Dissecting A Therminator

[jamescb77]

did anyone notice that that pepsi machine comes with 3 cornies and a huge co2 tank for 99 bucks if anyone is near they should pick that up for sure

 

[ScubaSteve]

You oughta post that on the classifieds, and I'm sure someone will.....

 

[HarvInSTL]

Any progress on this?

 

[NoNothing]

I would love to see this go through, as Im sure many would, any updates?

Anyone with a therminator they dont want ?

 

[Bobby_M]

What I would suggest is for someone to come forward with a plate chiller that they've run at least 200 gallons through. Once that is established, those interested could donate money to the cause until the stated value of that chiller is reached. The money is sent to the owner, the chiller is sent to someone with an acetylene torch so it could be debrazed. If the owner of the chiller thinks it's a good cause, they'd probably take a little less than what it would cost to replace.

Just my 2-cents.

 

[conpewter]

I don't know if I'd torch it apart since you'd be burning whatever residue is left inside. I think cutting it open right across the plates would be better, then looking inside. Probably use a band saw or something would be best, not sure.

 

[HarvInSTL]

Anyone with a therminator they dont want ?

I volunteered mine early in the thread and that offer still stands. As long as we raise enough to cover the cost of a new one I'm game.

 

[WortMonger]

I would think cutting the outside edge would be better to release the plates into individuals. I don't know how they are held together inside, but looking at mine I would think the outside edge is the only place they are connected other than the wort and water ports.

 

[korndog]

I would think cutting the outside edge would be better to release the plates into individuals. I don't know how they are held together inside, but looking at mine I would think the outside edge is the only place they are connected other than the wort and water ports.

Sounds right. Peel it like a potato and you should get loose plates to examine. Maybe.

I'll donate my share for Harv's chiller. if everyone lists what they would be willing to donate for this experiment, we can get an idea how to proceed. It would be nice if we could get a shop to sell us a replacement at cost.

I'll start with $25.00.

 

[HarvInSTL]

Mark me down for $15 and I'll cover shipping it to whoever is going to be doing the "surgery".

Speaking of which do we have someone for that yet?

 

[korndog]

Mark me down for $15 and I'll cover shipping it to whoever is going to be doing the "surgery".

Speaking of which do we have someone for that yet?

No, we don't have a volunteer for the dissection. I can take it to my friends machine shop if we can't get someone with a proper home setup.

 

[JVD_X]

If you keep it clean after every use... follow the directions and flush reverse then forward you should be just fine. I have been using my for quite a while with no issues. I pump hot water followed by BLC, then hot water, then sani-clean sanitizer. It seems like a lot of work but I use a pump.

If you are especially concerned about bacteria stick it in an oven at 200 F for an hour or two after cleaning.

 

[Padstack31]

any update on this?

 

[korndog]

any update on this?

Not enough interest I guess. I'll get it done one of these days.

 

[WortMonger]

I'm still interested, but I guess I am gonna find out how much the Therminator can take as a mash tun heat exchanger. Filter is the word there, but I would like to know what goes on inside.

 

[MrNate]

Dang, I really wanted to see that.

 

[korndog]

I'm still interested, but I guess I am gonna find out how much the Therminator can take as a mash tun heat exchanger. Filter is the word there, but I would like to know what goes on inside.

I'll get it done. I'll just get our club unit and replace it with a new one. If someone wants to pitch in after I post the results, then that would be cool. Stay tuned.

I think you will be surprised how fast your ramps will be. Once you recirculate for a few minutes at your strike temperature, your wort should be plenty clear to switch to the Therminator. I assume you will keep your wort moving and stop the HLT pump during rests.
KD

 

[WortMonger]

Yep, planned on doing an initial vorlauf directly back on top of the grain bed, then I was going to connect to the Therminator (flash boiler heated) and start the pump and flash boiler when needed. I would of course have an extra fine pre-filter on the Therminator because, even with a false bottom and a smaller filter screen inside the HLT some crap will get through. I figure my ramps will be really quick, but this is for another thread!!! LOL, just don't want this thread to get off the topic and confuse anyone just tuning in.

I do wonder about constant recirculation throughout the whole mash, rests and everything. I have my return manifold situated under the mash liquid level upon return, so I don't fear hot-side aeration. Having never done a recirculation other than normal vorlauf I wouldn't know, but there are enough HERMS and RIMS people out there that recirculate a lot so I figure I will be ok.

 

[korndog]

I do wonder about constant recirculation throughout the whole mash, rests and everything. I have my return manifold situated under the mash liquid level upon return, so I don't fear hot-side aeration. Having never done a recirculation other than normal vorlauf I wouldn't know, but there are enough HERMS and RIMS people out there that recirculate a lot so I figure I will be ok.

I recirculate during my entire mash and batch sparges. You will be amazed by the clarity. Ok, hijack over.

 

[WortMonger]

I recirculate during my entire mash and batch sparges. You will be amazed by the clarity. Ok, hijack over.

Wow, this mixed with a decoction and I bet the beer is like crystal. Now that is what I am talking about.

I really feel like you won't see much stuff on the flat parts of the inner surface of the Therminator, but it will be the edges and corners that will be gunked up with hard residue. I love the Therminator though due to its ability to go right in the pressure cooker/canner or the oven (once you remove the rubber protective edge).:rockin:

 

[rabidgerbil]

this is what i am thinking about setting up also, the same kind of system that you guys have been describing... now i just have to finish getting the money together to buy all the parts.