Getting ready to fire up - input?

[jcaudill]

Hello all,

My build has been over a year in the making but finally I am getting ready for the inaugural brew on Easter. I'll post some finished pics up shortly - I'll need to reincarnate my post!

I plan to water brew at some point this week but I wanted to make a quick post to get any input on the things I need to be looking for that are going to make my brew day a nightmare. The most critical thing I'm thinking about is burner height. All three of my vessels have adjustable burner height - but as to where exactly to set them I'm a bit puzzled. I know the Mash Tun will need it a bit lower while HLT closer and BK I know I'd prefer it close but not so close I scorch the hell out of the wort.

Any advice, tips, tricks would be much appreciated! I know I have talked much about my setup but here's the brief summary:

- Brutus style single tier (RIMS) with 2 pumps.
- Brewtroller 4.0 controller - 2 gas solenoids (HLT/MT)
- 6" ring burners on all three (BG12) - propane
- No RIMS tube - temps regulated by direct fire from burner controlled by Brewtroller - recirculating through pump and temps monitored at pump output probe
- Insulated MT (Reflectix double layer - mineral wool foil faced blanket later)
- Sparge through full cone spray nozzle
- 50-plate chiller - inline aeration at wort output from air compressor (with coalescing filter and HEPA filter installed) - sight tube from polycarb tubing to monitor wort clarity / trubity
- All into a Brewhemoth with immersion chiller - water delivered from keezer on demand (probe installed in side of Brewhemoth)

Thanks in advance!

 

[sarsnik]

Are you running at high or low pressure? Or NG?

I'm using high pressure propane with the bg12's. I have them at 4.5 inches right now - the farthest away as possible with the intention of raising them in case it was too far.

Now after a few batches, I think I might raise them to 4 or 3 1/2".

Also, the BG12's are very adjustable, so don't worry about having different heights - just keep the MT flame low while firing.

Since your using a plate chiller, I would advise not using pellet hops for the first brew, until your sure you have the capacity to filter them. Getting a clogged chiller wouldn't be fun for your rigs maiden voyage.

Also, monitor your reflectix. Make sure it doesn't melt. Shouldn't be a problem with the BG12s dialed in at a low heat.

Finally, what are you thinking?! Posting all these tantalizing details without pictures is...cruel.

 

[jcaudill]

Well - they are the burners from Agrisupply with the low pressure orifice so I will be running low I suppose. The one thing I haven't done is through about drilling those out. The burners have only been on a few times and that was probably about a year ago at this point!

I think the adjustability I built in was like 3-5" - the windscreen is 4" tall. I have a 0-10 psi regulator on the MT burner so I can really dial that one in. The HLT and BK burners are both needle valve controlled.

That plate chiller thing you just mentioned has me a bit nervous. I am going to be using pellet hops as that is what I have around. I will be whirlpooling and my dip tube is away from the cone area (at least hypothetically speaking!) The good news is I am brewing a Helles so pretty low IBU and only about 60g of hops total.

Ya I will keep an eye on the Reflectix - my though is because the way the stand is designed it won't be a huge issue. Also - I have stainless grates under the kettles on top of the frame so heat should be able to escape.

I have pictures up if you check my threads out - but not the most recent Sorry I know it's cruel - tomorrow.