Blichmann Modular Brewing Stand "Top Tier" (spring 09)

Lonnie uses 0.036" honeycomb patterned decorative stainless, not diamond plate. Here's a link. They do have a diamond patterned one as well as a diamond plate variant but personally I think he made the right call with the honeycomb...

http://www.mcmaster.com/#stainless-steel-sheets/=488o7k

Irrenarzt said:

Lonnie uses 0.036" honeycomb patterned decorative stainless, not diamond plate. Here's a link. They do have a diamond patterned one as well as a diamond plate variant but personally I think he made the right call with the honeycomb...

http://www.mcmaster.com/#stainless-steel-sheets/=488o7k

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Excellent - thanks.

Ok it has been a while since I posted any updates, so here are the latest pics of the rig. I added the second burner and I built the keggles witch are still in process, the keg masher kit will arrive today. Anyway here they are.

2nd burner from the front.


side... in this one you can see the wind screen that I built.


back corner where the wind screen meets the support bracket.


And the entire thing as it stands now.


I will post a few more shots as I complete things. Here is what is left. Gas manifold, water line to HLT, and keg masher install. Then later a march pump...

Can I make a suggestion? For your tubing... you may want to consider using 90 degree turns. This is a trick I learned from Bobby_M and Lonnie.

When I added 90 degree angles to my quick-disconnect it made a world of difference in the bend required by the soft tubing. However, instead of using the 90 degree quick disconnects from McMaster carr that Bobby uses, I built my own using a 90 degree elbow. This insures that I get the full 1/2" bore throughout my tubing.

JDV X
I had thought about that but it was after the fact. The more I look at thing as it come together the more I see little things that I will address later and the tubing routing is on that list. I will definately take that into consideration when I get to the that point. At this time I am so anxious to brew an this thing I am just trying to get to a point where I can do so! Thanks for the input!

water line is finished and I ran it through the first full run on Saturday. Holy caw it looks like I have to learn how to brew all over again!!!

Hey - Chuckger - could you post a parts list of the T-slot that you got from Faztek? It would be a big help for those of us trying to do this. I'm in exactly the same boat as you - badly want a Blichman top tier but SWMBO won't allow it.

Thanks!

Sure, here is the bill of materials from Faztek. Of course you can order whatever you want and they will cut it to size for you so that it is a complete kit just needing assembly when you get it.

and i would point out that this is lots less expensive than the blichmann...

I bet if you call and order you can use my quote number to get the parts list together, just make sure they read it back to you before you order it becasue there was some random piece on my order that I did not want. If you look closely at the quote there is a line item missing, but when you order it showed up. FYI...

I love mine it has made brewing a lot more fun!!! Good luck!

commander flatus said:

and i would point out that this is lots less expensive than the blichmann...

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While this is certainly true I don't think it's a completely even comparison. For the record - I have a Blichmann top-tier.

The Blichmann uses 5" extrusion, not 3", which means it can safely handle much more weight. Remember that you are heating soft metal.

It has wheels (which means it can easily be moved about), leveling feet (for use on uneven surfaces like a driveway); it also came with all the hardware and burners, which of course were prefit.

It only took about 3 hours to set up and I was brewing right away, which for me means a lot because I don't have a lot of extra time.

JVD_X said:

It only took about 3 hours to set up and I was brewing right away, which for me means a lot because I don't have a lot of extra time.

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Watch out this will turn into a batch sparge vs. fly sparge or arduino board vs. bcs-460. Money/Time continuum is a challenge that we all have to find our own way through...Your points about the dimensions and other features are good, I suspect that the actual delta in top tier cost vs. parting it out and getting a similar, but different setup will always make it an impossible comparison...I want a wall mounted version of the top tier...talk about being difficult.

JVD_X said:

While this is certainly true I don't think it's a completely even comparison. For the record - I have a Blichmann top-tier.

The Blichmann uses 5" extrusion, not 3", which means it can safely handle much more weight. Remember that you are heating soft metal.

It has wheels (which means it can easily be moved about), leveling feet (for use on uneven surfaces like a driveway); it also came with all the hardware and burners, which of course were prefit.

It only took about 3 hours to set up and I was brewing right away, which for me means a lot because I don't have a lot of extra time.

Click to expand...

Are you using gravity or a pump? Would you mind posting some pictures? I would love to see how you have yours setup.

JVD_X

I just purchased a Blichmann Top Tier myself and am waiting for delivery. I saw one in my LHBS and couldn't believe how solid the construction was.

Have you brewed on your's yet...just wondering how it was? Also, any parts to buy up front to hook up the gas? Or just wait and measure as needed...

Appreciate any feedback you can give and I am looking forward to my delivery in the next couple of weeks...

JD

np0x said:

Watch out this will turn into a batch sparge vs. fly sparge or arduino board vs. bcs-460. Money/Time continuum is a challenge that we all have to find our own way through...Your points about the dimensions and other features are good, I suspect that the actual delta in top tier cost vs. parting it out and getting a similar, but different setup will always make it an impossible comparison...I want a wall mounted version of the top tier...talk about being difficult.

Click to expand...

probably!!!

Shay said:

Are you using gravity or a pump? Would you mind posting some pictures? I would love to see how you have yours setup.

Click to expand...

I use gravity and pumps.

JDT- said:

JVD_X

I just purchased a Blichmann Top Tier myself and am waiting for delivery. I saw one in my LHBS and couldn't believe how solid the construction was.

Have you brewed on your's yet...just wondering how it was? Also, any parts to buy up front to hook up the gas? Or just wait and measure as needed...

Appreciate any feedback you can give and I am looking forward to my delivery in the next couple of weeks...

JD

Click to expand...

I have brewed about 5 times on it and I LOVE it. I find I am brewing much more consistently with it... but I believe this has to do more with having a consistent setup and stand... period. I would probably get the same experience from an equivalent single tier if that makes sense.

If I wasn't using a RIMS and instead was using direct fire and a mash stirrer I would not need a pump at all. I love gravity brewing... It is simple, it works very well and it's cheap. I want to add a mash stirrer so I can use direct heat instead of using my RIMS or my HERMS. Yes... I have the ability to do RIMS, HERMS, Gravity, and decoction all in one stand.

The quality is outstanding but the custom sizing of the center pillar makes it difficult to source additional components. For example, I wanted to add an arm to support my control box. I had to coble together pieces from Lowes.

It was very simple to build the gas manifold... but one thing that is not in the directions is that I would decide on the manifold design before attaching the burners. This is because the gas tubes from the support pillar to the burner do not have a lot of slack. So... I am adding gas control and my spacing is off a little bit.

Here is the finished product in action. I did a Cream Ale and a Blonde back to back in 7 hours including water heat time and clean up!!

I think I'm leaning towards purchasing the Blichmann burners and build the stand myself. I may use a heavier-duty center post because it isn't much more expensive and I'm thinking I might like to do the ocassional 20 gallon batch.

Thanks for the pics.

commander flatus said:

I think I'm leaning towards purchasing the Blichmann burners and build the stand myself. I may use a heavier-duty center post because it isn't much more expensive and I'm thinking I might like to do the ocassional 20 gallon batch.

Thanks for the pics.

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Have you looked into this any more? I'm thinking about doing the same, since the prices of the burners is reasonable once you factor int he additional metal and time.

commander flatus said:

I think I'm leaning towards purchasing the Blichmann burners and build the stand myself. I may use a heavier-duty center post because it isn't much more expensive and I'm thinking I might like to do the ocassional 20 gallon batch.

Thanks for the pics.

Click to expand...

If you look on the Blichmann website there's a picture of the stand without the burners on it and it looks like the stand comes with additional stainless steel parts to attach the burners to the stand.

I've been going back and forth or this - I thought about unistrut, but it's too pricey; I looked into welding a Brutus 10 spec stand and that was also pricey; I looked in to building a stand for Blichmann burners and it doesn't look possible.

I'm starting to think that I may just buy the Blichmann stand. So if I flamed anyone earlier in the tread - mea culpa.

flatulently,

Hello,

I was also considering getting the Top Tier system, and found this thread while researching it. After seeing how chuckger built a similar system, I'd prefer to build one myself. I intended to get the Blichmann burners and mount them to my DIY stand, but I too have questions about how to mount the BE burners. I think I could do it with some sheet metal and angle iron, but I'd like to see some better pictures of how the BE burners mount to a Top Tier stand. Also, I'd like to see some close ups of how chuckger mounted burners to his stand. It looks like he just used sheet metal with one end bolted to the burner and the other to the stand.

But even the pictures and info given so far is greatly appreciated. It's given me lots of ideas for my design.

$$

chuck- now that your set up, which looks great by the way, is done, can you tell what your final tally was with the stand, burners, metal for the shelves and all the misc parts? Just wondering how in the end your cost ended up as compared to the Top Tier equivelant. I know from reading here yours is 3" and the top tier is 5", but asside from that, just wondering if you came out ahead or behind when done. Also, do you know what your total time (estimated) to build was?

I am trying to develop my own top tier and very glad I found this thread.

Great job!

dear all -
not to deter anyone in this thread from trying the top-tier build-it-yourself, but i found a local welder that was willing to build a brutus 10 clone (just the stand, not the burners or wheels or any of that stuff) for $800. so I went that route. I will post pictures when I take delivery (which I hope is soon).

flatulently,

bobjohnson said:

chuck- now that your set up, which looks great by the way, is done, can you tell what your final tally was with the stand, burners, metal for the shelves and all the misc parts? Just wondering how in the end your cost ended up as compared to the Top Tier equivelant. I know from reading here yours is 3" and the top tier is 5", but asside from that, just wondering if you came out ahead or behind when done. Also, do you know what your total time (estimated) to build was?

I am trying to develop my own top tier and very glad I found this thread.

Great job!

Click to expand...

I have not done a detailed price list since I added a pump and a few other little itemms, but the last time I added it all up I had $1054 in my BrewTree. Now keep in mind this price includes all t-slot material, all hardware used to built the entire stand, all of the steel I built the burners and the shelf out of, both burners, plate chiller, cold pump, everything (includeing fittings false bottom and copper pipe) that I used to build the BK MLT and HLT, the cost of the kegs that were used, the water line including the filter, and the gas manifold. I think I got everyting....

When you buy a Top Tier you get the center mast the outriggers/legs, and burners/shelves depending on how you order it. No gas line, no chiller system, no water line, and no kettles. You be the judge of weather or not to buy or build your own, the skill level needed to build this thing was probably medium at best.

And I guess I probably have about 30 hrs in designing and building.

Would I change anything today... not really, I love this BrewTree and the design, it takes up almost no floor space which is a plus, but you need a stool to stir you mash, I have a sight glass on the HLT and a water line that feeds it so I do not have to hold a hose to fill it I just turn a valve which is SWEET!

I will be installing a March hot pump this weekend, for two reasons, so I can circulate my mash and so I can fill my new 15 gal conical fermenter from the boil kettle. The conical is my latest creation, its not quite done but I will include a pic for you guys. After istalling the pump, I will be able to lower the BK down to its lowest position on the mast, which means I can lower all the tiers and still be able to gravity feed from one to the next, at that point I am pretty sure I will not need the stool anymore to stir the mash, so this thing jsut keeps getting better!!!

Only thing left to add is wheels so I can tip it and roll it around!!!

Cheers adn happy brewing!!!

Here are a few recent pics...
Front of BrewTree.

Back of BrewTree.

My new 15 gal conical.

And finally... pouring a pint of the product!!:cross:

Ok so I finally installed a March pump. Sooo, now its time to re-arrange the BrewTree!!!!

So here are the new pics.

The new keggles.

All of the levels have been lowered as much as possible because I can pump now!

The conical is what spaw ned the need for a pump because I was going to have to pump from the boil kettle to the conical anyway so why not lower everything, that way I can brew without getting on a step stool. Here is a pic of the conical with stand.

i can honestly say that the 8020 store on ebay can save you a ton of money. no its not factory perfect. some have a slot that is out of spec and a customer has turned it back in but that out of spec can be .01" again people are building cnc routers out of this stuff from the ebay store. also many things can be purchased there to save some money. if you need pics of stuff i have bought from the store id be more then happy to post up some. i bought 10 sticks of 1515x96 as well as allot of 90* corner plates and linear slides from the store and none of it is so far out of spec i couldnt build a pretty decent cnc router with a pretty good tolerance. as for heating up soft metal. the alum is plenty strong enough to take the heat and cooling cycle. there isnt anything in direct contact with the flame of the build i just looked at. i mean when you are brewing can you not touch the trunk? here is the factory site if anyone wanted to compare prices http://www.8020.net/

JVD_X said:

probably!!!






I have brewed about 5 times on it and I LOVE it. I find I am brewing much more consistently with it... but I believe this has to do more with having a consistent setup and stand... period. I would probably get the same experience from an equivalent single tier if that makes sense.

If I wasn't using a RIMS and instead was using direct fire and a mash stirrer I would not need a pump at all. I love gravity brewing... It is simple, it works very well and it's cheap. I want to add a mash stirrer so I can use direct heat instead of using my RIMS or my HERMS. Yes... I have the ability to do RIMS, HERMS, Gravity, and decoction all in one stand.

The quality is outstanding but the custom sizing of the center pillar makes it difficult to source additional components. For example, I wanted to add an arm to support my control box. I had to coble together pieces from Lowes.

Click to expand...

JVD_X, I'm probably ordering the Top Tier later in the week with designs of adding a RIMS tube HEX and a control panel. If you've got the time and inclination to post pictures, I would love to see your adaptations. Thanks!

So I received my Top Tier today. Just noticed that the instructions say I should use a torque wrench for the shleves. I don't own one, and neither do any of my neighbors. What did you guys use for this step?

andy777 said:

So I received my Top Tier today. Just noticed that the instructions say I should use a torque wrench for the shleves. I don't own one, and neither do any of my neighbors. What did you guys use for this step?

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I had a torque wrench as I work on my vehicles/quads/motorcycles quite a bit, and it comes in very handy. I suppose you could just tighten it up til it feels good and snug, or buy a torque wrench from Harbor Freight for $10.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-drive-click-stop-torque-wrench-239.html

andy777 said:

JVD_X, I'm probably ordering the Top Tier later in the week with designs of adding a RIMS tube HEX and a control panel. If you've got the time and inclination to post pictures, I would love to see your adaptations. Thanks!

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Hey Andy777, have you ever gotten your system up and running? I'd like to see some pics of yours, if you get the chance. I've also been researching the do-it-yourself 3 tier modular stand, but the furthur along I get, the more I am leaning towards the Blichmann...

I was thinking of doing something similar. How often do you have to stir/mix the mash while on heat during the mash process? Is it hard to maintain the temp?

chuckger - love what you did with your stand. I've been looking at doing something similar & just ran across this thread. A couple of questions -

Any issue with stability using the 3in frame?
Do you know what the overall weight of it is?
Did you get wheels mounted?

I'm interested about the wheels too. I have the 3" mast and the legs, so I'm getting ready to assemble it and I would like to have wheels on it too, also where did you get the leveling feet?

This thread's about a year old... but I'm really interested in building this myself! I'd love some more detailed pics on the shelf mounting/support. It seems hard to imagine that curved sheet metal with a few bolts is holding up that weight. Is there something else in there?

So I now have my BrewTree set up with 4 burners, and 2 pumps. I can do 2 batches almost at the same time now with the 2 boiler tiers. As soon as the mash is done for the first batch I have the second batch doughed in usually before the first batch is boiling. With a 30 whirlpool for hop additions on the first batch last weekend I did 2 batches start to finish including cleanup in 6 hours. I was able to whirlpool the first batch for the extra 45 minutes while I was boiling the second batch, then crash them and one after another and transfer to fermenters. I love this stand it has shaved so much time of my brew day! I now have about $1200 wrapped up in the brewtree, and I will try to post a few pics of the newest system.

chuckger said:

Here is the finished product in action. I did a Cream Ale and a Blonde back to back in 7 hours including water heat time and clean up!!

Click to expand...

Hello,

I have a very similar system, but I am curious how you make this work without heating your mash tun to maintain heat? Or am I mistaken?

Can you give me the weight and dimensions on the blichman stand? I live in army barracks so I need something that is "light" as possible. Thanks

http://www.blichmannengineering.com/products/toptier-brew-stand-and-burners

this link has the size of the stand. 72 " tall. 48" wide at widest part.

Weight is dependent on # of burners. But, it is heavy. I have 2 burners and a shelf and I can only guess it goes 150 - 200 pounds. Again, just a guess.

THere are wheels on 2 of the legs to tip and roll it, but you don't want to go far or over to many bumps.

Hope this is helpful at least a bit.

to make the plunge to the Top Tier? or keep brewing with my hodge podge of folding tables, turkey burners, ...
The Top tier does look like a nice clean setup