard fly sparger so take my opinion with a pinch of grain.

Mylo

[Petedadink]

Ive seen false bottoms made from keg lids. If your willing to spend the time rather than money then you will find it will look a little getto but the results will be just as good as a brand name false bottom.

[bubbabrewer]

The false bottom idea fizzeled when I started cutting slots in it. I decided on a Mash stirrer. I plan on makeing two and putting them on the same shaft.

[bigwave]

That looks pretty close to what I have been using for the last few years. I will try to post a pic sorry, never posted a pic.

I just have a cage made of per.SS at the bottom of the tube. It works pretty well, and I like the fact that I can stir the shit out of my mash grains without freakin out about grains gettin under anything and scorching. I put the false bottom in after the mash is done, right before sparging. The downside is that I have to siphon it out.

Maybe this will work to post the pic.

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq28 ... C_0176.jpg

dave

[bubbabrewer]

Instead of stirring, I'm going to try re-circulation. I'll keep the SS though.