kal

Recipes 

Thanks for the heads up on the tubing, she had 4 listed and I think I got the last one.

Back on topic: I have a question about Blichmann boilermaker brew pots... I'm putting together a 100% electric 10gal setup using 15/15/20 gallon Blichmann pots. Where I'm a bit confused is the pot add-ons, and unfortunately which add-ons you get depends on the process you want to follow I suppose.

Does the following pot add-ons make sense?:

HLT: 15 gallon pot with no add-ons.
MLT: 15 gallon pot with the false bottom but not strainer (is there any reason to get a strainer here?)
BK: 20 gallon pot with the strainer but no false bottom (is there any reason to get a false bottom here?)

How I plan to use this:

HLT/MLT:

HERMS coil in the HLT from the MLT controlled by PID/pump, going out the bottom MLT valve. I don't see any reason to get the strainer in the MLT as it'll only get clogged up right? It's the grain bed that should be doing the filtering here as the sweet wort is circulated, held back slightly by the false bottom (right?).

BK:

My need: I want to try and keep the cold break out of the fermenter. I know it doesn't really make a difference but why not.

So because of this, I have to cool in the BK. Not sure if I'll go CFC or immersion but whichever I choose will use pump re-circulation (and whirlpooling). I'll make sure to *NOT* recirculate out the BK bottom valve as this'll clog up the screen based on what I've read above. I'll either punch a hole in the side or use drop-in copper lines.

So should I even bother with the screen in the BK at all? Or maybe go with the false bottom too or only the false bottom? Or nothing at all in the BK? This is the one that confuses me the most.

Kal

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korndog

Recipes 

John Blcihmann advises against using hte FB in the kettle. Sabco users use them all the time, but the construction is different.

The boil screen will clog very easily if you use a pump on it. Your external recirculation device sounds good, but the boil screen is not great in any case.

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"..can the human soul be glimpsed through a microscope? Maybe, but you'd definitely need one of those very good ones with two eyepieces."


Fermenter 1: Oktoberfest
Fermenter 2: Rye APA
Secondary: Old Stock Rye
Secondary: 8-8-8 RIS
Secondary: CJ's JPA
Drinking: Lakewalk

kal

Recipes 

Thanks! So does this mean you're recommending to only go with the dip tube in the BK? (Ie: no add-ons at all?)

Kal

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Webmaster: www.curtpalme.com | My bar/tap/kegging setup

korndog

Recipes 

No, not really. I have tried many configurations including no screen. This is the most frustrating part of my brewing sessions. No screen works ok if you use hop bags, but I have had problems with that configuration too. Hop bags, whirlpool and drain through dip tube with diverter has worked well.
Lately I have been reciruclating through a hopstopper and using an autosiphon to drain. My next try will be with an auxilliary recirculation device, probably thorugh a low drain with a filtered grant. It's a production for sure, but I have a feeling this will be the cats meow. I f i am thinking this thorugh, I should end up with a clean kettle that will drain easily through a screen.

__________________
"..can the human soul be glimpsed through a microscope? Maybe, but you'd definitely need one of those very good ones with two eyepieces."


Fermenter 1: Oktoberfest
Fermenter 2: Rye APA
Secondary: Old Stock Rye
Secondary: 8-8-8 RIS
Secondary: CJ's JPA
Drinking: Lakewalk

kal

Recipes 

Thanks. So I've decided to order the BK with the strainer anyway (it's not too expensive) just to be safe. I may or may not end up using it. MLT will only have the false bottom.

Kal

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Webmaster: www.curtpalme.com | My bar/tap/kegging setup

korndog

Recipes 

That's good. Actually the diverter that comes with the screen is useful on its own.

__________________
"..can the human soul be glimpsed through a microscope? Maybe, but you'd definitely need one of those very good ones with two eyepieces."


Fermenter 1: Oktoberfest
Fermenter 2: Rye APA
Secondary: Old Stock Rye
Secondary: 8-8-8 RIS
Secondary: CJ's JPA
Drinking: Lakewalk

nathan

Recipes 

it looks to me like the false bottom is different sizes based on pot size, but the strainer is probably the same regardless of size.

I just got my 20g blichmann (got it fully loaded, though I plan on using it as a MLT solely for now)

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fermenting: Show Mead, Bo Pils, Schwarzbier, altbier, cream ale, apfelwein mit Kirschen

kegerator 1: Nut Brown, RauchBier
my beer in brother's kegerator: doppelbock, apfelwein, bohemian pilsner, hefeweizen

bottles: smoked robust porter

kal

Recipes 

Correct. The strainers are all the same. The false bottoms are different.

Just ordered my 20/20/20 gallon Blichmann pot setup yesterday! (3 pots)

Kal

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Webmaster: www.curtpalme.com | My bar/tap/kegging setup

BrewBeemer

Recipes 

An early Me to Me X-mas present congrats you lucky dog.
I know what you'll be doing during those cold wet weekends.

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"Islander".....=o&o>.....