No experience AG 10 gal 1 tier rig build help!!!

sanch · 10-04-2009, 11:55 PM

I have found my hobby! my favorite thing to do on the weekend is build stuff and better yet build stuff and drink beer so what better than brewin i am so excited to build this brewery i cant even contain myself. I have never brewed all grain and have only brewed half a dozen extract brews under my belt my last brew was so hectic i resolved to build a brewstand to help organize the madness. my previous stand was a few 8x8 timbers below my turkey fryer it was unstable and a pain in my a$$. i had an improvised keggle w/out valve and a poorly built wort chiller. i was on my own doing what i could, then i found home brew talk i have read every thread on this site, a plethora of information many sleepless nights and doodling and here's what i came up with if you see anything that could use improvement speak up i need all the help i can get!!!! i just picked up my valves and a bunch of fittings and have a meeting with the welder tomorrow. i built the stand a few weeks ago and NEED to get all the good stuff on asap so at least i can brew extract i plan on two pumps and hard lining everything, sight glasses the works!!! if any thing is worth doing right its a brewery,without further a due here it is!

**Darwin18** · 10-05-2009, 01:17 AM

I mean you no disrespect, but before you spend a lot of money on a brewing system, perhaps it would be beneficial to brew at least a few all grain batches first.

A cooler mashtun (with conversion kit), turkey fryer, and immersion chiller will cost around $150. You can do it a lot cheaper if you make some of the components on your own.

Sawdustguy · 10-05-2009, 01:35 AM

I wholly disagree with Darwin, there is no reason to spend money to find out if you like it and then spend money again to build what you want. A few words of warning on your stand. When you are using the right side burner get the bottle out form underneat it. I also am not fond having wood so close to the burner. Weld a couple of pieces to hold your middle keggle and lastly nix the piece of wood covering the middle of your rig. There will be alot of heat buildup in there.

Catt22 · 10-05-2009, 05:14 AM

What is the function of the kettle on the left with the perforated top? Also, you may want to plug the hole in the BK skirt just below the valve. A lot of heat will be coming out of that hole and it will most likely heat up the valve more than you would like. It's best to offset all fittings from the holes in the keg skirts. That's a lot of heavy steel for a brew stand. Do you know how much it weighs? Not that it matters as it's equipped with casters so you won't need to lift it. but it looks like it could support a small pickup truck no problem.

lehr · 10-05-2009, 11:12 AM

Hey people thought I was nuts when I built my rig and had never brewed before....I started brewing March 22 and have brewed 165 gallons since.
GO FOR IT.. Pat

Boerderij_Kabouter · 10-05-2009, 12:08 PM

I also disagree with Darwin. Don't waste money on cheap stuff. Your rig looks good and you will be able to tailor it however you want when you begin brewing and grow as a brewer.

I have a excel workbook with a lot of build info if y9ou want a copy PM me your email addy.

**passedpawn** · 10-05-2009, 12:59 PM

If this guy wants to build a sculpture right off the bat, more power to him. I'm all for that too.... however.... for new/prospective brewers that don't want to spend a lot of money, by all means use that cooler in the garage and ghetto the whole thing. It WILL make beer. No problem.

Sawdustguy · 10-05-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lehr

Hey people thought I was nuts when I built my rig and had never brewed before....I started brewing March 22 and have brewed 165 gallons since.
GO FOR IT.. Pat

I absolutely love your rig! It is one of the neatest, well thought out rigs I have ever seen.

lehr · 10-05-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawdustguy

I absolutely love your rig! It is one of the neatest, well thought out rigs I have ever seen.

Thanks I'm working on an eRIMS addition to it with another member on here hopefully it will be done sometime this month.

Pat

sanch · 10-06-2009, 03:05 AM

One of the greatest satisfactions in life is the joy that comes from something you made with your own two hands. That is why i brew, Besides that the challenges and problem solving are half the fun. Just ask lehr. As for the wood panels I wanted to incorporate wood in some way, but form follows function so they are going to be removed. One is already gone, only slightly charred. They will be replaced with stainless panels or aluminum diamond plate,along with a stainless top. The mlt is not fired but will have a steam manifold powered by a modified pressure cooker below. The 2x4s bellow the mlt are temporary. It will be suspended by the verticals beside it on a pivot to dump out the waste, the pivot point will double as the in and possibly the out for the mlt, if the dip tube isn't to long i haven't laid out the mlt yet i am still looking for a rubberized keg and need to test how much waste is created by the longer dip tube. Yes the stand is heavy but the steel was free so i cant complain. I want to hard line everything i am still debating on stainless VS copper i like the look of copper and the price, lots of people have copper piping does it have any adverse affects and if so are they significant enough to justify the cost of stainless and if stainless is the way to go can you use welded or the more expensive seamless stuff. the propane tank is only stored there i pull it out when im brewin. thanks for the input.BREW ON !!