Easy & Cheap Stainless Vent Hood

[stickyfinger]

I don't see why it wouldn't be fine. I doubt you'll even have any condensation on it if you have a big enough fan. though, it does have corners as opposed to the smooth bowl design. i don't think a 30" SS mixing bowl is very expensive either.

 

[schematix]

Hello all - great thread... lots of useful info! Can anyone tell me if there are any dangers or major drawbacks of using galvanized vs stainless for a hood application? i am working on my eBrewery design right now and I am considering using one of these as a hood... http://www.amazon.com/Behrens-35-Gallon-Round-Steel-Tub/dp/B002TR9FUI

Same general concept as using the stainless mixing bowl, the above mentioned tubs are about 30" in diameter though, vs the smaller diameter of the mixing bowls.

If it were under constant exposure the galvanized would eventually corrode. It is resistant to water, but is not suitable for continuous exposure. You'll be fine using it for your hood though.

 

[processhead]

I put together my version of the easy and cheap vent hood after looking over the options for my brewing area.

After ruling out a permanent blower installation, I opted for a system with a the hood and 6" duct work routed from my basement brewing area, through the wall, and out into my garage. The blower only gets connected on brew days.

I connect the blower to the wall duct outlet in the garage on brew-days with a piece of 6" flex duct. When I am done, the blower gets put away, and I cap the duct outlet on the garage wall. While the blower is running, the garage door gets cracked a foot to allow the fumes to escape outside

Today was the first full brew day with the new exhaust fan. It did a great job of keeping the humidity and odors in the basement under control.

The blower was purchased on ebay and was rated at 480 scfm. Everything else was bought from amazon.

 

[Rock_Toy]

I like this. Do you have a list of parts that you bought off AmaZON?

 

[processhead]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NG9FFI/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N98NSHC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I also bought hose clamps for this project off of Amazon, but can't find that product anymore.

You should be able to buy 6 inch hose clamps as well as flexible and rigid duct at almost any home center store.

 

[ballz50401]

For those of you interested, Instawares has a promo that involves free shipping for Winco products. You guys can pick up the 30 qt mixing bowl I used for $18.92 shipped. Looks like the promo ends on 5/29/15. Happy building!

http://www.instawares.com/Winco-30QT-Mixing-Bowl.WDI-MXB3000Q.0.7.htm

 

[h22lude]

I used my new fan and plastic box set up. It was leaking like crazy from the power box (pic attached) and a lot of condensation on the box. Anyone know how to fix this?

Also, the hose clamps didn't hold the 90 elbow on the fan. I should have taken a pic. My fan sits on top of the box and 90 elbow sits on top of that. The hose goes from that, down to the floor, runs along the floor then out my window. The clamp was as tight as I could get it. I could easily lift it off. Why?

View attachment 1431037179091.jpg

 

[stickyfinger]

You might need to put in a drain port so the condensation can run out of it. Are you running it at full power? that will help to get it out of the fan. if the clamp is tight, and it is coming off easily, it means that the clamp is squeezing down on the tubing or elbow but the elbow is not compressing against fan flange. it must be rigid tubing/elbow?

 

[h22lude]

Where would I put the drain port?

Yes the elbow is rigid. Should I use something else?

 

[stickyfinger]

does the fan flange poke through a hole in the top of the plastic tub? i haven't put in a drain port. maybe someone has a good idea for how to do it. i'm not sure if you want to put in a port on the "side" of the fan housing (the bottom on your setup) or just figure out a way to rotate the fan so it is blowing horizontally, and let it drip out the bottom where the housing comes together. regarding the elbow, you could try using some metal duct tape to hold it onto the fan flange. if they are not a perfect match, you can use some foam insulation to match the gap between the two. if that doesn't work, you can put in sheet metal screws AND use metal duct tape.

 

[h22lude]

Yes the fan sits on the box and the flange goes through a hole.

I could put the fan inline in the hose. I just figured putting it right above the steam, it would pull the steam easier

 

[stickyfinger]

I don't know what other people do when they mount it vertically for condensation removal. They must have a solution. I did mine horizontally, so I just let it drip out of the seam in the bottom into a small tray. You could try it horizontally and see how it goes.

 

[h22lude]

I think that's what I will try next. This is just a temporary solution until I get my set up in my basement. Just don't know how long that will be.

 

[campbem]

I just finished my build based off the SS mixing bowl. No idea why it uploads the image sideways.

I really like your setup....is it still working for you? Would you change anything? I'm thinking about doing this T as well...and is that 6 in duct? Fan size?

Thanks!
Mark C.

 

[adroc]

It works great, even on the coldest/hottest days I only have to run it at about 40% power.
Its all 8" duct and Im using this fan
http://www.amazon.com/iPower-GLFANXINLINE8-Ducting-Hydroponics-Applications/dp/B00CAHM75W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1438086858&sr=8-2&keywords=iPower+8%22+inch+INLINE+DUCT+FAN&pebp=1438086864016&perid=1MEKT2V8YVFGZTJPMTXP

 

[campbem]

wow...I knew that had to be larger than 6 inches (I know...that's what she said!)....I did a 6in hole and and plan on running a Vortex VTX600 inline fan with a variable controller. I think I am only running mine over the boil kettle to reduce bulkiness of system in my small brew room. Again, your system looks bullet-proof. I've attached where I am with mine. I'll update with pics as I'm starting to move more quickly.

Cheers!
Mark C.

 

[ballz50401]

Hey everyone. Keep your eyes open for October's issue of Brew Your Own magazine. I wrote an article for the "Projects" section about my SS Vent Hood.

 

[Peruvian802]

^^^I'll look for the article authored by 'ballz'.

 

[ballz50401]

^^^I'll look for the article authored by 'ballz'.

I used to play a lot of billards.

 

[adroc]

Can't wait to see some pics once you have everything setup and running.

wow...I knew that had to be larger than 6 inches (I know...that's what she said!)....I did a 6in hole and and plan on running a Vortex VTX600 inline fan with a variable controller. I think I am only running mine over the boil kettle to reduce bulkiness of system in my small brew room. Again, your system looks bullet-proof. I've attached where I am with mine. I'll update with pics as I'm starting to move more quickly.

Cheers!
Mark C.

 

[steveoatley]

Hey guys

Have any of you tried mounting the fan on a Movable arm?
Something where you could swing the fan out of the way ?

I have all my parts, and i am starting assembly, and i was wondering if anyone had tried?

I would like to mount mine so it could Move up - out of the way - when the kettle is not steaming

I was think if something like Drawer Pulls, but they would need to lock
in the up position.

Thx
S

 

[Ihop2many]

Hey guys

Have any of you tried mounting the fan on a Movable arm?
Something where you could swing the fan out of the way ?

Thx
S

Designing the most appropriate system will vary with need. If being able to move the fan out of the way is a priority for you, then go for it. Just remember that to achieve that flexibility you will probably need flexible ducting, which isn't the most efficient (lowest impedance) for moving air through it, so you may need a higher cfm motor or larger diameter ducting (plenty of previous comments in that area alone).

My system is a fixed 6" fan, 6" sheet metal ducting, 2x 45 deg bends, 1x 90 deg bend and it is very quiet and 'sucks' big time, way quieter than the furnace unit next to it. There's a lot of great experience, with examples, to be found in this thread and that helped me design something appropriate for my two primary objectives: efficiency and quietness.

So I don't think there's anything wrong with your plan, just make sure the primary goal of moving that steam out of there is achieved.

Best of luck on your journey.

 

[stickyfinger]

I have a Tjernlund M-6 from amazon.com:


http://www.tjernlund.com/Tjernlund_M-Series_Corded_High_Pressure_Fans_8504147_REV_B_0210.pdf

It sucks like a beast, but the system is a bit loud for me. I guess I'm picky. I use 6" metal duct with one 90-degree bend. It does the job completely, but there is condensation in the fan. I would go with 6" duct if possible. Flex duct is not ideal but can work. Why do you have to move it around? I just set mine up at the right height and leave it there all of the time. It's nice to have a solid, smooth-wall build that is just in place and ready to go.

 

[Ihop2many]

I have a Tjernlund M-6 from amazon.com:


http://www.tjernlund.com/Tjernlund_M-Series_Corded_High_Pressure_Fans_8504147_REV_B_0210.pdf

It sucks like a beast, but the system is a bit loud for me.

Hello stickyfinger,

I'm also using the Tjernlund M6 fan. If you were to suspend the fan in free air, unless there is a distorted blade I think you'll find the unit is balanced and pretty quiet considering the volume of air it is moving, at least this is the case for my unit. Noise is often inadvertently added when mounting to a structure (structure borne) and terminating into a complex impedance (ducting with bends). Minimizing structure borne noise could be achieved by suspending the unit via wire rope (my choice) or by using a floating isolation mount. Creating a gradual (air flow) path from the collection area into the fan is in my opinion the greatest challenge. Air turbulence around the duct/bowl entrance is what I'm hearing the most on my rig, while there is barely any mechanical noise or vibration coming from the fan housing.

Air turbulence at the bowl/duct connection is the price for utilizing this very cost efficient solution. Sharp transitions create noise. Professional condensing units would offer reduced noise for significantly greater investment but for me the bowl solution strikes a great balance between inconvenience vs investment (and it looks cool).

Note: I attempted to do some noise level measurements of a Panasonic bathroom exhaust vs my home brew exhaust but it looks like my sound pressure level meter is out of calibration, sorry.

 

[stickyfinger]

I think you're right about the bowl being the culprit. The fan itself is pretty reasonable. The system is a bit loud for me. It is acceptable though. I can still play music and have conversations fine. It just is a bit louder than I'd like. I like the simplicity and low cost, so it is fine for me. I also could just run it a little slower and put up with a little extra condensation.

 

[steveoatley]

Designing the most appropriate system will vary with need. If being able to move the fan out of the way is a priority for you, then go for it.
So I don't think there's anything wrong with your plan, just make sure the primary goal of moving that steam out of there is achieved.

Best of luck on your journey.

Ihop2many

I would be using the Flexible duct just for the section that the Fan would move.
I only need it to move about 24 inches up & down.
In the lowered position - it comes in right about EYE height for me.
When no in use, i'd like to move it up toward the ceiling - for storage
And so i don't bang my head into it......

I am thinking of Drawer Pulls, on a Ladder like frame to be able to raise and lower the Fan & Bowl into place

Just wondering if anyone else had luck with moving the vent/fan around.

Thanks
Steve

 

[steveoatley]

something like this would be cool

 

[steveoatley]

ballz50401

Where did you get the cool Home Brewer Sticker ?


S

 

[brettwasbtd]

something like this would be cool

You must contact Walter White for this setup...

 

[ballz50401]

ballz50401

Where did you get the cool Home Brewer Sticker ?


S

I purchased the small 2" x 6" Home Brewer decal from Brew Hardware.

https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/decalhomebrewer.htm