5 Thumbs Brew Sculpture

[diatonic]

So, a Love controller for the HLT and MLT... is the 3rd for the BK? Are you just using it as a thermometer?

 

[willynilly]

So, a Love controller for the HLT and MLT... is the 3rd for the BK? Are you just using it as a thermometer?

Good question

 

[5_Thumbs]

Accomplished a lot today. We completed a lot of the gas plumbing, control panel wiring and added the fittings to the pumps.

Stainless steel is purty!

BRUTUS IS ALIVE!!!!!!!

 

[5_Thumbs]

So, a Love controller for the HLT and MLT... is the 3rd for the BK? Are you just using it as a thermometer?

Glad you asked! The third Love controller will be used for automatically turning off the pump when the wort reaches the desired chilling temperature.

While the 3rd Love controller is not necessary, it just a feature like the third solenoid valve for the boil kettle.

 

[Lonnie Mac]

Accomplished a lot today. We completed a lot of the gas plumbing, control panel wiring and added the fittings to the pumps.

Stainless steel is purty!

BRUTUS IS ALIVE!!!!!!!

My GAWD I am loving this machine! This is looking great!!!!

 

[pickles]

is the logo applied vinyl or painted?

 

[5_Thumbs]

is the logo applied vinyl or painted?

The logo was blasted into the stainless steel using a water jet. There is currently a black piece of stainless steel behind the logo. We are considering backlighting the logo, but haven't made a definitive decision.

 

[pickles]

Oh thats badass!

 

[SouthernYankee]

Im loving that control panel. It has a nice and clean look to it. It isnt too large and has the nice temp system.

Well done!

 

[lehr]

Very nice !

Pat

 

[ILOVEBEER]

Awesome is not even close to describing your machine. I need a TIG attachment for my welder!

 

[diatonic]

I want a TIG welder, and the water-jet machine you used to cut the panel! That is sweet!

If it was me, and keep in mind that I'm half crazy, I'd replace the black steel behind the logo with frosted glass or poly... then use different colored LEDs or bulbs to make it glow different depending on where you are in the brewing process. Maybe red when HLT or MLT heat is being applied, blue when chilling, use your imagination. Wholly both unnecessary, and fun.

 

[Ghouseguy]

I like you're idea diaotnic...I'm the "brew buddy" frequently refered to...co-owner of the 5-Thumbs version of Brutus. I was thinking of a simple EL (electroluminescent) panel, but since we commonly brew on bright sunny days, i'm worried the EL panel would not be bright enough to even notice the affect. Still working on ideas...but I think the panel needs some more lighting. Thanks to all for all the positive comments, it certainly is motivating!

 

[5_Thumbs]

We finally finished our Brutus Clone this week and did a couple water test runs. Today was the inaugural batch, which we named Primus Pale Ale!!! We have a few small kinks to work out, but overall it was a successful brew session. We'd love to her your thoughts on the finished product or suggestions to improve it. (The keggle lids still need to be polished)

 

[nbspindel]

man, that's nice. I'm working on mine right now. A few Q's for ya. I just got one of those burners.
1. how far below the skirt of the keg does the burner sit? did you like it on the test run?
2. how deep are the shields around the burners, looks like 5" or so.
3. Do you think the holes in the shield are necessary, or that many even?

on the stand: do you think the metal stops are necessary to hold your keggles in place? I figure the weight of them alone should keep them from slipping, unless you got someone trying to push them off, which would just be silly.

Thanks, and keep up the updates and alterations you make to improve the rig; i'll be following closely!

 

[ILOVEBEER]

It looks very nice....the only thing that is iffy is the fire extinguisher right next to the burner. If your burners put out alot of conductive/radiant heat (your banjo's burn way hotter than mine) as mine do......overheating that extinguisher could spell trouble.

I hate to sound like a stupid ricky rescue but:
Each extinguisher should be installed away from potential fire hazards such as heating appliances.

I'd hate for that thing to fail over repeated heatings and you or your kids get hurt....just a thought

Joe

 

[GreenMonti]

I think it came out very well. You guys did a bang up job.


Hows the condensate with those lids like that? Is there a lot that runs down the sides?

 

[5_Thumbs]

man, that's nice. I'm working on mine right now. A few Q's for ya. I just got one of those burners.
1. how far below the skirt of the keg does the burner sit? did you like it on the test run?
2. how deep are the shields around the burners, looks like 5" or so.
3. Do you think the holes in the shield are necessary, or that many even?

on the stand: do you think the metal stops are necessary to hold your keggles in place? I figure the weight of them alone should keep them from slipping, unless you got someone trying to push them off, which would just be silly.

Thanks, and keep up the updates and alterations you make to improve the rig; i'll be following closely!

I'll have to measure to answer questions #1 and #2 above, but 5" is likely close. The burners are crazy hot and you have to really turn them down to avoid a boil over once you get the wort to 212 degrees. The holes in the heat shield are necessary to allow the flames to get enough oxygen. We get a good blue flame, but I am far from an expert if that many are necessary.

The metal stops are more for keeping the keggle centered on the burner, but the added safety of an easy bump not causing an accidential spill is also nice.

 

[5_Thumbs]

It looks very nice....the only thing that is iffy is the fire extinguisher right next to the burner. If your burners put out alot of conductive/radiant heat (your banjo's burn way hotter than mine) as mine do......overheating that extinguisher could spell trouble.

I hate to sound like a stupid ricky rescue but:
Each extinguisher should be installed away from potential fire hazards such as heating appliances.

I'd hate for that thing to fail over repeated heatings and you or your kids get hurt....just a thought

Joe

Yeah, we already realized we have to take out the fire extinguisher when firing up the boil keggle.

 

[5_Thumbs]

I think it came out very well. You guys did a bang up job.


Hows the condensate with those lids like that? Is there a lot that runs down the sides?

Thanks for the kind comments. We actually didn't experience any condensation coming down the side of the lids.

 

[Ricand]

Awesome job on the Brutus, did you fabricate the lids? Could I see a look down shot of them, I need to do something for covers and these look good.

 

[Lonnie Mac]

We finally finished our Brutus Clone this week and did a couple water test runs. Today was the inaugural batch, which we named Primus Pale Ale!!! We have a few small kinks to work out, but overall it was a successful brew session. We'd love to her your thoughts on the finished product or suggestions to improve it.

Thoughts on the finished product or suggestions to improve it? You must be on crack! Buddy, you have taken Brutus to a new "art" level with this thing. Most excellent job! Stealing pics for my website now...

 

[GreenMonti]

Thanks for the kind comments. We actually didn't experience any condensation coming down the side of the lids.

Nice. I thought you would have had condensate run out of the weep holes on the kegs. That's sweet if you didn't.

 

[5_Thumbs]

Nice. I thought you would have had condensate run out of the weep holes on the kegs. That's sweet if you didn't.

If you are referring the "weep holes" near the top of the keg and slightly below the handles, they were welded shut on all three keggles.

 

[ScottyBones]

beautiful stand!

 

[NoNothing]

That looks amazing man! I want the shiny!

 

[GreenMonti]

If you are referring the "weep holes" near the top of the keg and slightly below the handles, they were welded shut on all three keggles.

I am. I didn't catch that they were welded shut. Thank you.


Edit; I went back and looked at your pics....I see it now.

 

[5_Thumbs]

nbspindel: the answer to your remaining questions are below:
1. how far below the skirt of the keg does the burner sit? did you like it on the test run? 3.5 inches
2. how deep are the shields around the burners, looks like 5" or so. 3.25 inches, they are removable and fit tightly around the banjo burner

 

[5_Thumbs]

Awesome job on the Brutus, did you fabricate the lids? Could I see a look down shot of them, I need to do something for covers and these look good.

Yes, my brew partner's father-in-law fabricated the lids. He's obviously a custom welder by trade.

Below are two pictures the boil keggle lids. The piping and elbow is to let the sweet wort from the sparge trickle down the side of the keggle. Again, they still need polishing, but are made out of 304 stainless steel.

 

[5_Thumbs]

Thoughts on the finished product or suggestions to improve it? You must be on crack! Buddy, you have taken Brutus to a new "art" level with this thing. Most excellent job! Stealing pics for my website now...

Thanks Lonnie! You gave birth to Brutus, we just took your original design and made slight improvements.

Cheers to beer!