hows my bottom look ;)

[DesignatedDecoy]

false bottom that is! Okay here's the plan, and let me know if there's any objections.

I'm going to get 2 stainless steel spatter screens and stack them on top of each other. Then I'm going to take SS nuts, bolts, and wide washers to prop it up. I'm thinking 6-8 legs, so there's less stress on the splatter screens.

I will also be using 5gallon paint strainer bags to hold the grain. The FB is just to keep the bag from touching the element.

Do you think the splatter screens will hold 5 gallon batches of grain? Can you foresee any problems I missed?

I sandwiched some pictures together to help illustrate my "blue print". Should cost ~$40

 

[Bellybuster]

Be willing to bet your getting close in cost to an actual fb

 

[DesignatedDecoy]

Be willing to bet your getting close in cost to an actual fb

yeah I hear ya. but I have target and home depot gift cards and, believe it or not, I rarely shop there.

Plus my kettle is a weird diameter 11.75" (which is why I'm using the bags with this 11.5" FB), ...so no matter what a FB will require some work.

 

[dlovin]

I use a fold out vegetable steamer as a false bottom in my 5 gallon igloo cooler like this one in the picture View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1443983500.970458.jpg, it works well alone and better with a strainer bag

 

[wilserbrewer]

I would either not fire the element with the bag in the insulated kettle, or I would stir constantly if using the element to make a minor temp adjustment.

Jmo, but I feel your over thinking it.

1. Heat to strike temp and turn off element.
2. Place bag and grain in kettle and mash
3. Remove bag, fire element and boil.

I would sooner cover the element by sliding on a couple of perforated aluminum soda cans before spending money on a pseudo FB of pizza screens.

Sorry, just my warped opinion.

 

[DesignatedDecoy]

I would either not fire the element with the bag in the insulated kettle, or I would stir constantly if using the element to make a minor temp adjustment.

Jmo, but I feel your over thinking it.

1. Heat to strike temp and turn off element.
2. Place bag and grain in kettle and mash
3. Remove bag, fire element and boil.

I would sooner cover the element by sliding on a couple of perforated aluminum soda cans before spending money on a pseudo FB of pizza screens.

Sorry, just my warped opinion.

1st off TY... anyway, i thought the element might need to be on low sometimes because I'm doing small batches and there's no insulation on the kettle. I'm thinking ~3-4 gallons in a 5 gallon kettle, because I'm now have carpet and cannot afford a boil-over whatsoever.

So are you saying don't fire the element when the bag is in there, even though it's propped up by the FB?

P.S. i do have a controller so i can dial it close to zero (no automatic pid control though)

 

[wilserbrewer]

Are you recirculating with a pump?

I guess the point I was trying to make, is that you either need to go all in or just keep it simple.

I'm a fan of simple. Your proposed FB will likely work, the trick is there are a lot of additional factors that come into play when heating with a FB, if not recirculating the wort under the FB will be much hotter than the mash etc etc.

Also, with a small batch, there may be considerable volume under your FB that is not incorporated into the mash unles recirculating with pid temp control.

I would try a batch w simple means and build as needed. Jmo

 

[Bobby_M]

I could see firing the element SLIGHTLY while the bag is kept off it if you have a way of monitoring the temp.

 

[wilserbrewer]

If your in manual mode, you could heat gently and stir, or raise the bag and add heat.

 

[DesignatedDecoy]

Are you recirculating with a pump?

I guess the point I was trying to make, is that you either need to go all in or just keep it simple.

I'm a fan of simple. Your proposed FB will likely work, the trick is there are a lot of additional factors that come into play when heating with a FB, if not recirculating the wort under the FB will be much hotter than the mash etc etc.

any way to do it w/o a pump?

sounds cheaper to insulate my kettle with some "great stuff" foam and wood as a moulding. would that work?

how leaving it as is, and stirring every 15 min? would that work? that's what i was thinking initially.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Great stuff will make a great mess IMO, how bout a blanket, sleeping bag or an old winter coat. If you want to go fancy try reflectix insulation.

Yes, you can add heat as needed and stir while adding heat gently.

I think b/w adding heat as needed and insulation, it will be pretty simple.

How many watts are you using?

 

[DesignatedDecoy]

Great stuff will make a great mess IMO, how bout a blanket, sleeping bag or an old winter coat. If you want to go fancy try reflectix insulation.

on second thought, you think 3 gallons will hold heat even when insulated????

 

[DesignatedDecoy]

Great stuff will make a great mess IMO, how bout a blanket, sleeping bag or an old winter coat. If you want to go fancy try reflectix insulation.

on second thought, you think 3 gallons will hold heat even when insulated???? thats why i thought i might need some juice from the element

 

[divrguy]

Great stuff will make a great mess IMO, how bout a blanket, sleeping bag or an old winter coat. If you want to go fancy try reflectix insulation.

I use an old sleeping bag and a wilserbrewer bag!

If its in the winter and very cold, i fire the kettle while stirring. Works every time but i have also used the steamer trick as well.

 

[DesignatedDecoy]

I'm frustrated. I mean, I'm glad I know this now, but now I have another obstacle.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Yes, try and brew a batch gently adding heat as needed while stirring.

A false bottom is of more value if recirculating.

Brew a batch and solve your issues encountered, rather than trying to solve them in advance.

It can be done as simple or as complicated as your wishes and budget desire.

 

[DesignatedDecoy]

I use an old sleeping bag and a wilserbrewer bag!

If its in the winter and very cold, i fire the kettle while stirring. Works every time but i have also used the steamer trick as well.

fire it up while stirring huh? maybe I'll give it a shot bc i really don't wana buy a pump: real talk.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Don't be frustrated, brew a batch....it's really not a big deal.

Your worrying too much IMO.
We're not splitting atoms here lol

 

[theseeker4]

on second thought, you think 3 gallons will hold heat even when insulated???? thats why i thought i might need some juice from the element

If you have a 5 gallon pot, try pre-heating your oven to 170F or so, then turning the oven off and putting the entire pot in the oven during the mash. I have a 10 gallon pot, and this is what I do when mashing (it just barely fits inside the oven). Nice way to maintain the heat without buying anything else, messing with insulation, etc.

 

[DesignatedDecoy]

If you have a 5 gallon pot, try pre-heating your oven to 170F or so, then turning the oven off and putting the entire pot in the oven during the mash. I have a 10 gallon pot, and this is what I do when mashing (it just barely fits inside the oven). Nice way to maintain the heat without buying anything else, messing with insulation, etc.

thanks buddy but i got an electric setup. Idk about putting rubber wiring into the oven

 

[theseeker4]

thanks buddy but i got an electric setup. Idk about putting rubber wiring into the oven

If you can fit everything in, I don't see it being a problem with the heat off and only being pre-heated to 170, but if you don't want to risk it, np, just a thought.

 

[Indian_villager]

Look at what you are about to spend and compare it to this. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004L0XTXA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

That is the screen that I have and it works like a charm.

 

[Yesfan]

Look at what you are about to spend and compare it to this. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004L0XTXA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

That is the screen that I have and it works like a charm.

I don't think that would work as his kettle is smaller than 12" in diameter.


What about a 9" perforated pizza pan? $10 on Amazon.

link


You could use some stainless bolts as feet to raise it above the heating element.

 

[DesignatedDecoy]

I'm thinking this. I'll have to dremel it down to size.

http://www.target.com/p/chefs-nonstick-14-pizza-crisper-pan/-/A-15194631#prodSlot=_1_18

For the legs, I think I'll make them out of leftover 1/2 copper pipe. My idea's kind of hard to describe, but since copper is malleable, I'm thinking I can cut 4 small slits in the copper tube lengthwise. Then I'll slide two of those slits though one of the pan holes, and then hammer the two slits down to lock the leg in place. Kind of like a copper rivet.

I'll make sure to post pics when it comes in the mail. ~$15

Any problems with using aluminized steel?

 

[Yesfan]

I'm thinking this. I'll have to dremel it down to size.

http://www.target.com/p/chefs-nonstick-14-pizza-crisper-pan/-/A-15194631#prodSlot=_1_18

For the legs, I think I'll make them out of leftover 1/2 copper pipe. My idea's kind of hard to describe, but since copper is malleable, I'm thinking I can cut 4 small slits in the copper tube lengthwise. Then I'll slide two of those slits though one of the pan holes, and then hammer the two slits down to lock the leg in place. Kind of like a copper rivet.

I'll make sure to post pics when it comes in the mail. ~$15

Any problems with using aluminized steel?

Why not just save the gift card for something else? The one on Amazon should fit the bill, is $5 cheaper, and would require no more additional work (besides the legs) since you wouldn't have to cut it down to make it fit.


Yeah, the gift card makes the pan "free" from Target, but I would rather spend the $10 if it means I don't have to do a lot of work to make it work.

Keep it simple.

 

[wilserbrewer]

I'm thinking this. I'll have to dremel it down to size.

Any problems with using aluminized steel?

Aluminized steel is not a good choice, it will start to rust almost immediately anywhere that it has been cut, exposing the ferrous steel.

Sorry, but IMO this is a waste of money and effort.

 

[DesignatedDecoy]

I went with stainless steel




How high above the element should the FB sit? I'm going to solder it up right now

 

[DesignatedDecoy]

I went with stainless steel and silver soldered the legs on. Silver soldering creates a very strong bond. The legs are pretty solid.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1444607035.563233.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1444607046.195723.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1444607055.996086.jpg

I'm going to use the drain as I use low heat so it draws the heat down, and hopefully prevents burning the grain bag a little more. This will also circulate the water, so the water under the fb doesn't remain stagnant the whole time.


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[wilserbrewer]

As long as the FB is above the element you should be fine....any separation should work well.

 

[DesignatedDecoy]

Some more pics with the element. It's about 1" above the heating element.
(I still have to clean the metal filings)
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1444610282.313958.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1444610295.963414.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1444610309.929775.jpg


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