Another Randal build!

I was fascinated by Randall the Enamel Animal, but didn't want to pay almost $400 for one. So, with a little help from McMaster-Carr, I have a working, two chamber animal clamped to my bar now.

The build included the following:

* 2 water filters from McMaster-Carr, part number 4422K32 (http://www.mcmaster.com/#water-filters/=9y3e9g). $25 plus shipping each.
* About one foot of 1" copper tubing. ~$5
* Male quick disconnect, http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=36_39&product_id=133
* Female quick disconnect, http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=36_39&product_id=135
* Hose ball valve, http://www.burlesquebrewing.com/shop.php
* Two 1/2" hose barbs
* 1/2" faucet
* 1/4" barb to 1/2" male thread, for attaching to a beverage line
* Hose clamps

All in all, this should cost less than $80, unless you want larger champers or a fancy faucet.

I have a video of it at: http://www.burlesquebrewing.com/episodes/randall.php

As an aside, the website above (burlesquebrewing.com) is something the wife and I are just starting. Completely safe for work, it will eventually be videos of my wife in fancy costumes brewing beer. And drinking beer. It was her idea, and how was I to say no to that?

caution

I can't watch the video from work, but is that copper tubing in the parts list what you used to make the center portion of the randal chamber?

If so, you might want to check out some data on the use of copper with beer that has finished fermenting. It's not recommended because the production of copper sulfate is possible, which is poisonous.

If you can get your hands on the center spear from a sanke keg, that would work well since it's stainless steel.

EDIT:

john palmer (I think) talks about it on the brew strong podcast:
http://thebrewingnetwork.com/shows/Brew-Strong/Brew-Strong-09-29-08-Metals-that-Affect-Your-Beer

Nice build

It is a copper tube, yes. Stainless is always nice, but given that every distillery in the world uses copper in their boilers and columns, as long as the beer doesn't change color I'm not worried. Thanks for the word of caution though--never drink anything that is greenish or bluish if it's encountered copper.

--edit--
listening to the podcast above, about a third of the way through one of the speakers says, "like copper, brass becomes inert to the wort". gonna listen to it a bit more, see if they mention copper again. thanks for the link!!

true, the distilleries use copper in the boilers and and columns, but I wonder if that's because the end result, the part that goes into your body, is what comes out of the coil and is a neutral pH, thus avoiding the potential problems of the liquid being in contact with the copper. (??) I really don't know. I do know that the FDA prohibits the use of any copper materials in the serving systems for beer, wine, and soda for this very reason.

Obviously, you are free to do what you want and you know the potential issue with copper, but others might not know it. I'm just trying to educate those that might want to copy your design.

I found a way to view the video from work. It looks great! I like the use of the second chamber to avoid the foaming issue. My buddy has a randal that he built, and the foam is a nuisance.

japhroaig said:

listening to the podcast above, about a third of the way through one of the speakers says, "like copper, brass becomes inert to the wort". gonna listen to it a bit more, see if they mention copper again. thanks for the link!!

Click to expand...

From what I have read, copper is not a problem before fermentation, and is actually good for the yeast. It's just when the beer is done and has an more acidic pH that the issue with copper comes up.

Point taken, and thanks for the compliment More knowledge is always a great thing, and I'll make sure I have that explained clearly as well.

japhroaig said:

Point taken, and thanks for the compliment More knowledge is always a great thing, and I'll make sure I have that explained clearly as well.

Click to expand...

No problem. I might have a length of stainless pipe (sanke spear) that you can have if you want it.

I am going to build my own randal. I have the water filter housing and just acquired a stainless sanke spear. I think the spear is long enough to make two center tubes and I only need one.

they are fun, and the valves + disconnects make it sooo much easier to use. i have them on temporary stands right now, but i think it's pretty obvious how to make those look better. the only other thing i'd really like to add is a beverage valve--right now you fill it up by putting on the ball lock