cdburg
Well-Known Member
It's been a 4-month process, but I'm finally 99% done with my brew stand. I showed my step dad the Brutus plans in BYO last year, and he decided that we should do it.
The stand is a hybrid between a Brutus 10 and More Beer's 1100. We used Lonnie's design as a base, but we also borrowed several More Beer design features. We also added a tippy dump and grain chute that aren't included on either stand.
Features:
I still need to drill out the "crosshairs" on the plastic disconnects. They got stopped up with hops during my first brew in the system today. I think that I'll also put in some more work on the sanding the top. That should help to make it easier to clean if I get a boil over. I'd rather not spend an hour scrubbing with BKF like I did today. I think a smoother polish will work. I still need to order the last few name plates for the control panel also.
I've seen many stands on homebrewtalk that gave me ideas and pointers. Thank you to everyone. I want to give a big thank you to kladue for the help with the wiring of the ignition module,. That one was driving us nuts. Thanks also to Lonnie for the inspiration with the Brutus plans in BYO. This probably wouldn't have happened without them.
The stand is a hybrid between a Brutus 10 and More Beer's 1100. We used Lonnie's design as a base, but we also borrowed several More Beer design features. We also added a tippy dump and grain chute that aren't included on either stand.
Features:
- We designed the stand to be longer and a bit wider to accept the 15 gallon More Beer heavy duty kettles. We also designed it to be able to accept the 26 gallon kettles as well, in case I ever want to scale up.
- The middle kettle is held in a tippy dump. The kettle and burner are raised to allow it to swing.
- The grain chute is removable. It clips over the frame in the back when needed. When not used, it clips on the side of the frame near the boil kettle, acting as a wind shield.
- We used the More Beer set up for the automated HLT and SMART. Both use Ranco controllers.
- We used the Brutus gas beam, but moved it to the front to allow for easier access to the ball valves controlling the burners.
- The control panel design and mounting is also from the More Beer structure.
- The liquid returns in the mash tun and boil kettle are a cross between the Brutus and More Beer stands. I've also incorporated Jamil's whirpool chiller as the boil kettle return.
- We also ran conduit from the control panel to protect the pump, temp probe and other wires.
I still need to drill out the "crosshairs" on the plastic disconnects. They got stopped up with hops during my first brew in the system today. I think that I'll also put in some more work on the sanding the top. That should help to make it easier to clean if I get a boil over. I'd rather not spend an hour scrubbing with BKF like I did today. I think a smoother polish will work. I still need to order the last few name plates for the control panel also.
I've seen many stands on homebrewtalk that gave me ideas and pointers. Thank you to everyone. I want to give a big thank you to kladue for the help with the wiring of the ignition module,. That one was driving us nuts. Thanks also to Lonnie for the inspiration with the Brutus plans in BYO. This probably wouldn't have happened without them.