Newest Threads

resslerk · 02-25-2011, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio-Ed

I'm asking this without having read the entire thread thouroughly, so you may have already answered it.

Instead of adding your "top off" water to the BK, couldn't you add it to the MT and continue to drain from the MT to the BK to get a few extra points?

Ed

I do it the way I currently am so that I more accurately control the volume in my BK but that is a very valid point. I do monitor the progress of the mash via gravity readings, so I know I'm not missing out on too much. Also, lately I've been trying a 2nd runnings and making a second beer... so any remaining sugars are not wasted.

resslerk · 02-25-2011, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RegionalChaos

So you are just topping off, that makes sense, I've thought about that too. Dumping grains seems easy enough clean up wise, but the BK will have the coil in it, and I don't want to have to chase loose hops around the coil... Maybe I should try a hop sack kinda thing I see people doing with it. Thanks for describing this, it clears up the process a bit. I need to decide if I'm OK with not sparging I guess.. That seems to be the big factor for me.

Cleanup really isn't difficult, just use a small shop vac. I have one that I only use on my brewery, so i know it is relatively clean.

brboland · 05-05-2011, 03:15 PM

I have been thinking about a similar setup but use my current mlt (cooler conversion) as a sparge tank. I am concerned that the 2000w element will no he enough to boil 6+ gallons to get a full 5 gallon batch though. What is the most you have gotten to boil on this rig?

resslerk · 07-16-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brboland

I have been thinking about a similar setup but use my current mlt (cooler conversion) as a sparge tank. I am concerned that the 2000w element will no he enough to boil 6+ gallons to get a full 5 gallon batch though. What is the most you have gotten to boil on this rig?

I get just over 5 gallons of finished wort. I have no trouble boiling my full kettles, even in the winter. Since I brew outside if I want to speed it up, I loosely wrap a couple towels around the kettles to insulate them. In the spring or summer those aren't needed.

nspaldi0 · 07-18-2011, 01:16 AM

Do you have extensive electrical knowledge? I really want to put together a system like this for the winter, but I have zero electrical knowledge.

resslerk · 07-19-2011, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nspaldi0

Do you have extensive electrical knowledge? I really want to put together a system like this for the winter, but I have zero electrical knowledge.

I don't have extensive electrical knowledge, just lurked around the forum for a few months, grabbed some ideas, put them together, and this is what I came up with.

I like how simple it is, yet fully featured all grain.

nspaldi0 · 07-22-2011, 04:22 PM

Do you have a wiring diagram? So, I usually do 5.5 gallon batches to result in a full five gallons at end of ferment. Can you get this final volume from the kettle or do you top off?

resslerk · 07-23-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nspaldi0

Do you have a wiring diagram? So, I usually do 5.5 gallon batches to result in a full five gallons at end of ferment. Can you get this final volume from the kettle or do you top off?

I do not have a wiring diagram, but there are plenty on this forum. Just search around until you find what you need.

I do NOT top off, I get full boil volume including what is lost in my kettles.

**cheezydemon3** · 07-23-2011, 01:17 PM

Is the cart plastic?

_max_POWER · 07-23-2011, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by resslerk

Northern Tool, they stock them in the stores. I shopped around a lot and this one was the correct dimensions to work with my Polarware kettles. Plus plastic is a heck of a lot easier to cut than stainless!!!

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200344167_200344167

And yes, no sparge, just continuous recirculation. Usually I do about 60 minutes at 152-154, then ramp up to 170 over a 15 minute period and transfer to the BK. Seems to be working good for me.

here you go cheezy.

resslerk i absolutely LOVE this system. any way you could take some 360* pics so we can see how you have everything plumbed up? maybe a crude diagram?
thanks for sharing this beauty with us!