First off sorry for the long post. You can just go look at my photos and tell me what you think about the layout before I build cabinets.
I recently purchased a partially built system. I'm SUPER excited to get this thing up and running, thanks Kal for all your hard work and attention to detail. The problem is I'm a little tight on space and don't really have an easy optimal layout. I've added photos of my space to get some opinions.
The end tables are to hold the kegs up but will most likely build a counter a little bit higher so I have plenty of room to look inside and stir grains. Ladder is to hold up the control panel, I plan on mounting it 1-2 feet higher. Electrical outlet is just to the right of the control panel in the groove between wall and cabinet.
I was going to have the BK next to the door so I could open the window and the door for ventilation, I have a great cross breeze, maybe have a simple fan. Now I am thinking about switching the HLT and BK so I can install a cheap non ducted hood (brewed under one for years and seemed to work) or possibly run ducting to the door and open it for brewing. As you can see there really isn't a good way to have the BK next to the door and install a hood over it with that window there.
I purchased kettles with valves installed, in on mash is not in optimal place, I could use right angle elbow or move it and plug previous hole.
A big area of concern is the control panel being very close to BK steam. One option is buying a swivel mount so I could swivel it further to the right out of the way then swivel it back when not brewing.
One last option is to move the set up to the opposite wall. I would have a lot more walking space and it wouldn't be too close to the door which opens outwards. Plenty of room to add ventilation there. Issue here is I would prefer to keep the control panel where I originally had it but would mean custom long cables for heating elements, pumps, and temp probes. Easiest and cheapest way would be a custom power cable and have the control panel on the same wall as the kettles. That would make it tight on space again with the control panel so I'd have to decide if I wanted the BK next to the door with the control panel or the HLT next to the door and the BK further away from the door.
I'm definitely over thinking it all but wanted to get opinions. Also threw in a photo of my custom salt water fish tank bar I built eight years ago and my projector set up before I mounted any of it (just moved into the place).
Thanks,
Allen
I recently purchased a partially built system. I'm SUPER excited to get this thing up and running, thanks Kal for all your hard work and attention to detail. The problem is I'm a little tight on space and don't really have an easy optimal layout. I've added photos of my space to get some opinions.
The end tables are to hold the kegs up but will most likely build a counter a little bit higher so I have plenty of room to look inside and stir grains. Ladder is to hold up the control panel, I plan on mounting it 1-2 feet higher. Electrical outlet is just to the right of the control panel in the groove between wall and cabinet.
I was going to have the BK next to the door so I could open the window and the door for ventilation, I have a great cross breeze, maybe have a simple fan. Now I am thinking about switching the HLT and BK so I can install a cheap non ducted hood (brewed under one for years and seemed to work) or possibly run ducting to the door and open it for brewing. As you can see there really isn't a good way to have the BK next to the door and install a hood over it with that window there.
I purchased kettles with valves installed, in on mash is not in optimal place, I could use right angle elbow or move it and plug previous hole.
A big area of concern is the control panel being very close to BK steam. One option is buying a swivel mount so I could swivel it further to the right out of the way then swivel it back when not brewing.
One last option is to move the set up to the opposite wall. I would have a lot more walking space and it wouldn't be too close to the door which opens outwards. Plenty of room to add ventilation there. Issue here is I would prefer to keep the control panel where I originally had it but would mean custom long cables for heating elements, pumps, and temp probes. Easiest and cheapest way would be a custom power cable and have the control panel on the same wall as the kettles. That would make it tight on space again with the control panel so I'd have to decide if I wanted the BK next to the door with the control panel or the HLT next to the door and the BK further away from the door.
I'm definitely over thinking it all but wanted to get opinions. Also threw in a photo of my custom salt water fish tank bar I built eight years ago and my projector set up before I mounted any of it (just moved into the place).
Thanks,
Allen