ANVIL FOUNDRY ALL-GRAIN BREWING SYSTEM

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I'm not sure it would fit the 6.5.

6.5 vs 10.5 = same diameter, just shorter. FYI if you wondered.

 

[kartracer]

I have both as well for my Mash & Boil and also agree on the Wilser due to less rigidity. Also, I had it made to fit the outside of the kettle, not the malt pipe. This eliminated the possibility of any grains getting in between the the pipe and the side of the kettle when poring the grain.I requested the Brew Bag be made this way but what they sent me was simply a bit bigger around the top But didn’t fit. I wish they’d simply said they couldn’t do it due to the rigidity. Very disappointed, money down the drain. I liked their bag I used in my 10G cooler for mashing. So I bought the Wilser for my M&B and its great.

I've brewed once so far on my Anvil 10.5 using the malt pipe. I also bought the Wilser bag and the Brewzilla false bottom and plan on using them without the malt pipe next brew. My question is, when pulling the bag out of the Anvil, will it expand beyond the circumference of the Anvil and spill sticky wort all over the place?

Also how can you (fly) sparge a gallon or so when using the bag?

 

[Noob_Brewer]

I've brewed once so far on my Anvil 10.5 using the malt pipe. I also bought the Wilser bag and the Brewzilla false bottom and plan on using them without the malt pipe next brew. My question is, when pulling the bag out of the Anvil, will it expand beyond the circumference of the Anvil and spill sticky wort all over the place?

Also how can you (fly) sparge a gallon or so when using the bag?

I ditched the malt pipe long ago. The benefit of the malt-pipe was indeed the ease of sparging, so if you ditch the malt-pipe you need another plan if you want to sparge. If you pull the bag up slowly using some overhead rig, it won't balloon out much at all and my wilserbag always drains nicely from the bottom. BUT here is how I actually do it now. When mashing is over, I simply slowly drain it over to another vessel with the bag in place. It doesn't disturb the grain bed at all which I like. Then I pour in the sparge water, one quart at a time on top as its draining to the other vessel. So I guess you'd call it a manual or "poor-mans" fly sparge lol. Once all sparge water is in the foundry I wait a bit longer until Im pretty close to my pre-boil volume when you consider the volume in the other vessel and under the false bottom (about a gallon under the FB). At this time, I stop the transfer to the second vessel, raise the bag (which is no longer "full") vertically, and pump the wort back to the foundry and remove the FB. Once the wort is at my pre-boil volume in the foundry, I take the bag off the hook overhead. I have this setup so that I rarely need to squeeze the bag and wort is nice and clean. Sounds like a lot, but its pretty easy for me overall. Hope this makes sense.

 

[Mekchu]

I've brewed once so far on my Anvil 10.5 using the malt pipe. I also bought the Wilser bag and the Brewzilla false bottom and plan on using them without the malt pipe next brew. My question is, when pulling the bag out of the Anvil, will it expand beyond the circumference of the Anvil and spill sticky wort all over the place?

Also how can you (fly) sparge a gallon or so when using the bag?

I just did my 7th brew in the Anvil Foundry 10.5 and like others I have abandoned the malt pipe. But I did not go to a bag, I simply returned to 3-vessel brewing. I mashed in my 10 gal igloo cooler and used an old brew pot as a hot liquor tank for sparge water. I heated water in the foundry and used the circulating pump and gravity move it as needed. I was by and largely satisfied with the process. I went this way for several reasons. First, I already own all the equipment and did not have to go out and buy anything new. Second, I kind of like 3 vessel brewing. I went to the Foundry to go electric and get off the gas kitchen range. The kitchen is still the best place for me to brew, but I have never really figured out how to manage a large bag for BIAB. Returning to 3 vessel brewing solves my low extraction problem, and maybe oxidation issues from recirculating during the mash? Where did the group consensus land on that one? I saw some discussion, but it got real technical on testing for oxygen.

 

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I've found that the pipe / bag / etc. depends on my gravity target and if I plan to sparge or boil off any extra. 5.5% ABV or so - the pipe works well, is convenient, and with a few lift / lowers and stirring does quite well. The extra steps make up for the dead space. Higher (7 - 8% and above ABV) - definitely skip the pipe and use the bag. It's not a big deal but I find it to be a little more messy and less convenient. But only a little. Not enough to hate it at all, but enough that I actually slightly prefer the pipe.

It's definitely cool all the things that the Anvil can be used for even if it's outside the original intent. I have run my brew day from beginning to end, I have also used it as just a temperature controlled mash tun and then transferred into a boil kettle over a flame.

 

[bleme]

I usually use my Wilser bag inside the malt pipe. It doesn't make any sense but the first 2 times I brewed without the bag, I had to fight stuck recirculation. Maybe I got better at controlling the flow, or maybe the bag actually helps, but it works now so I'm not going to change it.

 

[DuncB]

Must be an aftermarket or second life for all of these abandoned anvil malt pipes!

 

[Mekchu]

Must be an aftermarket or second life for all of these abandoned anvil malt pipes!

Sounds like a top ten list begging to be written

 

[kartracer]

Thanks for all the tips. I bought the Anvil as sort of a pilot sized system vs. dragging my stand and 20g 3 vessel gas/electric hybrid setup out of my shed into the driveway. And being able to use it in the garage, my brew day is no longer weather dependent.

Noob said "When mashing is over, I simply slowly drain it over to another vessel with the bag in place" - well, that kind of defeats the purpose of an AIO system doesn't it? But it would allow for some fly sparging and a clear wort going into the BK. Sounds like something I will try.

Mekchu said "But I did not go to a bag, I simply returned to 3-vessel brewing" - I will continue to use my 3V system for making 12g batches of known good recipes. (I started home brewing in the mid-90's.) My homebrew club meets monthly with an informal competition each meeting. I rarely have something on tap that meets the style of the month. With the Anvil, the hope is to brew at least once a month on it to have something to bring to the meetings/comps.

Bleme said "I usually use my Wilser bag inside the malt pipe. It doesn't make any sense..." - It makes sense to me for the very reason you stated; fighting stuck recirculation which I had to do on my initial Anvil brew. If it works, go for it.

 

[blkmagik98]

And being able to use it in the garage, my brew day is no longer weather dependent.

I hear you on that reason. I'm currently in Seattle with a work transfer after being in Denver (the sunniest major city in the US) and in Austin (where it doesn't rain that much either), so I was losing a lot of outdoors brewing days here.

 

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Noob said "When mashing is over, I simply slowly drain it over to another vessel with the bag in place" - well, that kind of defeats the purpose of an AIO system doesn't it?

Yeah, but the flexibility is awesome. It can be an all-in-one, or it can be a time delayed, temp controlled mash tun if you decide to use propane afterwards. Especially say for an Imperial Stout where you want to do a lot of boiling-off and don't have 240V available.

 

[Noob_Brewer]

Noob said "When mashing is over, I simply slowly drain it over to another vessel with the bag in place" - well, that kind of defeats the purpose of an AIO system doesn't it? But it would allow for some fly sparging and a clear wort going into the BK. Sounds like something I will try.

Yeah, but the flexibility is awesome. It can be an all-in-one, or it can be a time delayed, temp controlled mash tun if you decide to use propane afterwards. Especially say for an Imperial Stout where you want to do a lot of boiling-off and don't have 240V available.

This is the biggest reason IMHO which makes the foundry a solid system IMO. Flexibility. @kartracer While I agree that it does defeat the purpose of an AIO in general, lets remember that this system has appeal to several different audiences who have turned to it for various reasons. I found my old post about this idea and also included the mods that I have done over the 50+ brews over 2yrs. FYI, I started Homebrewing with this system.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/anvil-foundry-all-grain-brewing-system.666090/post-9052592
post #1462 if link doesn't work.

 

[Dancy]

That basket, w/ 14 pounds of grain, and lots of water, is heavy to lift especially w/ the Anvil on a countertop and you're standing on a 5 gallon bucket.

I use a Mash&Boil with a the basket and a Wilser bag. The unit sits on a printing cart with locking wheels about 15” off the floor in my kitchen, solving the “too high” problem. I’m 6’3”.

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

I'll show my set up, I just recently added a new pump with less power and very much needed, I can recirculate my sparge and just add the water on top as I'm recirculating, that helps with depositing bits of grain back to the top as well as a constant cleaning of the grain

 

[Noob_Brewer]

I'll show my set up, I just recently added a new pump with less power and very much needed, I can recirculate my sparge and just add the water on top as I'm recirculating, that helps with depositing bits of grain back to the top as well as a constant cleaning of the grain

Looks great man! Gotta admit that you got bigger balls/skills than I since you drilled a hole into the side for monitoring wort levels in a sight glass lol.

Is the pump in the picture the "new" pump you were referring to?

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

Looks great man! Gotta admit that you got bigger balls/skills than I since you drilled a hole into the side for monitoring wort levels in a sight glass lol.

Is the pump in the picture the "new" pump you were referring to?

yes, my dc pump I've had for 10 years failed, I was using my riptide, too powerful so this is better

the site glass is a must when recirculating, you can watch the level and make corrections

 

[cmac62]

yes, my dc pump I've had for 10 years failed, I was using my riptide, too powerful so this is better

the site glass is a must when recirculating, you can watch the level and make corrections

I have the same with my chugger. When you restrict the flow below a certain level it cavitates, and won't go slow enough . What is the pump you are using. I was thinking about just getting one from Anvil, but putting a ball valve seems easier than the clamp thing they send with it. Thanks

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

I have the same with my chugger. When you restrict the flow below a certain level it cavitates, and won't go slow enough . What is the pump you are using. I was thinking about just getting one from Anvil, but putting a ball valve seems easier than the clamp thing they send with it. Thanks

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F2WCW7N?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_detailsI was looking and they market this pump under many different names and prices, so far this works fine

 

[Noob_Brewer]

I bought the anvil pump with Recirculation kit. 55 brews in and it cleans up nicely with zero issues except that 2-3 brews, my free hops have clogged it at settling time after chilling. Other than that it works well with ball valve.

 

[cmac62]

I bought the anvil pump with Recirculation kit. 55 brews in and it cleans up nicely with zero issues except that 2-3 brews, my free hops have clogged it at settling time after chilling. Other than that it works well with ball valve.

View attachment 772672

Noob, I see you put the ball valve inline and not directly on the pump, this may work better. Thanks.

 

[AzOr]

Hope this wasn’t covered already in this thread, but at 2k posts….I haven’t read through all of them.

Can anyone provide a link to a false bottom for the 10.5 foundry? So I can use a grain bag instead of malt pipe.

Thanks

 

[bleme]

Can anyone provide a link to a false bottom for the 10.5 foundry? So I can use a grain bag instead of malt pipe.

I believe this is the one @Noob_Brewer posted about in post #1462

https://www.morebeer.com/products/r...gPqcxfoiMlXb4jH2RmIoy2tx4T__LoshoCfLcQAvD_BwE

 

[tracer bullet]

A bunch of us use these. Perfect fit.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G1B1YJM?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[Noob_Brewer]

I believe this is the one @Noob_Brewer posted about in post #1462

https://www.morebeer.com/products/r...gPqcxfoiMlXb4jH2RmIoy2tx4T__LoshoCfLcQAvD_BwE

Thx @bleme thats the one. Interesting sidetone related to this though. Keep in mind, my foundry is first generation...Friend in brew club got a newer foundry with the controller up high. He borrowed my false bottom (35L brewzilla false bottom) and it worked great for him. So he ordered one for himself, not sure if he used more beer or not though. He told me that the FB "barely" fits and it rubs against the sides on the way down the pipe. SO he had to shave the FB down a bit for it to fit easily the way mine does. Not sure if BrewZilla took exception to their products being used in the foundry and widened the diameter a small bit or this one my friend bought was just a one-off. Nevertheless, mine fit perfect. Food for thought I guess...

 

[AzOr]

I believe this is the one @Noob_Brewer posted about in post #1462

https://www.morebeer.com/products/r...gPqcxfoiMlXb4jH2RmIoy2tx4T__LoshoCfLcQAvD_BwE

Thanks bleme and tracer bullet! Super helpful.

 

[kartracer]

I'm pretty sure the 35l Brewzilla false bottom is to be used without the malt pipe. I got one and it fits in my recently purchased Anvil 10.5 perfectly.

 

[tracer bullet]

I'm pretty sure the 35l Brewzilla false bottom is to be used without the malt pipe. I got one and it fits in my recently purchased Anvil 10.5 perfectly.

Yep, you use a bag above it. Otherwise you have no way of retaining grain after mashing.

If you used the FB with the pipe you'd have all the negatives of the pipe plus additional dead space. Hopefully no one plans to use it that way!

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

Yep, you use a bag above it. Otherwise you have no way of retaining grain after mashing.

If you used the FB with the pipe you'd have all the negatives of the pipe plus additional dead space. Hopefully no one plans to use it that way!

what bags do you guys use that are reasonably prices, I've had so may rip and I'm not paying $50 just to have it happen again

 

[Noob_Brewer]

I'm pretty sure the 35l Brewzilla false bottom is to be used without the malt pipe. I got one and it fits in my recently purchased Anvil 10.5 perfectly.

Sorry, my wording was poor when I referred to the FB sliding down the "pipe". I meant the foundry itself. Yep I ditched the malt pipe long ago.

 

[bleme]

what bags do you guys use that are reasonably prices, I've had so may rip and I'm not paying $50 just to have it happen again

I've used my Wilser bag for years, first on the stovetop and now in the Foundry.