Cut keg top for false bottom?

**benbradford** · 08-24-2010, 02:39 AM

Here is an idea that I came up with today...

I have several old keg tops that are sitting doing nothing, and I thought that I might be able to modify them so they will act as a false bottom.

I trimmed teh old sanke coupler fitting off of the top of the keg top, and grinded it down smooth, so that I am left with essentially a concave disc, that is twelve inches around.

A rubber stopper fits perfectly into the new hole (is the stopper okay for mash temps?)

A copper pickup tube from the bulkhead, pushed throught the hole in the stopper after I enlarged the center hole. This moves all the way through the stopper to about 1/2 inch from bottom.

I took the angle grinder and cut small slits moving from the center of the disc to the edge. There are about 8 rows of slits, ten per row.

I will test this on wednesday, and see how this new false bottom works

**Brewmoor** · 08-24-2010, 04:25 AM

This is a great idea. Keep us posted on the result.

Another idea down that same road. If you didn't cut off the sanke neck. You could use a tri-clamp and cap. Drill the cap and insert your dip tube. Could decrease the chances of knocking out the stopper when you stir.

Displaced MassHole · 08-24-2010, 04:59 AM

This seems like one of those "why didn't I think of that" kind of things. It's so simple it has to work, and for the price who cares if it doesn't.

**Homercidal** · 08-24-2010, 03:58 PM

I have two tops sitting there from my kegs as well. I also thought about using them as false bottoms. My plan is to plasma cut the areas in between the "triangles" and spot weld some SS mesh that I got from the scrapyard over the top of it. I might decide to go with a coarser "prefilter" over that. Maybe something with larger holes. We'll see how the mesh works though. I anticipate it being so fine that it will get clogged though.

Then only have to fashion a hole for the dip tube to fit into in the center. Weld a piece of SS with a hole drilled in and whammo! Done.

So at the speed at which my projects get done, I anticipate this going into use sometime next month or so...

RDWHAHB · 08-24-2010, 04:13 PM

Great idea.

Homer-I would not suggest a "prefilter". That would just allow smaller particles through, which could pack tight and clog the smaller filter. With a filter, you want the holes about the size of median particle (grist) size. It holds those back, and it forms a natural filter. Smaller particles are expected to come through, at least until the natural filter develops (you recirculate until this happens). At least that is how you design ground water well screens. I admittedly have zero experience with false bottoms.

**Homercidal** · 08-24-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDWHAHB

Great idea.

Homer-I would not suggest a "prefilter". That would just allow smaller particles through, which could pack tight and clog the smaller filter. With a filter, you want the holes about the size of median particle (grist) size. It holds those back, and it forms a natural filter. Smaller particles are expected to come through, at least until the natural filter develops (you recirculate until this happens). At least that is how you design ground water well screens. I admittedly have zero experience with false bottoms.

Yeah, you may be right. I was not thinking about using it for a Mash tun. I was thinking for straining hops after the boil.

However, if I build my RIMS system, I would have to have a pump. And if I have a pump, I may change to recirculating my wort during the chill. Need to think about this some more.

**benbradford** · 08-26-2010, 05:20 AM

The flow on this thing couldnt be better...I am ready for my new pump, and the herms coil. It drains as fast as the boil kettle, even though it is through a grain bed, and filter. I probably lost about a half gallon in the mash tun, but it looks like for now the efficiency into the the boil was about 86%!

Here is a pic of the finished product. Cost about $5.00.

http://picasaweb.google.com/108488725530733315820/100CANON#5509530347857091442

bigbopper · 08-26-2010, 10:38 AM

thats kick a$$

Teufelhunden · 08-26-2010, 11:28 AM

Ben,
Thanks for the idea. I just cut my keg and still have the lid. Also, are those weld-less fittings?

**extra_medium** · 08-26-2010, 12:26 PM

best DIY project i have seen in a while. this onr will actually SAVE me money. i have been holding off on a false bottom since my cooler mash tun works, but now i can convert that extra sanke into a MT. awesome, just an awesome idea.