Introducing the BrewKart

[bmbrewery]

Awesome, I love the small footprint using the SS cart.

Maybe this is a silly question; but how do you clean it all out when you're done?

 

[Jewrican]

this is awesome! i love it!

 

[thorongil]

Maybe this is a silly question; but how do you clean it all out when you're done?

It's actually easy to clean. The threaded unions make disconnecting the pots a snap. I clean out the mash tun during the boil, and when I'm circulating the ice water to chill, that takes care of a good part of it. After I clean the kettle, I'll fill with OxyClean solution and recirculate through everything, and follow that up with a StarSan rinse.

 

[PacBrau]

Amazing system. :rockin:

I'm still a backyard type brewer w/ mix of barely usable equipment. I've bookmarked for dreaming purposes.

Nice props in AHA article. You mention scaling down to 4 gallon batches. Does this give you quicker boil times/efficiency or is 4 gallons just a better volume for you. Can the elements keep up okay if you want to boil 5 or 6 gallons?

Great write up and thanks for sharing. Definately subscribed! Please keep us updated as to your progress.

Cheers

Tony

~PacBrau

 

[thorongil]

5 gallons is about the max that the 2000W heating element can boil. I wanted to stick with a 120V system, so this was the biggest element I could go with. I start with 5 gallons pre-boil unusually end up with 4 in the fermenter.

 

[dboblitt]

How did you plumb the valve on the mash tun to the false bottom? I am planning on building something very similar and have been wondering how the domed false bottom works in the stainless pot.

 

[thorongil]

How did you plumb the valve on the mash tun to the false bottom? I am planning on building something very similar and have been wondering how the domed false bottom works in the stainless pot.

I also have a half coupler on the bottom to allow it to draw more wort.

 

[PacBrau]

5 gallons is about the max that the 2000W heating element can boil. I wanted to stick with a 120V system, so this was the biggest element I could go with. I start with 5 gallons pre-boil unusually end up with 4 in the fermenter.

Thanks for the reply! Love the system! If SWMBO ever lets me brew in the house again, I'll be referencing your system.

Cheers

 

[BrewBeemer]

I was kicked out of the house from a little spill on the stove, well rather a massive boil over.

 

[thorongil]

I brew in my office... would never even try to enter the kitchen...

 

[thorongil]

Important safety note for those building a similar control panel: As some of you let me know via PM, the e-stop is not rated to handle the full amp load of the system. And, sure enough, it burnt out on me. No damage done, other than to the e-stop itself, but it was clearly not a good situation. After doing some research, I decided to add this contactor to the design to make it safe (as it should have been all along).

Since I needed more space, I decided to upgrade the panel as well. Got an amazing deal on Ebay, and here's what she looks like now:

 

[Caucasian]

Any reason the cart is stainless? Would like to build something like this but for a little cheaper.

 

[thorongil]

Any reason the cart is stainless? Would like to build something like this but for a little cheaper.

Easy to clean... durable... shiny... bling...