3 Tier Strut Stand

[salz]

I'm starting to design a 3 tier stand using strut.
My goal is to make the smallest stand possible so it does't take up too much room when not in use. So far the foot print is about 3' wide x 4'9" height.
My plan is to create some kind of quick disconnect system to move a single burner under any 3 pots/tiers. (yeah, I have welding gloves to move the burner) In the future I'll add more burners for convenience.

• I am using slotted strut, the slots are not visualized here, it would take me longer to visualize them.

• I still need to figure out the orientation of the strut to best connect to each other.

• the connects I colored blue, to better stand out & get a sense of how many/kind to purchase

• Any ideas on how to create a "quick connect" burner under each pot? I have a Bayou Classic burner

• looking for any other suggestions & comments. Thanks!

http://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/images/2/0/8/0/0/8/top-65412.jpg

http://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/images/2/0/8/0/0/8/bottom-65413.jpg

 

[ChuckO]

Only suggestion, on the top of the stand have the horizontal members sitting on the verticals rather than having them attach to the side of the vertical. That way the load is not as dependent upon the corner fastener.

 

[stratslinger]

Another comment, and a question or two:

On your horizontal square and rectangle bits (on the base, and each tier, etc), it looks like you don't have any connectors on those corners, except for those attaching the horizontal to the vertical members. To me, that seems an oversight - but maybe someone with more experience with strut can say otherwise.

The main question I have, is why are you looking for QD's for your burners? Why not just attach a black pipe manifold and hard plumb the burners to that and be done with it? This is the first time I think I've seen anyone looking for burner QD's, so I'm curious as to your plans with them.

 

[salz]

ChuckO- great suggestion, thanks!

Strateslinger- I'm looking for a way to easily move and connect the burner under each kettle. The burner will be attached to the same flexible gas line the entire time.

I want to move a single burner under each kettle depending on the stage of my brewing. Heating water, I'll have the burner under the top kettle. Need to bring up the heat on the mash, place the burner under the middle kettle. Start boiling the wort, place the burner under the bottom kettle. I only have one burner at the moment and little $

I think I have each strut end attached with hardware. I provided 2 other links to image angle references. I'll have to take a closer look.

 

[Brauer]

You could attach the burner to a small piece of strut. Then underneath each tier leave two longer bolts hanging down. Slide the strut over the bolts, throw a washer and wingnut on the bottom side. When I was a commercial electrician we used to build everything out of this stuff.

 

[decoleur]

That burner will get hot, I would not want to move it and try to re-attach it elsewhere. I am dangerous enough on a brew day and I wouldn't touch this with a ten foot pole.

Also you can make the platforms lower if you like, the bottom of one pot only has to be higher than the highest water level of the pot below it.

Are you going to use a pump, if so where will it be?

Which pot is which? does it go (from top to bottom) HLT, MT, BK?
Are you really planning on direct firing the MT?

This could be a pretty compact 2 burner system, I like your drawings, look a lot better than my napkin.

Just some thoughts, I hope you enjoy your build!

 

[salz]

I am not using a pump at the moment. This is a gravity feed system. You have it correct, from top to bottom (HLT, MT, BK)

I will add a pump when I have the $ to upgrade to a RIMs system.

Flame under the MT- I have not had to do this yet and would also worry about it. I know people who do successfuly, just to adjust the temp slightly but that debate warrants another thread.

 

[dfess1]

You could attach some strut to both sides of the burner. Then get some C channel that is just larger than the strut, and mount that under each shelf. Take your burner/strut fixture and slide it under whatever shelf you are trying to heat. Kind of like how an oven grate/shelf works. Don't have to hold anything hot while you spin up a wingnut, etc. You could even use a really long piece of strut and attach some handles to it.

 

[Transamguy77]

You can buy the burners cheap on eBay, I bought 3 bg10 burners for $45 shipped and built a gas manifold for cheap ($50-75 if I remember) you can use the whip hose and regulator off your current burner. I would not want to be moving a hot burner around on a brew day.

I built a 3 tier and I like that I don't have to move anything around or pick stuff up, using gravity makes it very simple. My BK is higher up so I can fit a bucket under it.