can anyone think of a small part needed for brewing that does not exist?

[blue27343]

I have access to a 3-d printer and was wondering if anyone else could think of anything cool to make for brewing?

the best i could come up with was a larger airlock that would be attached via a hose and include a one way valve to prevent contamination. this would also allow you to set up an airlock beforehand and also remove or put the lid on without worrying about spilling water.

any ideas?

 

[olllllo]

What's the medium? Some sort of plastic?
How large can it be?

 

[blue27343]

pvc, and it can be up to about an 8" cube, but it would get really expensive to produce (its about $30 for a 3" cube)

 

[Jaybird]

I would say a pint glass that is never empty:rockin: can you make me one of those???
JJ

 

[BarleyWater]

PVC IS NOT FOOD SAFE. I would be warry of using it for anything related to your brewing.

 

[kaptain_karma]

hmm... I guess this isn't really a small part...

Once, while perusing an electronics store, I saw a small ceramic square that actually became cooler as electricity ran through it.

What if one was to make a checkerboard pattern of that kind of cell and traditional electric heating cells and put it on a flexible matrix...

Wrap it around a glass carboy, and attach that to an internal thermostat.

Delicate control over fermentation temperature, warm or cool?

I don't know enough about elecronics to know, but it seems like a cool idea, no?

 

[homebrewer_99]

Uh, last time I checked an airlock was a one way valve...

 

[dantodd]

hmm... I guess this isn't really a small part...

Once, while perusing an electronics store, I saw a small ceramic square that actually became cooler as electricity ran through it.

It's called a peltier device and if you run current through it backwards it will warm.

 

[67coupe390]

It's called a peltier device and if you run current through it backwards it will warm.

I wish microwaves could do somrthing like that.

 

[blue27343]

Uh, last time I checked an airlock was a one way valve...

sort of, but it seems everytime i put a somewhat warm fermenter in my basement it draws airlock water back into the fermenter as the temperature of the airspace cools .... maybe its just me though.... i meant more like an aquarium airline check valve... it allows air to run in, but stops water from ever running back into the pump....

then again i might be wrong....

 

[evanmars]

Since we brew, there must not be anything needed that doesn't exist...:cross:

 

[MrFebtober]

If you have a personal logo for your "brewery," as many on this site seem to have, you could texturize it (3-d text or image outline) and make some very unique and personalized beer coasters.

Better yet, if you have a kegerator you could make a nifty custom drip tray, even if the best you can come up with is "blue27343's brewery."

 

[the_bird]

Since we brew, there must not be anything needed that doesn't exist...:cross:

ARGH! PHILOSOPHY! MY HEAD HURTS!

Damn you!

 

[rdwj]

Orpheus said something about wanting to power his brewery by windmill. Perhaps you can develop something to help him out.

 

[homebrewer_99]

sort of, but it seems everytime i put a somewhat warm fermenter in my basement it draws airlock water back into the fermenter as the temperature of the airspace cools .... maybe its just me though.... i meant more like an aquarium airline check valve... it allows air to run in, but stops water from ever running back into the pump....

then again i might be wrong....

That's because of the temperature difference inside and outside the fermenter.

I think a carboy could implode using your device.