45L batch brew machine

[scaryeyes]

A testrun with PBW just for testing.

 

[wyzazz]

Now I have brewed the first one. Works just fine. Sorry for a crappy pic and unoganized bathroom

I want more details! I'm glad everything went well, she is a thing of beauty! How was the heat below the skirt?

 

[scaryeyes]

Hi
It worked just fine, exept for some minor drawbacks. But not as bad it couldnt be fixed.The heat under the skirt was not a problem at all. I think I have some energy loss with this setup, but I dont care if I loose one dollar or maybe two in electrical power. Its a very smooth process. But its little heavy to lift the malt pipe when i start recirculate from the top. I think I need to build a small crane for lifting. Some kind of telfer. And a filter on the pipe that takes the wort from the bottom inside of the kettle can be a good idea. I had an hour of work cleaning the cooler of some malt that accidently got out from the malt pipe and into the kettle and hop pellets. Im gonna use a hop bag next time. But that setup with a plate heatexchanger when I transfer the wort back inside is very good. I then create a wirlpool at the same time I cool the wort.

 

[klyph]

Very nice, I love these integrated units.

 

[scaryeyes]

I have now modified it a little and Im gonna brew next week again. I have a family, so im not very fast when I do things. Familys dont like hobbies.
I now on to another thing thats not very liked at home.... Bottlefiller. Last time there was blood everywere! But my wife is going home to mexico for a month......
Its gonna be an automatic counterpreasure bottlefiller. Dont we all want that??????

 

[wyzazz]

Better start a new thread for that one!

 

[scaryeyes]

Yea. Think so.....

 

[passedpawn]

I'm intrigued by the stainless steel bling on the... toilet. Sad, I know, but that is something new. (that's not your mash tun? Fly sparging from the tank?)

 

[smpow]

Wow, this is awesome. I love some of the sweet DIY projects that people make happen.

 

[scaryeyes]

I'm intrigued by the stainless steel bling on the... toilet. Sad, I know, but that is something new. (that's not your mash tun? Fly sparging from the tank?)

fun

 

[JKoravos]

All the welding and stainless work and you put it on a wooden stand! C'mon, weld some stainless legs and fancy casters onto that beast!

 

[scaryeyes]

I like wood. Its furniture. No need to make things too advanced. Anyone should be able to copy.

 

[JKoravos]

I like wood. Its furniture. No need to make things too advanced. Anyone should be able to copy.

Not too advanced? Oh, the irony!!!

I like the use of the electric range elements. I'm building my system around range elements as well. I thought I had a unique idea, i hadn't seen anyone else do it before this post.

 

[scaryeyes]

Yea. All is already done. We were born too late. Ha ha

 

[scaryeyes]

So now I had a few brews here and it works ok. But one thing is the plate chiller. Always trub and stuff from the malt and hops get stuck. I need to make a filter. Now the construction dont allow just to put a filter before the chiller. So Im gonna re construct the plombing.
And 45 litre batches was just a little too optimistic. 35 to 38 is more in the area that can be done. But when I have more space Im gona think more of a sparge filter. To pump, with high pressure, the whole mash from the mash tun to the boiler through a sparge filter.

 

[wyzazz]

So now I had a few brews here and it works ok. But one thing is the plate chiller. Always trub and stuff from the malt and hops get stuck. I need to make a filter. Now the construction dont allow just to put a filter before the chiller. So Im gonna re construct the plombing.
And 45 litre batches was just a little too optimistic. 35 to 38 is more in the area that can be done. But when I have more space Im gona think more of a sparge filter. To pump, with high pressure, the whole mash from the mash tun to the boiler through a sparge filter.

Try a Hop Spider, it works great, I even recirculate through my plate chiller with no issues.

 

[scaryeyes]

Ok... I modifyed a piece of mosquito net. Put it under the sparge plate. Im gonna see what happens tomorrow. Its gonna be a back to basics pilsner

 

[scaryeyes]

Long time, lots of modifications!
These days I have a 52 gal system with a pressure fermenting tank.
But I still use this small brewmachine frequently. Like small special brew batches. I now have a much bigger mash tun, that sits on top of the boiler kettle. I circulate the wort continously throughout the brew.
I also moved out from the toilet....... I will keep on posting some pics here if someone think its useful

 

[wyzazz]

Post up them pics!

 

[AkTom]

Please do post more pics.
Thanks

 

[scaryeyes]

OK Will do! Ill take some when I get to the brewhouse next time!

 

[Paps]

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