Got my rig all set up tonight! Phooshopped in the HLT as thats this weekends project, Ill be using the same one as my MLT as it works fine (38 quart) and cheap for $19,95 at Target. Holes good stable temp for around 1 1/4 hours.
ok so I'm a newb.. I've only done one extract brew..
so what are the 3 different kegs for? I'm assuming it is only for all grain brewing.. but without thinking too hard I can't figure out what happens in each step..
Top platform = HLT (Hot Liquor Tun = holds hot sparge water (gravity flow to MT)
Middle platform = MT (Mash Tun) = holds the mash (grain) (gravity flow to Boil Kettle.
Lowest Platform = BK (Boil Kettle = Where you boil the wort (gravity flow from MT)
That's the basic configuration. One of the first things you will notice with these systems and rigs is that it's rare to see identical setups. There are a lot of options if one wants to build an elaborate system which might include electronic automation with automatic temperature controls and such. Seems there's no limit sometimes.
It's not ONLY for all grain brewing. Any AG system can be used for extract batches. All you need is a boil kettle, a chiller and a fermenter for extract brewing and you would have that and a lot more.
and if I have it right, the middle station is the one that is like ~150 deg? meaning the top one is too? (trying to answer my own question)
The middle is usually between 150 and 158. The reason the top one can be up to boiling is when you do step mashes (mashes where you need to ramp up your temperatures.) Through a simple calculation you can add a set amount of boiling water from the top to achieve a certain rise in temperature in the middle.
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Heros are made 10 gallons at a time.
Kegged/On Tap - Double IPA Conditioning - Orange Ale
ah thanks.. what I meant was, if you were doing extract, you wouldn't need the 3 kegs.. just a pot and heat
So the top keg is just water? how hot is that usually? and when that pours into the second, does it sit for a while, or just pour through?
and if I have it right, the middle station is the one that is like ~150 deg? meaning the top one is too? (trying to answer my own question)
and bottom, of course, needs to boil.
is that right?
Thanks,
Yes, more or less. I'd like to suggest some reading for you. Check out John Palmer's "How to Brew". It's a free download or you can just buy the 2nd edition:
John pretty much gives you the whole enchilada in his book and it's a good general handbook of brewing to have around. You will quickly understand the basics of brewing and then you can figure out how to configure your brewery. A word of caution though, it's not usually a short journey.
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