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03-23-2007, 07:51 PM
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#1
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Beer, not rocket science
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Corrales, New Mexico
Posts: 4,571
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Stainless braid false bottom
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For many years I have used a slotted copper false bottom on my MLT. It really has been fine, and made some wonderful beers, but I am always in search of a new project. So I decided to build a deluxe, stainless braid false bottom (SFB). I blame this all on Dude because he sent me some wonderful brews. I first had his Pliny the Bastard and thought "why not make a new SFB?" Then I drank his Red Eye Rye and thought, "Why not make it a double?"
So I got busy with my saw, torch, copper and stainless and came up with this:
As you can see, it is a double looped SFB. In the process I came up with an idea that I utilized. I don't know if others have thought of this or not, but WTH, I did. The stainless braid is very flexible and tends to want to stretch out. So I ran a length of 18 gauge copper wire through the lenght of braid and secured it on each end with my clamps, creating a limit or brake to the expansion. Clever idea, if I don't say so myself.
Installed in my MLT the SFB looks like this:
So that is my gift to the Home Brew Gawds this day. I did not brew the 777 and will use that brew next week as a test of my new SFB. But I thought some of you might like the idea and appreciate the effort. But don't thank me, thank Dude. This project was 100% Dude's brew powered. 
__________________
Before I learned to brew I was poor, sober and lonely. Now I am just poor.
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03-23-2007, 07:59 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 567
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That looks awesome BP. I love mine, but it has its issues. I think it might be time for a refub. based on your design.
Thanks!
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03-23-2007, 08:03 PM
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#3
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Beer, not rocket science
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Corrales, New Mexico
Posts: 4,571
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No problem. My best friend is a Lowes employee and the more projects i can send his way the happier his wife will be.
__________________
Before I learned to brew I was poor, sober and lonely. Now I am just poor.
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03-23-2007, 08:08 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Castaic, CA
Posts: 721
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That looks great, I don't know how much flow you are going to get from the center loop due to the path of least resistance thing but it just might work. You have plenty of surface area with the outer loop anyways so it will work fine.
I went from a FB to a copper manifold and then switched to the braid like you did. Not much difference between the copper and braid except the braid stays clean and doesn't turn green.
I just went with one long hose and double looped it. It's about 2 years old now and about time for a new one...
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03-23-2007, 08:13 PM
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#5
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Discover the motherlode
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Heidelberg, Germany, Baden Wurtemberg
Posts: 8,837
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It looks great! Can ya make me one? 
I ran across one similar where the guy put a stainless spring inside the braid--that held up the integrity of the braid. I imagine in that huge kettle of yours 50 lbs. of grain on top of it might crush the braid.
I need to get on this. I like the copper H, that will defintely keep it from floating around, I'd guess.
__________________
On Tap: Lake Walk Pale Ale -- Eternity (Raspberry Stout) -- Nutrocker -- Donnybrook Dark
Primary: Lake Walk Pale Ale
Secondary: Summit IPA
Up Next: Smoked Porter -- Pub Ale -- Watermelon Wheat
Planning:
Gone But Not Forgotten:
www.IronOrrBrewery.com
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03-23-2007, 08:17 PM
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#6
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Beer, not rocket science
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Corrales, New Mexico
Posts: 4,571
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Dude
I ran across one similar where the guy put a stainless spring inside the braid--that held up the integrity of the braid.
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Now that is an idea. Again, I can't say if it is worth the effort or not, but hey, it is another HB project. Waht more can I ask?
__________________
Before I learned to brew I was poor, sober and lonely. Now I am just poor.
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03-23-2007, 08:35 PM
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#7
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Beer, not rocket science
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Corrales, New Mexico
Posts: 4,571
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I am presumining that the brais=ded stainless will act a bit like a corrigated pipe and hold its form due to the relatively equal pressure of the grain all around it. Am I off base (on this)?
__________________
Before I learned to brew I was poor, sober and lonely. Now I am just poor.
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03-23-2007, 08:44 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 1,269
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do you fly or batch sparge?
While what you made is beautiful and original, unless you fly sparge, I just don't see it working much better than 2" or 12" of ss straight braid, as long as sugary water comes out the bulkead valve...what is the difference?
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03-23-2007, 09:14 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Castaic, CA
Posts: 721
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I have put 75lbs of grain on top of mine without any problems. If you bring your mash paddle all the way to the bottom there is a chance of picking it up but I haven't had that problem.
If you are fly sparging it is best to loop it, a single loop works just as well as a double loop I have found out.
If you are batch sparging then a straight piece with the end crimped works fine.
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03-23-2007, 09:59 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lake Zurich, IL
Posts: 311
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FWIW, John Palmer's book claims 1" SST braid won't collapse under the weight of grains, but I've yet to verify it empirically. I did have to go up to 1/2" fittings on the tee, however
__________________
"Those are my principles, and if you don't like them...well, I have others" --Groucho Marx
Primary: echos
Secondary: Nukey Brown
Keg 1: echos
Keg 2: echos
Bottled: Wind 'er Up Winter Ale
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