My Angle Iron Single Tier Brewstand Build

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TallyPatriot

Active Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2011
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Starting on my single tier brewstand, thought I would start a build thread. The goal was to build a simple single tier with quality components but keep the cost to a minimum. I batch sparge so I am debating whether or not to go with one pump or two.

So I got the stand built by a local welder as a Christmas present, total cost to me $0, cost to family $185.

Here is the design plans.
BrewstandDesign.jpg

And the finished product.
PB260090.jpg


Ordered 3 BG10 burners from Bayou Classic.

Burners.jpg


Bought the piping for the gas manifold at Lowes: $72.85

Here is the parts list so far, will try to keep it updated as I go for others who wish to build something similar.

Brew Stand (1.5" Angle Iron): $185
BG10 Burners x 3: $48
30 PSI Regulator (Bayou): $32
Gas Manifold Parts
3/4" Pipe Strap: $2.23
1/2" x 8" Black Iron x6: $13.44
1/2" HD Gas Ball Valve x3: $26.10
1/2" Pipe Tee x 3: $5.07
1/2" x 2" Black Iron x 6: $5.64
1/2" FIPT Valve to 3/8" Flare: $7.58
1/2" Black Iron 90* Elbow x 3: $3.60
1/2" Black Iron Coupler x2: $2.32
1/2" Black Iron Cap: $1.03
More Beer 1/8" x 1" Jet x3: $14.85
More Beer 1/8" to 1/2" Adapter x3: $4.50
BrewHardware Thermo Sight Glass: $44.99
BrewHardware Sight Glass: $26.95
BrewHardware Heat Shields: $9.00
Bargain Fittings Weldless Valve x3: $66.00
Bargain Fittings Weldless Bulkhead x2: $22.00
Bargain Fittings 90* Elbow x2: $8.00
Two used Sanke Kegs: $40.00
Running Total: $534.00

Still need to order hoses, pumps and decide on a chiller. Any comments or suggestions are definitely welcome. Thanks to all the great homebrewers on here that I have gotten inspiration and ideas from.
 
Looking good, Tally. I'm building mine out of old queen-size bed frames. I bought a bunch of them at a quasi-yard sale when an old motel was being renovated.

2011-12-12_12-30-38_933.jpg
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Learning to weld has become quite the additional benefit!

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Update:

Been swamped at work but started collecting more Sankes to convert (gotta love living in a college town!).
PC110101.jpg


Ordered bulkheads and valves from Bargain Fittings and sight glasses from Brew Hardware.

PC110102.jpg


Also decided to make a hop spider to simplify the filtering without spending a lot of money. Bought a stainless sugar container from Publix for $5 and cut the bottom off (sloppily) with my cutoff wheel. Then added legs and hardware from Lowes. Less than $20 invested.

PC110104.jpg


Maybe tomorrow I'll start cutting the top off the third keg and drill some holes for the fittings. Still need pemanently mount the manifold, don't think the zipties will last long under heat. :)
 
Sorry for the slow process, took a new job and moved at the end of January so that really slowed the work. Have drilled all the holes in the kegs except the two return fittings at the top of the MLT and BK.

But I just ordered a bunch of Camlock fittings and silicone hose.

Will take pictures when I get everything hooked up next week.

Here's an update total for those taking notes:

Brew Stand (1.5" Angle Iron): $185
BG10 Burners x 3: $48
30 PSI Regulator (Bayou): $32
Gas Manifold Parts
3/4" Pipe Strap: $2.23
1/2" x 8" Black Iron x6: $13.44
1/2" HD Gas Ball Valve x3: $26.10
1/2" Pipe Tee x 3: $5.07
1/2" x 2" Black Iron x 6: $5.64
1/2" FIPT Valve to 3/8" Flare: $7.58
1/2" Black Iron 90* Elbow x 3: $3.60
1/2" Black Iron Coupler x2: $2.32
1/2" Black Iron Cap: $1.03
More Beer 1/8" x 1" Jet x3: $14.85
More Beer 1/8" to 1/2" Adapter x3: $4.50
BrewHardware Thermo Sight Glass: $44.99
BrewHardware Sight Glass: $26.95
BrewHardware Heat Shields: $9.00
Bargain Fittings Weldless Valve x3: $66.00
Bargain Fittings Weldless Bulkhead x2: $22.00
Bargain Fittings 90* Elbow x2: $8.00
Two used Sanke Kegs: $40.00
Stainless Camlock D Fittings x 7: $41.67
Stainless 5/8" to 1/2" MPT Nipples: x 7: $32.83
Stainless Camlock A Fittings x 7: $25.90
Stainless 1/2" Hex Nipples x 5: $10.00
20' of silicone hose: $47.80

Running Total: $692.20
 
Ok. Finally got around to working on the brewstand again. Ordered some diptubes from Brewhardware.com (thanks BobbyM!) and returned the PICO style false bottom for a 15" Jaybird false bottom. Also got a 10" false bottom from Adventures in Homebrewing for the boil kettle.

As it sits it is capable of making beer with my immersion chiller, but I want to get a CFC or plate chiller and also make a control panel for temperature control.

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics but its all I got at the moment. Will take more pics later.

2012-04-30214359.jpg

2012-04-30214500.jpg

2012-04-30214419.jpg

2012-04-30214424.jpg
 
Here is the updated parts list and total price:

Brew Stand (1.5" Angle Iron): $185
BG10 Burners x 3: $48
30 PSI Regulator (Bayou): $32
Gas Manifold Parts
3/4" Pipe Strap: $2.23
1/2" x 8" Black Iron x6: $13.44
1/2" HD Gas Ball Valve x3: $26.10
1/2" Pipe Tee x 3: $5.07
1/2" x 2" Black Iron x 6: $5.64
1/2" FIPT Valve to 3/8" Flare: $7.58
1/2" Black Iron 90* Elbow x 3: $3.60
1/2" Black Iron Coupler x2: $2.32
1/2" Black Iron Cap: $1.03
More Beer 1/8" x 1" Jet x3: $14.85
More Beer 1/8" to 1/2" Adapter x3: $4.50
BrewHardware Thermo Sight Glass: $44.99
BrewHardware Sight Glass: $26.95
BrewHardware Heat Shields: $9.00
Bargain Fittings Weldless Valve x3: $66.00
Bargain Fittings Weldless Bulkhead x2: $22.00
Bargain Fittings 90* Elbow x2: $8.00
Two used Sanke Kegs: $40.00
Stainless Camlock D Fittings x 10: $57.50
Stainless 5/8" to 1/2" MPT Nipples: x 10: $48.90
Stainless Camlock A Fittings x 10: $37.90
Stainless Camlock F Fittings x2: $8.30
Stainless 1/2" Hex Nipples x 5: $10.00
20' of silicone hose: $47.80
March 1/25 HP Brew Pumps x 2: $337.88
Aluminum Pump Mounting Brackets x 2: $17.90
10" SS Flat False Bottom (BK): $28.99
15" Jaybird False Bottom (Hinge, Handle, Hole): $93.96
8' Replacement Power Cord (for pumps) x2: $18.84
1/2" SS 2 piece Ball Valves: $26.00
1/2" SS Diptube Assb. x 3: $69.00

Total: $1398.27

Wow that added up quick!
 
Started working on the stand again. Decided after the first test run that manual temp control was not going to work so I've started building a RIMS tube and control panel for the stand. Also replaced the burners and ditched the black iron pipe in favor for propane hoses.

Here is a picture of the remounted burner set up. Way easier than messing with the iron pipe.
PB080359.jpg


The whole brew stand as it sits with pumps. Disregard the old pipe manifold behind the stand.
PB080361.jpg


The Control Panel parts and how I originally laid them out.
PA080355.jpg

PA080356.jpg


The finished exterior of the Control Panel.
PB080357.jpg

PB080358.jpg


Just need to wire it up and test it out.
 
2012-11-18142721.jpg


Finally finished! Brewing an ESB on it while we speak. Many thanks to the homebrew talk community for all the inspiration and help, I could not have completed this build without this forum.
 
I know this post is old... But stumbled upon it. Have to say I'm very impressed with your work on this. I also agree that the costs add up FAST.

Looking to make a similar stand myself, but the idea of another money pit is daunting.
 
Very nice. I using the same angle iron (bed frames) and single tier design. I opted for free metal and self taught welding. I figure I end up with a welder and a skill for about the same price. I've been working on burner mount/wind screen design. I want to mount the burners with manual valves toward the front but be able to swing them around back when I go to automated temp control. You also validate my decision on top return fittings and camlocks. I was planning to go HERMS with a copper coil HEX and then use the HLT as a ice water bath for post boil chilling with the same HEX. Anything you would change?
 
I'm planning on adding wind screens to the burners eventually. Only thing I wish I would have done was pick the right parts the first time, but you live and learn!
 
I know this is an old thread, but I am about to buy some sticks out metal and just want to ask for any words of wisdom from the OP. Are the dimensions good? Is there anything you would do differently? Are you truly pleased with the angle iron?

Thanks in advance!
 
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