Thanks for all the discussion, I Just order a small BIAC, delivered January. In the mean time I am making a PID controller (Overkill) to pass the time. I will update my progress.
KnotAByte
What are y'all doing for oxygenation in the thing? While there's some shaking going on in one of the videos posted, that's not gonna cut it for most of us.
I was hoping to keep it part of the closed system, so I was looking at morebeer's tri clover diffusion stone wand, but it's only 6", and that won't do coming down in from the lid. An inline set-up with the pump connecting the racking port to the lid is one option, but it's expensive and seemingly a pain in the ass.
Thoughts?
How are you guys cleaning your 3-in-1? Trying to figure out an econominal way without using too much water to fill it for soaking. Anybody using a CIP ball? Soaking/recirculating with the full 20 gal? Less?
I've used the olive oil method and haven't found it to negatively affect the final product. My plan is to gear up a triclover connection that extends from the lid, down into the wort with a diffuser stone. I'll have a connection on top to attach o2.
Have you found a wand-clover fitting that's long enough (I haven't), or do you mean you're going to set one up via welding/compression? Asking because this beast should be arriving on Monday!
Personally, I'd prefer something that drops in from the top and doesn't require recirculation. The recirculation is just one more step, and more cleaning. Having something that you can drop directly into the wort from above seems like the most simple method to me.
I have verified that the extra dryer outlet that I have in the basement has power and is connected to a 30 amp breaker. Unfortunately it is in the finished part of my basement. I'm sure I can get it rewired back to where I want to brew, but is there any way I can run a 240 volt extension cord on this system? I probably need 20 -30 feet. It looks like the extension cords on amazon would just extend the heating element from the box. I would need one to get the box away from my existing outlet.
You could rig up a spa panel with as long a cord as you need and get a gfci also.
(Story of my life, amirite?)
No photos yet (but do you really want to see my apartment's laundry room? nah), but mine arrived today (a week later than scheduled, after some issues with the Canadian shipping company, sadly).
Unpacked and set it up. Couldn't help but think I wish I had bought it six weeks earlier, as the crave would have made a great coffin Halloween decoration with almost no work!
Got it running in no time at all and was recirculating PBW through the system to get it nice and clean. Got up to 120 quickly, and let it run there for 15-20 minutes. Standing next to it with the element going and the pump running, talking to my wife on the phone, she couldn't hear a thing. Obviously louder at boil, but damn I think I'm going to like electric brewing.
I put a butterfly valve on the bottom, attached a barb to that, and was set to drain it off into some buckets. Good thing I had extras with me: the clamp for the barb was placed perfectly such that it locked the valve handle into open. Whoops!
I can only echo what everyone else has said: well-designed, well-made, and it takes up almost no space. Glided across the floor with 15 gallons inside super easy. Gonna brew a Vienna malt session IPA sometime this weekend, will post some photos of the beast in action!
I'm ordering 2 large BIACs and 4 additional 3 in 1 units.
Here is a better option:
http://conical-fermenter.com/SPOX-Oxygenation-Aeration-Assembly.html
That is amazing! I have to see pics of this set up! Congrats!
It seems you could just attach this to the bottom of the conical on the far side of the valve, open the valve, turn on O2 for 30 sec (or whatever), then turn off O2, close valve and clean up. Seems simpler than a drop in solution to me. Would do it prior to yeast pitch obviously. Thoughts?
Wait. Excuse my ignorance but how does one of these work? Would it simply go on the outlet and then you would recirculate for a minute while oxygenating? That sounds like a nice closed loop setup.
Is there a way to whirlpool in the BIAC? Is it even necessary? I'm wondering about hop steeping with ipa's. Usually I whirlpool them in my boil kettle to keep them suspended. Could I recirculate from the bottom and then back in through the racking port?
Not determined at all. In fact not whirl pooling would eliminate another step. I wonder if a set up like this would work for cooling View attachment 241677
Like you said, you could just recirculate from the dump valve to the racking valve. I've done this once with an IPA but clogged the system up. Since this I've been just steeping without whirlpooling and still getting the same effect. Larger opening valves (butterfly) may help if you're determined to do a whirlpool.
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