Chris Knight's brew rig

[diatonic]

What casters did you use?

 

[chrisknight]

Chris, Nice job on your rig. I agree with drunkatuw, you should go from BK to pump then out to chiller. That's what I do and have no priming problems, then from chiller to fermenter.

Yeah, I'll go that route...

 

[chrisknight]

What casters did you use?

They are very heavy duty. Ball bearing swivels, solid wheel. I believe they came from the wood workers show at the Columbus fair grounds. I do not know the brand name. My Dad gave them to me.

 

[churdbird]

Hey Im in the middle of a Brutus Build and would love to come by sometime when your brewing again - Im over in Blacklick. Your stand look awesome.

 

[lucasbm]

The system looks great. The creativity you put into your stand is astonishing.

I'm wanting to see what happens when flame hits powder coat. I hope the chevy orange doesn't do a burn out.

 

[crypt0]

Have you broke it in yet?

 

[smmcdermott]

Hey,

Just wanted to say that I love your videos, its nice to watch videos on youtube of someone not retarded...

This is a great build, you going to make a video of your first build on here?

Thanks.

 

[stokems]

Soooo freakin sweet! love the orange. I have a gravity tier system that I actually use a march pump with, but would love to switch to a single tier electric bling bling system.

 

[frolf]

Bump... any updates?

Your stand inspired me to decide on a powder-coated steel stand instead of a SS stand.

 

[chrisknight]

No real update yet. I do have a regulator and some of the plumbing done, but I'll wait to post pictures. I'm having a problem locating the proper hose to supply the rig with NG. I had originally ordered from McMaster part # 5814K13. When it came, I knew right away that it wasn't what I needed. It is a stainless steel appliance hose that is flexible, but its meant to flex into place to permanently install one time. Not to disconnect and roll up every weekend.

I'll be coming off of a 1/2" NG hard pipe to a ball shut off valve. From there to the hose. On the end of the hose I have McMaster part numbers 6053T14 & 6053T13 quick disconnect with shut off going into the regulator, which all have 1/2" NPT.

I returned the hard "hose" to McMaster and described that I would like a 1/2" ID hose similar to hose you would see on a propane tank to gas grill, but with 1/2" NPT ends.
They transfered me to someone who said that McMaster "declines to bid on this order." Uh.. OK.

Can someone help?

 

[brewer44]

No real update yet. I do have a regulator and some of the plumbing done, but I'll wait to post pictures. I'm having a problem locating the proper hose to supply the rig with NG. I had originally ordered from McMaster part # 5814K13. When it came, I knew right away that it wasn't what I needed. It is a stainless steel appliance hose that is flexible, but its meant to flex into place to permanently install one time. Not to disconnect and roll up every weekend.

I'll be coming off of a 1/2" NG hard pipe to a ball shut off valve. From there to the hose. On the end of the hose I have McMaster part numbers 6053T14 & 6053T13 quick disconnect with shut off going into the regulator, which all have 1/2" NPT.

I returned the hard "hose" to McMaster and described that I would like a 1/2" ID hose similar to hose you would see on a propane tank to gas grill, but with 1/2" NPT ends.
They transfered me to someone who said that McMaster "declines to bid on this order." Uh.. OK.

Can someone help?

Chris, What about something like this guy's using with his homemade burner. I thought this was cool.

Scott

 

[tomroeder]

Interesting, I just ran into this exact problem!

I ended up researching, and found that PVC has an excellent compatability with natural gas. I ended up using 3/4" id, but I may have been able to get away with something a little smaller, but 3/4 worked, so I didn't want to chance anything else.

McMaster Carr offers PVC hose, and that is what I have used and it works perfectly. If you watch my youtube video, about half way through, I show you the hose, here is the link:



I found some really nice natural gas quick disconnects on Ebay and used those also.

This is not "approved for natural gas" hose, but if you read on the internet, modern gas mains that are buried under ground are made of PVC, and residential natural gas is very low pressure, .5 psi, so hose strength is not the issue, it is chemical compatability, which PVC is excellent for.

But, do you own research, this may not be the best for your setup, but it works great for me. My hose is 25' long, but you can get it in about any length/diameter/color you want.

Hope this helps!!!

 

[whalenutz]

oxy/acy hose???

 

[tomroeder]

oxy/acy hose???

The problem I ran into, my first hose that I used was char broil brand, approved for natural gas hose. The problem I ran into was id, the id was too small for my usage, and approved natural gas with an id of anything more than 3/8" is really expensive. This is why I used PVC hose. It was cheaper, and I feel safe using it, but don't take my advice, I can not prove its safety, but I think it is okay for me.

 

[Yambor44]

I use 1/2" PVC hose with my NG setup. Nice build BTW!

You can see it feeding in here


and here


I have it tied in the same way you do. 1/2" hard pipe, to ball valve with QD, to hose to stand.

 

[chrisknight]

More progress! Yay!

 

[tomroeder]

what kind of hose did you end up using?

 

[chrisknight]

Napa 1/2" ID airhose for pneumatic tools with 1/2" NPT on both ends.

Like this: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/6Z789?BaseItem=5Z331

 

[tomroeder]

It looks like it is made of nitrile? Maybe PVC? If so, good deal, those should work well with natural gas. I found that my first choice, EPDM rubber, which is common for rubber hose, has a bad reaction with natural gas.

Looking good! Have you tested it to see how long it takes to bring 5 gal of water to a boil?

 

[Yambor44]

.....PM Sent.

 

[chrisknight]

Just for clarification, I used this regulator:
http://www.plumbingworld.com/gasvalves.html
325 Series High Quality Pressure Regulators

These Pressure Regulators Feature:

• Regulates either propane or natural gas
• CSA certified
• Maximum total capacity of 300 cubic ft. per hour (CFH)
• Pressure at outlet: 4wc - 12wc
• LPG gas max inlet pressure: 2 PSI
• Natural gas max inlet pressure: 5 PSI
• Individual maximum load rating: 300,000 BTU per hour
• Suitable for multi-poise mounting
• If using a vent limiting device, the regulator must be in a horizontal upright position
• Install regulator properly with gas flowing as indicated by the arrow on the casting
• Click here for dimensions

 

[Yambor44]

I'm assuming you used the 1/2" version?

 

[chrisknight]

I'm assuming you used the 1/2" version?

Yes.

...and the burners came from:
http://www.shopperschoice.com/item_name_Multi-Jet-Natural-Gas-Burner-Mini_path__item_2516986.html

 

[humann_brewing]

I use 1/2" PVC hose with my NG setup. Nice build BTW!

You can see it feeding in here


and here


I have it tied in the same way you do. 1/2" hard pipe, to ball valve with QD, to hose to stand.

Is that stand custom or is that sold somewhere as a shell?

 

[chrisknight]

It looks like it is made of nitrile? Maybe PVC? If so, good deal, those should work well with natural gas. I found that my first choice, EPDM rubber, which is common for rubber hose, has a bad reaction with natural gas.

Looking good! Have you tested it to see how long it takes to bring 5 gal of water to a boil?

Not yet... I'm planning on busting out 4 5-gallon batches this weekend. Trial by fire! lol

 

[chrisknight]

Sweet!!!

 

[Yambor44]

Is that stand custom or is that sold somewhere as a shell?

Yes it was made from a bed frame. Tough as friggin nails to drill through! I'll be selling the whole setup when I get my Brutus done!!

 

[Yambor44]

Yes.

...and the burners came from:
http://www.shopperschoice.com/item_name_Multi-Jet-Natural-Gas-Burner-Mini_path__item_2516986.html

Thanks Chris. Got em ordered!

 

[chrisknight]

Calibrating the regulator... Or, my buddy is rather...

 

[Yambor44]

Calibrating the regulator... Or, my buddy is rather...

Hey, wait a minute. You didn't tell me I had to calibrate the damn thing!