Boil kettle condenser - no overhead ventilation needed

[DevilsCups]

I’ve been running mine like this with no issues. I think the important thing is no sharp bends and make sure the end of the hose never gets submerged.

Great, this saves me some headache. Thank you!

 

[tracer bullet]

Not sure if that would cause any issues with effectiveness.

Not a bit. You might be overthinking it... Can you try it without the extension and see how it goes, then buy it later?

Don't forget that at some point it'll hang so far off that the lid will want to lift up on the opposite side and have the whole thing tip over.

 

[DevilsCups]

Not a bit. You might be overthinking it... Can you try it without the extension and see how it goes, then buy it later?

Don't forget that at some point it'll hang so far off that the lid will want to lift up on the opposite side and have the whole thing tip over.

Hmmm. I need an extension of some sort due to the nature and shape of the steam hat from Brewtools. The condenser tee will bottom out on the domed lid without an extension. It's more a matter of how long an extension I need to be able to dump to the sink effectively without having to go into a bucket.

The good thing about the steam hat is that it clamps onto the kettle, so no worry about tipping or weight imbalance.

 

[tracer bullet]

It's more a matter of how long an extension I need to be able to dump to the sink effectively without having to go into a bucket.

Yeah, sorry, that's what I was trying to say. Get it over the edge of the kettle / use what you have (assuming what you have gets it over the edge of the kettle already), and then let the hose do the rest.

 

[DevilsCups]

Yeah, sorry, that's what I was trying to say. Get it over the edge of the kettle / use what you have (assuming what you have gets it over the edge of the kettle already), and then let the hose do the rest.

All good! My old setup was mounted on the side of my kettle, so no extension. I think the 12” is in order for me. I’ll keep the thread posted once I give it a test run!

 

[BeerNsteadofH2O]

I've been brewing with a Gen Gen 3.1 for 2 year or so, about 6 months ago, I started the steam trap process,I bought the Brewzilla steam trap and distillation lid, I used the hose bib and sink initially, I disliked wasting the water, I have a 30 gallon drum of chilled water with a pump for my immersion chiller, returning the water to the tank left a stinky, oily scum in the tank, I've now moved to a remote pump mounted on my stand,a power supply and a 5 gallon cooler, I put 3 gallons if water and a block of ice, thus recirculating the water, I toss the water at the end of brew but the loss is minimal..I also upgraded the flimsy brewzilla lid, with the pro model with sight glass, boil off rate is just about a gallon and it only requires the 1000 w element for a rolling boil.. late hop or other editions are added through the top cap.

 

[DevilsCups]

Update for those interested - final setup. This should dump into my sink without issue. First brew with it this weekend, so we'll see if it all works and how she does.

 

[BeerNsteadofH2O]

Your going to.like that lid, it's a game changer..once the vacume gets established, the viewing window is clear.

 

[DevilsCups]

Your going to.like that lid, it's a game changer..once the vacume gets established, the viewing window is clear.

You know, I was wondering if it functioned like that. Really happy to hear it does!

 

[BeerNsteadofH2O]

It takes it about 5 minutes to get going, but once it does, it works very well, I use a small LED light to look in the window so I know EXACLY what's going on, I dont put the clamp on the top cover if I'm adding hops,irish moss or yeast nutrient, but I DO keep my gloves handy, also, if you remove the cap, dont get you face near it or you wont need to.shave for a good while.

 

[stamandster]

That looks good, wait to hear how well it works, suggest you put a bigger other hole in the lid for hopping, stirring, peeking as brewbuzzard did on pg 43 or as my picture on my lid. That's the top of a preserving jar, the rubber bit makes a nice seal.
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Thanks for the tip! https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/spike-steam-lid-used-on-65l-brewzilla.689178/post-9070523

 

[dmitch21]

Just did my 1st brew with the SS setup. My setup is 15g Spike BK ,10g round cooler MT. I have the SS mounted on my lid, to a 2" tee. SO Nice! I went from 1.35g/hr boiloff to 0.5g/hr. I'm using a 6gph tip, water temp 70*f, condensate temp 120*f. I have my water pressure reduced to 45psi. May switch to a 4gph tip. The best thing was it didn't rain on me in my basement. The humidity did go from 40% to 50%, with open mash and whirlpool, IC cooling. As of right now I missed my mark by 3 points, which for a first time isn't bad, Gonna dial it in over the next couple of brews

 

[tracer bullet]

Nice that you got close. I did some test runs with just water to get my boil off rates figured out. It also made me feel better about the system having previously read scattered horror stories.

 

[dmitch21]

Nice that you got close. I did some test runs with just water to get my boil off rates figured out. It also made me feel better about the system having previously read scattered horror stories.

I did a water run first, but yeah to get that close on a first run. I herad the horror stories but I really had no other viable choice.

 

[tracer bullet]

horror stories

My Anvil lid has a small hole in it, 1/2" diameter, for the recirculation pipe. I leave this open, and somewhat guarantee I can't have it implode or do anything else too crazy. Worst case scenario I can think of is the sprayer manages to stop spraying and then a lot of steam or worst case wort comes out. But I've usually got a lot of head room in the Anvil so probably not the latter. Might be something to consider if you haven't already.