Re: Brew system pics

Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:06 am

I use this 1000W bucket heater to heat my mash water/sparge water:
http://www.kyhorse.com/store/equipment/bucketheater.htm
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Hooked up to a timer, I have 8 gallons at about 175 degrees when I wake up. Heats up sparge water during the mash. I've also stirred the mash with it to jack the temp up a few degrees. I think I paid about $25.
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Re: Brew system pics

Sat Nov 14, 2009 8:45 am

OK, I'll share....

The basis for my brew sculpture design is from Robert A. Haskell's "Brewery Construction Guide" at http://breweryconstructionguide.com/index.html. I modified his design it so that it 1) is all on one level, 2) accommodates 15-gallon Polarware pots vice keggles, and 3) use a lot more plumbing (and 3 March pumps) in order to move water and wort around - I can pump liquids from any kettle to any kettle... I can even set it up so that it pumps HLT-MT/MT-BK/BK-HLT continuously, while simultaneously heating the contents as they pass through the HLT and BK.

I also use a switchable low-pressure regulator that senses when one LP tank runs dry, switching to the other tank without losing the flame - that lets me swap out an empty LP tank in the middle of the brew session (if needed). The regulator then sends propane to both Hurricane burners (HLT and BK).

As you can imagine - that first day was a bit nerve-racking. Here I was, kicking off two 60,000 BTU burners mounted on a wooden frame!!! I was preparing my excuses in case the Fire Department had to respond! No need... the heat shields held!

Next up - I have 5, count 'em, 5 Omega CN9000A PIDs that I want to incorporate into the system in order to automate some of the processes, primarily adding the ability to step-mash using a RIMS/Heat Exchanger. I also have an Omega pH controller that I'll set up to monitor the pH of the wort during the sparge, cutting off power to the pump if it rises above 5.3 or so.

I just brewed my 12th batch on it last Wednesday (Veterans Day), and so I'm still dialing it in... but I'm already drinking a Koelsch and an Altbier that I brewed on it, and it seems to work just PERFECTLY!

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On-On!!

"Namako"
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Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

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Re: Brew system pics

Sat Nov 14, 2009 9:12 am

OK, I can brew... but I can't post...

Here's my LAST attempt before asking for help!! ;)

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On-On!!

"Namako"
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Re: Brew system pics

Sat Nov 14, 2009 9:30 am

You have to put IMG tags around actual images (.jpgs, .gifs, etc) - not URL tags arounds links to the pages with the images on them. I fixed it for you.

Nice rig. A bit HUGE (you must not be married), and over engineered - but why not? Keep those non-brewers mystified! I like the auto sensing regulator deal.


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Re: Brew system pics

Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:16 am

Dude!! Thanks for holding my hand! ;)

As for being married; yeah, I am... but she loves beer too!

As for being over-engineered.... I've spent most of my professional career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and we over-engineer EVERYTHING!! ;)
On-On!!

"Namako"
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Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

"Indecision may or may not be my problem"
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Re: Brew system pics

Sat Nov 14, 2009 7:58 pm

Sheen wrote:I use this 1000W bucket heater to heat my mash water/sparge water:
http://www.kyhorse.com/store/equipment/bucketheater.htm
Image
Hooked up to a timer, I have 8 gallons at about 175 degrees when I wake up. Heats up sparge water during the mash. I've also stirred the mash with it to jack the temp up a few degrees. I think I paid about $25.


How long does it take to reach strike temps? What kind of timer do you use that can handle the wattage?

This one in the 31" model is 1300 watts and should work in a Keggle.

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$59.00 shipped. Like a heat-stick I don't have to make.
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Re: Brew system pics

Sun Nov 15, 2009 5:35 pm

Namako wrote:I've spent most of my professional career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and we over-engineer EVERYTHING!

ACE! Right on! I love you guys in a purely heterosexual way.

Here's my weird brewing contraption. It's changed a bit since Milo ragged my ass about burning the (non-existent) wife's cabinets earlier in the year*.

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This is the 10 gal config. The two 42 qt Polarware pots on the grill stand are both HLTs, the Blichmann is the mash tun, and the keggle is the BK. This will change when my 15 gal electric HLT comes on line, prolly next month.

Charlie

*The rig is about 2 feet from the wall. The photo foreshortens distances. I didn't scorch a damn thing, and never have!
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Re: Brew system pics

Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:52 pm

Charlie wrote:*The rig is about 2 feet from the wall. The photo foreshortens distances. I didn't scorch a damn thing, and never have!


The next time I get my picture taken during a late night skinnydip, I'm going to blame foreshortening.


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