Here is my brew stand - its a work in progress. I purchased most of it from a brewery that had used it as a pilot system. So far all I have modified is to put in on casters.
Note: To any who may notice the drapes near the BK burner - This is just where the system lives, not where I plan on operating it (outside).
I have removed the valves and barbs from all of the ports as I am looking into getting camlocks, which is actually where my questions come in.
1) I have 5 ports - 1 on the HLT at the bottom, one on the BK at the bottom, one on the MLT at the bottom, one on the MLT for the autosparge, and on the MLT for recirculation. Am I correct in assuming that there is really no need for ball valves on the recirc and auto sparge ports?
2) What is the advantage of using street elbows with hose threaded over them rather than using 1/2 barbs for attaching to the hose? Is it just about flow and stress on the tubing?
3) Based on what I decide to do about #2 I am either gonna do
A) 3 Bottom Ports: 1/2" Ball Valve > Camlock F
Auto Sparge Port: Camlock A
Recirc Port: Camlock A
Hoses: Camlock D > 1/2" Barb > Worm Clamp > Hose > Worm Clamp > 1/2" Barb > Camlock D
Pump In: Camlock A
Pump Out: 1/2" Ball Valve > Camlock F
OR
B) 3 Bottom Ports: 1/2" Ball Valve > Camlock F
Auto Sparge Port: Camlock A
Recirc Port: Camlock A
Hoses: Camlock B > 1/2" Street Elbow > Hose > 1/2" Street Elbow > Camlock B
Pump In: Camlock A
Pump Out: 1/2" Ball Valve > Camlock F
Does that make sense? I've drawn it out and gone over it in my mind many times but I just wanted to get a second opinion before I order stuff.
4) Based on the fact that HLT to MLT will be gravity driven, I am only getting the one pump, and I am trying to figure out how many total different hoses I may need based on the steps (that include transfer) of the brewday:
#1 When filling the MLT from the HLT
Hose 1 - HLT Bottom Port to MLT Recirc Port (or just dumping right into the kettle)
#2 During Mash
Hose 1 - MLT Bottom Port to Pump In
Hose 2 - Pump Out to MLT Recirc Port
#3 Sparge
Hose 1 - MLT Bottom Port to Pump In
Hose 2 - Pump Out to BK (no port just dumping into the kettle)
Hose 3 - HLT to Auto Sparge
#4 Post-Boil (I have no plans for a plate chiller at the moment, just planning on doing an IC)
Hose 1 - BK Bottom Port to Fermenter
Is there are process that I am missing here?
5) Is it safe to clean silicon tubing in oxyclean?
6) Is there a manufacturer out there that makes gas lines - kinda like the black pipe ones that I have seen so many make here. It seems easy enough to put one together, but its propane I would rather not try to DIY something like that and blow myself up. If not, has anyone had one put together by a professional (plumber?) and ballpark how much did it cost?
7) I see a lot of people have those water filters on the their brew stands, if I were to set up something like that would it properly filter from a garden hose or are the people that use these setups getting already somewhat clean water from their house?
Thanks for the time everyone
Note: To any who may notice the drapes near the BK burner - This is just where the system lives, not where I plan on operating it (outside).
I have removed the valves and barbs from all of the ports as I am looking into getting camlocks, which is actually where my questions come in.
1) I have 5 ports - 1 on the HLT at the bottom, one on the BK at the bottom, one on the MLT at the bottom, one on the MLT for the autosparge, and on the MLT for recirculation. Am I correct in assuming that there is really no need for ball valves on the recirc and auto sparge ports?
2) What is the advantage of using street elbows with hose threaded over them rather than using 1/2 barbs for attaching to the hose? Is it just about flow and stress on the tubing?
3) Based on what I decide to do about #2 I am either gonna do
A) 3 Bottom Ports: 1/2" Ball Valve > Camlock F
Auto Sparge Port: Camlock A
Recirc Port: Camlock A
Hoses: Camlock D > 1/2" Barb > Worm Clamp > Hose > Worm Clamp > 1/2" Barb > Camlock D
Pump In: Camlock A
Pump Out: 1/2" Ball Valve > Camlock F
OR
B) 3 Bottom Ports: 1/2" Ball Valve > Camlock F
Auto Sparge Port: Camlock A
Recirc Port: Camlock A
Hoses: Camlock B > 1/2" Street Elbow > Hose > 1/2" Street Elbow > Camlock B
Pump In: Camlock A
Pump Out: 1/2" Ball Valve > Camlock F
Does that make sense? I've drawn it out and gone over it in my mind many times but I just wanted to get a second opinion before I order stuff.
4) Based on the fact that HLT to MLT will be gravity driven, I am only getting the one pump, and I am trying to figure out how many total different hoses I may need based on the steps (that include transfer) of the brewday:
#1 When filling the MLT from the HLT
Hose 1 - HLT Bottom Port to MLT Recirc Port (or just dumping right into the kettle)
#2 During Mash
Hose 1 - MLT Bottom Port to Pump In
Hose 2 - Pump Out to MLT Recirc Port
#3 Sparge
Hose 1 - MLT Bottom Port to Pump In
Hose 2 - Pump Out to BK (no port just dumping into the kettle)
Hose 3 - HLT to Auto Sparge
#4 Post-Boil (I have no plans for a plate chiller at the moment, just planning on doing an IC)
Hose 1 - BK Bottom Port to Fermenter
Is there are process that I am missing here?
5) Is it safe to clean silicon tubing in oxyclean?
6) Is there a manufacturer out there that makes gas lines - kinda like the black pipe ones that I have seen so many make here. It seems easy enough to put one together, but its propane I would rather not try to DIY something like that and blow myself up. If not, has anyone had one put together by a professional (plumber?) and ballpark how much did it cost?
7) I see a lot of people have those water filters on the their brew stands, if I were to set up something like that would it properly filter from a garden hose or are the people that use these setups getting already somewhat clean water from their house?
Thanks for the time everyone