Blichmann Top Tier: Reviews, Pics, Tips, etc.

[mickp]

Thanks again bobby. I emailed the guys at high Gravity and they sent me two documents within about 10 minutes! I'm thinking I'll go this way; start out with a non HERMs electric system, basically replacing the burners with elements. Then I can easily upgrade to herms later. Since I need one more pot plus a 220v supply, I'm likely to be spending around $1400, including the TopTier. Hope to have it fired up by January, maybe Christmas if I'm lucky.

thanks for the info!

[bobbytuck]

Good luck. It's great to brew electric -- much more convenient than propane!

[mickp]

So my Toptier arrived today, along with the 15 gallon boilermaker pot and the pump (I got one of the chugger pumps), Hopefully the elements will arrive before the weekend, then I can start the construction process. The solidity of the toptier is already apparent, just from hauling the boxes up the stairs! The controller came from High Gravity earlier in the week. Now all I need is the 220V supply and to win the "brew with the asshats" contest.

[richkev]

If you get the chance, try to post some pics and updates, as you go along. I've been following this thread and am seriously considering going electric with a Top Tier, also. I appreciate all the great ideas you guys are coming up with.

[bobbytuck]

This isn't news or anything, but one bit of advice I can give -- due to my own inattention last month -- is always, always, always keep those heating elements submerged. I was messing around with my new HopRocket -- attempting to get the wort flowing at a better rate through one of my pumps -- and didn't realize the wort was actually a bit below the element and the element was exposed (which sits at the 3 gallon mark or so in my 15 gallon boil kettle). Fortunately, the element was still coated with wort and quickly startled sizzling -- the sugar burning with that distinctive smell -- and I shut it off. It was fine -- just scorched black from the burning sugar -- but I know that if I'd waited a few more seconds it would have burned itself out.

Anyway, that was my only potential issue. I'm not brewing over the winter (it's brutal right now here in Chicago), but after 26 brews this spring and summer, the eHERMS on the TopTier worked great!

[Spurtrax]

Has anyone ever had any problems with wort carmilization or wierd flavors with having the heating element inside of their brew pot? Is there a way to build a large burner instead?

[bobbytuck]

Has anyone ever had any problems with wort carmilization or wierd flavors with having the heating element inside of their brew pot? Is there a way to build a large burner instead?

Nope -- and I use a 5500W element in my boil kettle. I don't crank it 100% -- evaporation rate would be insane -- but I *do* crank it to get it to a boil and then drop it down a few notches to get a vigorous -- and I mean vigorous -- boil. Never ever carmelization issues. The lightest beer I made with my system was a Kolsch. It was fantastic -- no weird, off flavors or out-of-style dark colors despite the massive boil. It was my usual 7.5 gallons boiled down to 6 in about 60 mins.

[mickp]

I'm hoping to at least start putting it together on Sunday and will take pics etc. I'm actually waiting on the elements still, but was able to order the hopstopper now that the pot is here. The whole thing may take me a week, as I have to wire in the 220 and probably only have one day this weekend.
I did have one more question for ya bobbyT...

Can you describe where in the kettle and HLT you have the elements positioned. High Gravity said about 4 inches from the bottom and at about "10:30" if the spigot is at 6 o'clock. Is this where yours are at? Did you set up the toptier first, then decide on the element position?

I'm probably most nervous about drilling a hole in my shiny new Blichmann pot. I have a step bit. I will use tape to get started, then I think I've read to "go slow and lubricate" Will do this step before drinking.