False bottom, manifold, s/s tube... What about s/s ball bearings? - Page 5

**Bobby_M** · 02-09-2012, 07:31 PM

I'm all for trying new things but my honest reaction to this is that it's probably the worst "false bottom" idea I've heard of. I know, bah humbug. I cringe every time I have to take my false bottom out of the tun to hose the grain off of it. That's one piece of stainless. If I had to juggle 10 pounds of ball bearings after every brew day, which will inevitably fall and roll all over the place, I'd probably drink the Budweiser cans that my wife insists on keeping in the fridge rather than brew. I guess I'm feeling especially cynical today.

kennett_brew · 02-09-2012, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby_M

I'm all for trying new things but my honest reaction to this is that it's probably the worst "false bottom" idea I've heard of. I know, bah humbug. I cringe every time I have to take my false bottom out of the tun to hose the grain off of it. That's one piece of stainless. If I had to juggle 10 pounds of ball bearings after every brew day, which will inevitably fall and roll all over the place, I'd probably drink the Budweiser cans that my wife insists on keeping in the fridge rather than brew. I guess I'm feeling especially cynical today.

Kingfish · 02-09-2012, 08:44 PM

Sounds like a fantastic idea. I really like the pebble idea. I only brew about once a month so taking 10 minutes to clean pebbles is no big deal.

weaselchew · 02-09-2012, 08:52 PM

I don't know that I'd use marbles / ball bearings where I could easily buy a single piece false bottom, but I could see valid uses for them.

My tun has a 6" round opening at the top and the bottom where the false bottom would go is 12" round, so at best, I'd have to cut a false bottom in half to fit it in. Plus I don't think the shape is a perfect circle, so I'd probably have gaps along the edges.

Pulling a nylon bag full of marbles/ball bearings out,dropping it in a bucket of water, and pouring off the grain bits is probably not really any more difficult than disassembling a manifold to clean it.

**CollinsBrew** · 02-09-2012, 09:36 PM

Something else to think about would be the heat loss. That much stainless in the bottom of your tun would absorb a lot of heat initially. Easily remedied by pre-heating I guess or raising the temp of your strike water. I'm working on a direct fired system and am wondering if this would make the temperature control of my mash easier are harder. I already have a false bottom so for me, it's all hypothetical.

Punx Clever · 02-09-2012, 10:01 PM

The additional thermal mass would stabilize the mash temperatures... or at least thats my SWAG as an engineer.

**Bobby_M** · 02-10-2012, 03:40 AM

You'd have to use 1/8" balls for it to work as any kind of filter for grist and then you'd need another screen on the outlet to keep the balls from getting into the drain. Seriously, I have to wonder if the people encouraging you to do this are sincere or trolling you.

acefaser · 02-10-2012, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby_M

You'd have to use 1/8" balls for it to work as any kind of filter for grist and then you'd need another screen on the outlet to keep the balls from getting into the drain. Seriously, I have to wonder if the people encouraging you to do this are sincere or trolling you.

I would be willing to bet 3" of 3/8" marbles would do the trick. If i had some marbles I would give it a try in my next brew. Might have to see if I can find some...

kennett_brew · 02-10-2012, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby_M

You'd have to use 1/8" balls for it to work as any kind of filter for grist and then you'd need another screen on the outlet to keep the balls from getting into the drain. Seriously, I have to wonder if the people encouraging you to do this are sincere or trolling you.

Thanks.. No worries I am more then aware I'll need larger diameter balls... I am thinking at least 1/2" to 3/4"...

Quick note to everyone reading...

Indeed, if my intended cooler were round, I would certainly go with the false bottom.. Given it's a rectangular cooler, false bottoms aren't an option unless one is custom built....

kennett_brew · 02-10-2012, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CollinsBrew

Something else to think about would be the heat loss. That much stainless in the bottom of your tun would absorb a lot of heat initially. Easily remedied by pre-heating I guess or raising the temp of your strike water. I'm working on a direct fired system and am wondering if this would make the temperature control of my mash easier are harder. I already have a false bottom so for me, it's all hypothetical.

Interesting... I would have had to learn the hard way on the temp loss.. Agreed.. Almost need to run some water from the HLT through to preheat then drain, mash in.....

Good call!