Search results

I'm using PET/Better Bottles now, not so fond of glass after a friend had an incident. The probe goes into a thermopile from Brewhardware.com, and it works great. The heater is on about 20% of the time with lager temps, and maybe 30% of the time with low ale temps (62-65). It turns out to work...

I have a 14.7 ft3 chest freezer that I purchased for using as a fermentation chamber, but realized that I could actually put some corny kegs in there at serving temp. I have rigged up some carboy "coozies" using Reflectix along with Fermwrap heaters that work very well in keeping my fermentation...

I've just introduced a new app that runs on a Raspberry Pi (B or B+) that monitors temperature, humidity and door open events. If these conditions are out of range, it can send an alarm notification to specified email addresses or to smart phones via SMS text messages. More info here...

Hi everyone. I've developed an application to monitor temperature and humidity and door access in my wine cellar and keezer/fermentation chamber using the Raspberry Pi. This application is based on the design principles of the BrewPi, but it does not currently control temp. However, it only...

Especially with alternating current! :D

You might check with your water district for levels of key ions like Ca2+, Mg2+, SO4-2, Cl-, carbonate and pH. The value of pH 5.2 buffer has been strongly questioned, so it could be worth your while to look at this more closely. If in doubt, brew with bottled water or better, RO water with...

What is in your water (e.g. Ca2+, Mg2+, TA levels), and what was your mash pH? pH can have a large impact on diastatic enzyme activity if it is outside of the optimal range (5.1-5.4).

Seems to me you could use Tob's method to control gas flow to the burner. Better yet, you could use a Maxitrol modulating gas valve, as is used in variable output furnaces: http://www.supplyhouse.com/Maxitrol-M511-1-2-1-2-Modulating-Gas-Valve For these, I believe you still need a solenoid...

It might be worth checking out the thread here on the Strangebrew Elsinore: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f170/new-strangebrew-elsinore-thread-475456/ Doug Edey has developed the software to run on a Raspberry Pi for controlling mash temps, etc. It is still a project in progress, but it seems...

So I had a chance to take apart the sensor to figure out how it works. It does not use a load cell/strain gauge. Instead, it appears to use three Hall effect sensors with three magnets. The inside ring is under the tension of three springs, and when a heavy item (e.g. a propane tank) is place on...

I get 19 gallons based on your dimensions, assuming these are the inside dimensions. My Concord 80 quart tri-ply also holds about 19 gallons to the brim. I have had no trouble with leaking rivets, and was told it is induction ready (haven't tried it though). I'll check with a magnet.

Sorry if I missed this in this HUGE thread.... Has anyone figured out a way to use the BrewPi temp logs to send an SMS message if the temp is too high or too low? In my case, I'm more interested in building a second BrewPi to monitor/control my 600 bottle wine cabinet, but I could see this...

They do have the steamer tray, which sits about 3" off the bottom, which is probably sufficient clearance for a heater element just below it. I received this when I purchased my Concord 80 qt Tri-ply kettle from their warehouse. It's the perfect height for BIAB, since it sits just over the...

That's funny! ;) I'm enjoying the story, though I do feel your pain, Akthor. As they say, keep on keepin' on. We're all rooting for you.

I've had RPi WiFi stability issues as well, though not on my BrewPi. I have a OpenSprinkler Pi controlling sprinklers in the back yard, and I lose WiFi connections to this every week or so. My BrewPi is hardwired using Cat5e connected to my LAN, so it's never an issue. In any event, there are a...

Did you mash out, and if so, at what temp? Astringency is associated with temps above 170F with the grain though your mash pH looked okay (it's also associated with high pH). I also agree that the long wait before pitching could also be an issue. This is just an invitation for wild bugs to get...

Wow, 42C in your shed. That is about 107F, right?

Josh: I'd be interested to see your hardware method. I agree that doing it in software might be better since it would be possible to incorporate this into the PID logic, associate priorities for different heating loads (e.g. lower priority for boil vs. mash, etc). I'm just really curious...

Doug - great work on this! I'm very impressed by your work on Strangebrew Elsinore. I'm just wondering how folks handle multiple heater elements on a single controller, especially if power is limited to say 30A. On a typical rig, you might have an HLT and boil kettle with elements, and perhaps a...

That looks amazing, Bobby! Of course, not a surprise given your excellent work. So, for using to maintain mash temps, how would you use the kettle lid? I guess one could notch the lid so that the heat stick could sit along the side with the lid on. Or, perhaps a tubing bender could be used to...