false bottom option

[samc]

I used the Oxo screen for a few brews. It is cheap stainless and you need to look out for signs of rusting. It worked well but ultimately I went with a more sturdy version from Jaybird.

 

[Ohio-Ed]

Not linking for some reason...



No...it doesn't seem bulky really, but then again, it is 3/4" so the nut for the union doesn't stand out so much as it might on 1/2" I guess. Without looking at yours to compare, who knows.

To me it looks better considering it will be easier to remove.

You should also be able to use a 1/2" mpt compression fitting.
Thread the compression fitting into the coupling and insert the pickup tube into the compression side. If you want to make it completely non intrusive, you can also replace the crimp ring in the compression fitting with silicone o-rings.

Ed

 

[Brewmoor]

You should also be able to use a 1/2" mpt compression fitting.
Thread the compression fitting into the coupling and insert the pickup tube into the compression side. If you want to make it completely non intrusive, you can also replace the crimp ring in the compression fitting with silicone o-rings.

Ed

Do you know if it will make enough of a seal if I just hand tighten it? I would probably go the o-ring route.

Thanks, I think I am going to try that first. I have a spare union so I can always use that for a backup. Guess I am making a trip to lowes during my lunch break.

 

[Ohio-Ed]

Do you know if it will make enough of a seal if I just hand tighten it? I would probably go the o-ring route.

Thanks, I think I am going to try that first. I have a spare union so I can always use that for a backup. Guess I am making a trip to lowes during my lunch break.

Depending on the fitting, I have had success stacking a few o-rings on the tube and hand tightening. Worst case, you might need an adjustable wrench to snug it up. Test it with water, if it stops draining when the level reaches the fitting (and the output of your valve is below the bottom of the pickup tube) you likely need to tighten it up some.

 

[zudema]

Here my version of that splatter screen for a false bottom. I didn't care for the handle opening so I cut out a smaller circle and reused the edging. Stainless 1" #6 screws for support.

 

[Brewmoor]

Well I used the screen today.........Total disaster. Took me 1 1/2 hours to get my wort from mash tun to boil kettle. That screen just would not hold back my grains. I kept having to pull grains out of the tubes and eventually had to pull out my diaphram pump and start sucking off the top using a fine sreen. Then used the diaphram pump to blow air up through the bottom of the screen to clear things out. I did that about 10 times.

I tried all different flow rates to get it right. I am convinced I should just save time and buy a false bottom. Oh well. It was worth a shot. I just could not get it to seal right to the bottom of the keg.

 

[Bobby_M]

I have a feeling you were getting grain around the sides of the circle, not through the holes. Those holes are smaller than most false bottoms I've ever seen.

 

[Brewmoor]

I have a feeling you were getting grain around the sides of the circle, not through the holes. Those holes are smaller than most false bottoms I've ever seen.

Yeah that is what was happening. I could not get it to seal right.The edges were pealing up. It had too much flex even with the small studs I put in to hold things firm. I played around with it on saturday when i was running a cleaning solution through the rig. I just had to go with it yesterday to get this beer done. Our club is filling a whiskey barrel and I needed to get 10 gallons into carboys before the end of the weekend. It was not fun.

 

[Shaggyt]

I brewed yesterday using lots of pellets and some whole leaf hops to test out the FB. Worked great...for about 10 seconds!!!

Clogged up and would not drain...had to autosiphon the wort out of the keg!!!

We'll see what happened today when I clean up but I have feeling the sides also were the culprit. I had not tested with a boil so if the sides did peel up, it would have happened then.

On the positive side, the diptube I made will stay for certain...that 10 seconds it did work drained off about a gallon of wort.

To be continued...

 

[Shaggyt]

Whole leaf hops got under my FB...I've soldered a piece of SS onto the diptube to hold the FB down firmly...we'll see how this works next brewday.

 

[Shaggyt]

So I soldered a stainless ring to the diptube to act as a brace/guard to prevent the FB from raising up during the boil. I placed the ring at such a level on the diptube that it provides significant pressure to the FB to keep it in place.

I used it on a porter w/2.5oz of pellets and drained liked a charm...the 1/2" ball valve makes a HUGE difference. Drained the keggle in about 2-3 minutes.

I'll post a pick soon.

 

[JetSmooth]

So I soldered a stainless ring to the diptube to act as a brace/guard to prevent the FB from raising up during the boil. I placed the ring at such a level on the diptube that it provides significant pressure to the FB to keep it in place.

I used it on a porter w/2.5oz of pellets and drained liked a charm...the 1/2" ball valve makes a HUGE difference. Drained the keggle in about 2-3 minutes.

I'll post a pick soon.

You ever get a pic of this? There's a kitchen store near me doing a closeout and they have these on clearance.