So before I get to the picturey goodness, I want to throw down some concept for this brewery build. First of all I wanted to go electric because I live in northern MN and it's cold here most of the year. I have recently decided that 5 gallon batches are too big for my consumption habits so I decided to build a 3 gallon system but If I decide to go back up to 5 gallons I wanted a system where that could easily be done. I also live in an apartment so I didn't want a designated brew stand. We built a pretty cheap counter top in the kitchen soon after moving in because there was no counter space. So I have decided I was going to brew there but It needs to disassemble quickly and easily. I have been using a cooler to brew in for a while and have never gotten a cooler to hold temp well so I wanted a recirculating mash system. We also only have 110v in the kitchen so I will use that.
So with these parameters this is what I will be working on. I am constructing a box out of wood that will house my control panel, pump and outlets. I will set my mash tun on top of this box so I can gravity feed my pump. from the pump it will be fed into the HERMS coil in the eHLT sitting next to the box and then of course back into the mash. The boil kettle will be built much later since I can boil in my eHLT until I can secure the funds to properly build my BK.
So onto the pictures.
First here is my existing mash tun. Simple 5 gallon round cooler from HD. cpvc manifold, ball valve and thermowell.
Next we have my eHLT. 7.5 gallon aluminum turkey fryer pot with a 1500watt HWD element and ball valve again. Insulated with reflectix which I think really does help me reach temps quicker(speculative).
The HERMS coil is incorporated into the lid so It can double as an IC since my HLT and future BK are the same pot.
Alright now let's talk automation. I have an Auber PID and RTD on its way. Should be here tomorrow hopefully. This PID will control the element in the HLT while the wort is circulating through the HERMS coil in the HLT. Power to the PID and pump will be controller via switches on the control panel. here is the wiring schematic I will be using. Pretty easy and straight forward. Again like so many other P-J was awesome and drew it up for me. We are all seriously lucky to have him as a member of our community.
and here are some shots of work being done on the control panel.
here it is all drilled out
and here it is with switches and lights
I have all my wood cut up to begin building the box. here is a shot of me laying it all to test how it all fits.
I will be constructing the box tomorrow and hopefully my auber order shows up so I can complete this build tomorrow.
So with these parameters this is what I will be working on. I am constructing a box out of wood that will house my control panel, pump and outlets. I will set my mash tun on top of this box so I can gravity feed my pump. from the pump it will be fed into the HERMS coil in the eHLT sitting next to the box and then of course back into the mash. The boil kettle will be built much later since I can boil in my eHLT until I can secure the funds to properly build my BK.
So onto the pictures.
First here is my existing mash tun. Simple 5 gallon round cooler from HD. cpvc manifold, ball valve and thermowell.
Next we have my eHLT. 7.5 gallon aluminum turkey fryer pot with a 1500watt HWD element and ball valve again. Insulated with reflectix which I think really does help me reach temps quicker(speculative).
The HERMS coil is incorporated into the lid so It can double as an IC since my HLT and future BK are the same pot.
Alright now let's talk automation. I have an Auber PID and RTD on its way. Should be here tomorrow hopefully. This PID will control the element in the HLT while the wort is circulating through the HERMS coil in the HLT. Power to the PID and pump will be controller via switches on the control panel. here is the wiring schematic I will be using. Pretty easy and straight forward. Again like so many other P-J was awesome and drew it up for me. We are all seriously lucky to have him as a member of our community.
and here are some shots of work being done on the control panel.
here it is all drilled out
and here it is with switches and lights
I have all my wood cut up to begin building the box. here is a shot of me laying it all to test how it all fits.
I will be constructing the box tomorrow and hopefully my auber order shows up so I can complete this build tomorrow.