I'm tired of screwing around with makeshift brewing equipment. I'm building a brew sculpture.
Here are my "thinking out loud" brainstorming ideas. Constructive criticism and advice is welcome.
I will be brewing 5 to 8 batches a year. I don't drink much so I don't need to brew big volumes. I'll be using 6 gallon fermenters for now, but might increase to 8,9 or 10 gallons later.
5 batches a year x 5 dozen per batch = 25 dozen beer per year. Seems enough. I can always step it up if I need more. I like to experiment and I like variety. I'd rather brew more batches of different beer than bigger batches of the same beer.
I have a busy life. I don't get to brew often. I don't want to waste a bunch of time when I'm brewing. I want a system that allows me to brew 2 batches at once, ie one boiling while the next one is mashing. Thus my system will have 1 mash tun and 2 boil kettles.
I want a high level of automation so that I don't have to babysit it the entire time.
I have ordered 3 of these, one for a mash tun and 2 for boil kettles.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TAHKBC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
I chose the 11 gallon size because a) these pots are a nice diameter and have the same diameter (13.5") as the 9 gallon size, only they are taller b) I like pots that are taller than they are round c) 11 gallons gives me lots of head room for 7 gallons of boiling wort d) as a mash tun I have lots of capacity for 6 gallon beers e) I can step up to 8, 9 or possibly 10 gallon batches if/when I increase my fermenter size.
I ordered an on demand hot water heater with a digital control to supply all my mash in and sparging water.
Amazon.com: Eccotemp FVI-12-NG High Capacity Gas Tankless Water Heater: Home Improvement
It appears the stock dial only goes to 140F, though the display goes to at least 170F. I'll replace the dial or do whatever I have to so that it delivers 170F water for sparging.
My sculpture will operate on natural gas. I'm tired of filling and paying for propane. I have a NG outlet on my deck, which will also reach my garage.
I am going to heat the 2 boil kettles and the mash tun directly via 10 inch banjo burners. I want to automate them with a pilot light and gas control valve.
I will use a plate chiller to cool the wort down to fermentation temp.
I will recirculate the mash with a variable speed pump that I already have. I'll probably need a second pump to handle pumping wort through the chiller while a mash is circulating. (2 brews at one time, remember ?)
I want to use clover fittings throughout. What size is the question ? 1", 1.5", 2" ? Advice here, please !
I am a good welder. I have a TIG welder on order. My vessels will use welded fittings.
I will need a temperature probe in each vessel and another in the recirc line of the mash tun.
I will monitor and control the system with a PC and a USB connected controller that I will build. Basically its just going to monitor and log the mash and boil temps and turn the burners on and off. I will control the pumps manually. I will route all the wort manually, ie no solenoid valves.
I haven't designed the brewstand yet, but I know I want it to have a tippy and garbage pail chute for the mash tun. This system (minus the PC) will be stored outside all year round.
I brew in winter. I want to brew my first batch in February. My welder should be here in 2 weeks. I need to get cracking on this thing !
Please critique my ideas.
Thanks !
Here are my "thinking out loud" brainstorming ideas. Constructive criticism and advice is welcome.
I will be brewing 5 to 8 batches a year. I don't drink much so I don't need to brew big volumes. I'll be using 6 gallon fermenters for now, but might increase to 8,9 or 10 gallons later.
5 batches a year x 5 dozen per batch = 25 dozen beer per year. Seems enough. I can always step it up if I need more. I like to experiment and I like variety. I'd rather brew more batches of different beer than bigger batches of the same beer.
I have a busy life. I don't get to brew often. I don't want to waste a bunch of time when I'm brewing. I want a system that allows me to brew 2 batches at once, ie one boiling while the next one is mashing. Thus my system will have 1 mash tun and 2 boil kettles.
I want a high level of automation so that I don't have to babysit it the entire time.
I have ordered 3 of these, one for a mash tun and 2 for boil kettles.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TAHKBC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
I chose the 11 gallon size because a) these pots are a nice diameter and have the same diameter (13.5") as the 9 gallon size, only they are taller b) I like pots that are taller than they are round c) 11 gallons gives me lots of head room for 7 gallons of boiling wort d) as a mash tun I have lots of capacity for 6 gallon beers e) I can step up to 8, 9 or possibly 10 gallon batches if/when I increase my fermenter size.
I ordered an on demand hot water heater with a digital control to supply all my mash in and sparging water.
Amazon.com: Eccotemp FVI-12-NG High Capacity Gas Tankless Water Heater: Home Improvement
It appears the stock dial only goes to 140F, though the display goes to at least 170F. I'll replace the dial or do whatever I have to so that it delivers 170F water for sparging.
My sculpture will operate on natural gas. I'm tired of filling and paying for propane. I have a NG outlet on my deck, which will also reach my garage.
I am going to heat the 2 boil kettles and the mash tun directly via 10 inch banjo burners. I want to automate them with a pilot light and gas control valve.
I will use a plate chiller to cool the wort down to fermentation temp.
I will recirculate the mash with a variable speed pump that I already have. I'll probably need a second pump to handle pumping wort through the chiller while a mash is circulating. (2 brews at one time, remember ?)
I want to use clover fittings throughout. What size is the question ? 1", 1.5", 2" ? Advice here, please !
I am a good welder. I have a TIG welder on order. My vessels will use welded fittings.
I will need a temperature probe in each vessel and another in the recirc line of the mash tun.
I will monitor and control the system with a PC and a USB connected controller that I will build. Basically its just going to monitor and log the mash and boil temps and turn the burners on and off. I will control the pumps manually. I will route all the wort manually, ie no solenoid valves.
I haven't designed the brewstand yet, but I know I want it to have a tippy and garbage pail chute for the mash tun. This system (minus the PC) will be stored outside all year round.
I brew in winter. I want to brew my first batch in February. My welder should be here in 2 weeks. I need to get cracking on this thing !
Please critique my ideas.
Thanks !
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