Another Basement Brewery Build

[schematix]

What is the quad stainless piece for? I didn't see it anywhere

Is this what you're referring to? I use it to split the wort and oxygenate.

 

[TungstenBeer]

Oh, very cool. I never even thought of that.

 

[BreezyBrew]

And here it is:
View attachment 255021

Great build! I was wondering where you got the table from? I didn't see it in the posts.

 

[schematix]

It's just a stainless steel prep table like what is used in commercial kitchens. This particular one is from Webstaurant, model #600TS2460S. Just about every restaurant supply store sells something like it.

It came heavily scratched from the way it was packaging during shipment and Webstaurant wouldn't honor a warranty claim due to what they considered aesthetics. Also many of the bolts that secure the top to the frame weren't properly tighened.

They sell cheap stuff, but they don't stand behind it. I bought a sink from them too that was extremely lacking in quality, and their solution was to drop another $75 on leg braces to straighten the crooked legs out. Buyer beware.

 

[IowaHomeBrewer]

Pump head design. I put a drain valve on the pump so I can drain hoses out before disconnecting them. Great addition! This thread discusses the evolution of this design.

I was just thinking to myself the other day, there has to be a better way to clear my pump lines than doing a quick disconnect over a bucket.

 

[schematix]

I was just thinking to myself the other day, there has to be a better way to clear my pump lines than doing a quick disconnect over a bucket.

In hindsight another additional I would have added is a low point drain valve. This is implemented easily with another valve and a few fittings. The benefit is that you can drain everything above it easily.

The valve on the outlet does help tremendously with draining, but it's purpose was really more for ease of priming, although it's 95% effective as a drain.

 

[Gavin C]

This is one of the best build threads I've seen

Thanks so much for all the work and clear photos, diagrams, explanations. Brilliant stuff.

Will be referring to this in years to come when I do my own build. Nothing planned other than I'm mentally planning on having an electric setup someday.

 

[jcav]

Excellent build thread! Really top notch! I also really like your neat idea of using that quad wort spliter into the two fermenters!

John

 

[augiedoggy]

It's just a stainless steel prep table like what is used in commercial kitchens. This particular one is from Webstaurant, model #600TS2460S. Just about every restaurant supply store sells something like it.

It came heavily scratched from the way it was packaging during shipment and Webstaurant wouldn't honor a warranty claim due to what they considered aesthetics. Also many of the bolts that secure the top to the frame weren't properly tighened.

They sell cheap stuff, but they don't stand behind it. I bought a sink from them too that was extremely lacking in quality, and their solution was to drop another $75 on leg braces to straighten the crooked legs out. Buyer beware.

To be fair in the intended restaurant environment the tables usually get scratches to hell in the first couple days...Thats kinda the idea behind the stainless to stand up to the hard use. hence their outlook on the cosmetics of the product.
I worked as the maint man in a large restaurant for 15 years... Many stainless sinks and tables came with different support options too depending on setup stronger legs arent always needed.. Sometimes the legs where bolted to the floor to keep them in place or the table wedged in a corner... So the stronger setup/braces for extra is kind of typical for many restaurant supply places. Theres a huge price gap in the good stuff vs cheap stuff..

 

[dresselbrew]

Sorry if I missed it earlier but I'm curious what outlets and plugs you used for your heating elements. I'm building now and don't like the big bulky options I see others using.

 

[schematix]

Sorry if I missed it earlier but I'm curious what outlets and plugs you used for your heating elements. I'm building now and don't like the big bulky options I see others using.

I used the Blichmann Boil Coils and the cords that were supplied with those.

The receptacles are Leviton 2620 (http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ProductDetail.jsp?partnumber=2620&section=40369&minisite=10251)

The realty of 240V is that it is bulky due to the required separation, although i don't find the Blichmann plugs or Leviton receptacles to be overkill.

 

[dresselbrew]

I used the Blichmann Boil Coils and the cords that were supplied with those.

The receptacles are Leviton 2620 (http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ProductDetail.jsp?partnumber=2620&section=40369&minisite=10251)

The realty of 240V is that it is bulky due to the required separation, although i don't find the Blichmann plugs or Leviton receptacles to be overkill.

Thank you. That's what I was looking for.

 

[gmagee]

Great build thread, thank you for all the detailed info. It really helps as I think about how to move towards electric/HERMS.

 

[jammin]

This is quite the gray area. I am in reality venting either through the washer stack pipe, or the air admittance valve i put on the sink drain. This "works" but an inspector might disagree that its kosher. Washer stand pipes have special exceptions with their venting since they deal with "gray" water and are naturally open to the atmosphere. A new house would likely have venting included, but this house was built in '73, before such standards were common and when they still used aluminum wire (f me).

There is a p-trap beneath the floor. After that i assume that then connects to the main drain line and is thus vented through one of the other drains.

So far no issues with drainage or sewer gas.

Where are you getting the make-up air in this space? Code states that make up air opening must be not less that ventilation opening. Can you detail this it bc at fist glance you appear to be in violation.

 

[schematix]

Where are you getting the make-up air in this space? Code states that make up air opening must be not less that ventilation opening. Can you detail this it bc at fist glance you appear to be in violation.

I have several windows in my basement. I usually open one and leave the door to the upstairs open. After some incremental tests I've determined this is sufficient for now.

I looked into adding another inlet but in the end decided that it would be easier and cheaper to just open the window.

I am currently working on a concept for improved ventilation that works by integrating the ventilation and make-up air directly into the lid of the pot. I currently have a small amount of moisture and odors that don't get vented out that my wife takes exception to.

 

[FuzzyIguana]

I love being the zombie thread poster. Here's a link to a big old cheap bowl

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/30-qt-heavyweight-stainless-steel-mixing-bowl/407MXBHD.html

 

[juggabrew]

This is exactly what we used at a chemical company I used to work for. I can see using that ss bowl and building your own vent.

 

[jahlinux]

Check out this thread: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/...denser-no-overhead-ventilation-needed.636955/

I’ve been brewing with it for a few months and it works awesome!

 

[Woodbrews]

I’ve been brewing with it for a few months and it works awesome!

I just did my first brew with the same condenser assembly. I'm curious - have you measured how much it changed your boil-off rate, and how have you adjusted your starting volumes? Thanks!

 

[jahlinux]

I just did my first brew with the same condenser assembly. I'm curious - have you measured how much it changed your boil-off rate, and how have you adjusted your starting volumes? Thanks!

I did a couple of tests with just water and ended up with running the element at 50% and a boil off rate of 1 gal per hour. It's a big change from running my system without the condenser.