Cheap Hopper Extension

[brettwasbtd]

So I am kinda surprised I hadn't seen anyone else post this, or maybe its just to obvious so no one has. Here is the post from my blog. Let me know your thoughts, questions, or concerns!

Cheap Hopper Extension for Barley Crusher

I purchased a Barley Crusher almost 2 years ago. It is a great addition to my all grain brewing equipment. The crusher allows me to store grain unmilled, thus preserving freshness. The mill also allows me to not rely on or worry about estimating efficiency from a homebrew store. When I made the purchase, I was to frugal to spend the extra $15-$20 to get the 15lb Hopper. It the grand scheme of things, it is not a huge deal to have to pour half your grain and mill, stop, and the pour the other half. But it would be nice I thought...

After putting my thinking cap on I figured, why not just make one myself out of cardboard? I had a couple of boxes in the garage from online shopping and some SWEET Colored Duck Tape my mom had given me for my birthday! I measured and the hopper was not a perfect square. It was about 8"x8.5" - Just so happened one of my boxes was 8x8x12. I cut the 8 inch sides and left the folded part. The folded pieces would be cut on an so they would lay flat on the angled parts of my current 7lb hopper (see the picture to follow what Im saying). I then cut the 12" sections to 8.5" leaving the flap as well. Then I taped it all up and placed in the hopper to make taping adjustments. The design assumes that the weight of the grain on the flaps will keep the hopper in place... I have NOT test this yet

(Extension laying flat for easy storage)

(extension on top of 7lb hopper)

The Extension itself its 8"x8.5"x8" which comes out to 544 inches cubed. A pound of barley takes up about 46.2 inches cubed. So this roughly gives the extension a capacity of ~11.77 lbs (544/46.2). So to be safe we will say my total hopper (original 7 lb hopper and extension) can probably hold a total of 17-18lbs. Most recipes I brew don't come in that high. but I will be sure to test this extension out next brewday and report back.

 

[porterpounder]

Duct tape really CAN do anything.

 

[oo7cable]

Mythbusters has proven it time and time again....

 

[heckels]

Ok, so this doesn't fit into the "as-cheap", but what if you followed something along these lines with tin and then riveted full-length hinges in place of the duct tape. Makes it a little more rigid and should hold up better than cardboard.

 

[jusware]

A buddy told me a box of Cherios from costco fits on it perfectly.

 

[sarsnik]

Ok, so this doesn't fit into the "as-cheap", but what if you followed something along these lines with tin and then riveted full-length hinges in place of the duct tape. Makes it a little more rigid and should hold up better than cardboard.

Use some aluminum flashing, or galvanized. Would still be cheap, albeit not as cheap as cardboard.

 

[brettwasbtd]

Tin, or aluminum flashing would def not be as cheap, and also, if I understand the application correctly would not be foldable? I was looking for an extension with minimal space requirements during storage.

 

[brettwasbtd]

Used it on Saturday - worked great! maybe 4 or 5 grains stuck to the duck tape and needed to be flicked off

 

[heckels]

Tin, or aluminum flashing would def not be as cheap, and also, if I understand the application correctly would not be foldable? I was looking for an extension with minimal space requirements during storage.

If you hinged all 4 corners it should be foldable just like the duct tape acts as a hinge. I would guess you'd pay close to $15+ for hinges though.

 

[rustym]

Ok...the real question is why your Mom gave you duct tape for your birthday!!!

Seriously, that's a great idea and one I will implement asap!