It has been a good day... - Page 2

**Coastarine** · 10-14-2008, 12:56 PM

I have a nicely finished shed that will house the rig when not in use (and maybe while in use if the weather ever demands). I try to keep brewing equipment out of sight when I'm not using it. I could take all of my brewing out there but it would need a window a/c unit and it doesn't have water, so why bother when I already have a dedicated room in the house.

**Coastarine** · 10-15-2008, 02:52 AM

Now with sweet shelves, wheels, and deluxe aluminum foil heat shield!

**Coastarine** · 10-15-2008, 05:51 AM

Also, I drilled my 7 gal aluminum pot (used to be kettle, now will be HLT) using a step bit. I know the step bit costs a bit of money, but that was so easy. I used a close threaded nipple, a ball valve and fender washer on the outside, some kinda piece to screw on to the inside, and a few plastic/rubber hose washers to make a seal on the inside. I know those aren't food grade, but I couldn't find anything better. I'm gonna go with the "wait and see" method.

Hose washer aside though, I can't believe I didn't do this sooner. I did a bunch of brews using gravity to pull through my CFC, which meant trying to get a siphon going. Autosiphon will melt and you don't want to put your mouth on the wort-out line, so that meant getting a little creative. Now I have a pump, but I just should have drilled the damn pot.

**Jaybird** · 10-15-2008, 06:15 AM

you need a California Brewing Company pint glass to add to your collection.
JJ

**IrregularPulse** · 10-15-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaybird

you need a California Brewing Company pint glass to add to your collection.
JJ

I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you sent him one over!

I think I may go this route fora stand as well. Look pretty simple to construct. I have a grinder I can use for any cut, and a socket set, holy crap that looks like the only tools necessary! vHere's to your stand and my future whatever.

TommyBoy · 10-15-2008, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyk'd

I knew Erector Sets had value!

Now all that is needed is some sort of crane built on to it.

**Coastarine** · 10-16-2008, 11:48 PM

My 60 qt aluminum pot came today. Man that thing is big. It is very wide, which should make 5 gallon batches interesting. I think I'll be getting considerably more evaporation, but hey, no more boil overs.

I did the plumbing and electrical today, and also mounted the HLT burner and the pump. My bayou burner will arrive tomorrow, hopefully get mounted, and then I'm all ready to burn off the zinc and oxidize my pot. I'd also like to put up something to block the heat from some of the chiller tubing, and some flashing around the kettle to trap heat/block wind, but that's not really essential.

On an unrelated note, I got a little uglier today. I was doing some martial arts training and we were grappling. I caught the back of my opponent's head to my face, and my nose is a little left of center (my left) now. It didn't break, no blood, nothing too tender, it just moved. Go figure. Good thing I'm married.

**Coastarine** · 10-18-2008, 05:17 AM

She's all done. Gotta burn off the zinc, oxidize the alum kettle, and brew. Bee Cave IPA will be her maiden voyage. Pics of that.