I build a 'Blow-Off Tube Holder' on my lunch break.

[CorneliusRox]

Anything you guys think I should change? I'm going to try it out tonight. It's all aluminum except the steel fastener used for holding the tube at the top.

If needed, I'll add some extra weight to it, or just stack some steel on the platform.

 

[singybrue]

1 more thing to clean.
<shrug>

 

[bruteforce]

Neat. Have you had problems with the tubes popping out on you? That should do the trick of keeping them in place, and it looks like a fun build.

 

[flars]

I just use a paper binder clip to hold the tube to one of the legs of the shelf unit the fermentor sits on.

Nice representation though.

 

[Mexibilly]

Interested to see it in action

 

[k1ngl1ves]

Interested to see it in action

A possible Beer Volcano is positioned perfectly next to an electrical outlet.




I see you like to live dangerously as well.

 

[CorneliusRox]

Neat. Have you had problems with the tubes popping out on you? That should do the trick of keeping them in place, and it looks like a fun build.

Well, I had to tie it to things to get it to stay, and sometimes it seemed kind of sketchy. I've got an hour drive into work and I kind of thought about different solutions the whole way. This is what I came up with using some scrap laying around work.

I just use a paper binder clip to hold the tube to one of the legs of the shelf unit the fermentor sits on.

Nice representation though.

That sounds like it'd work great. I usually leave my carboys on the ground because it stays at a pretty good temp (mid-high 60's).

And thanks! I try and take pride in fab work.

Interested to see it in action

You're in luck! I took some pictures just for you.

And a video:
http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v733/TelevatorTMV/0119161946_zpsjjenux3i.mp4

A possible Beer Volcano is positioned perfectly next to an electrical outlet.

I see you like to live dangerously as well.

This made me laugh!

 

[Mexibilly]

A possible Beer Volcano is positioned perfectly next to an electrical outlet.

Honestly never considered that, but be sure, every time I set up there I will from now on.
That one is about ready and on an airlock now. Caught the wife just watching the trash bag bubble up and down a week ago. That's the day the tube went on.

 

[k1ngl1ves]

OP: 1 1/4" OD (1" ID) tubing fits nice and snug in the neck of a 6g-7g glass carboy. About 4 feet is all you need. Thick walls, so once you bend it into an arc, it doesn't move at all. You do have to hold it in an arc for a while to get it to stay. You can heat it with a propane torch too to speed it up. It'll hold that arc forever though... or at least until you replace it. Cheap too. Buy it at HD or Ace.


Those small diameter lines can easily clog. Maybe not this time. Maybe not the next... but it will eventually... and it won't be pretty. Lol!

 

[CorneliusRox]

OP: 1 1/4" OD (1" ID) tubing fits nice and snug in the neck of a 6g-7g glass carboy. About 4 feet is all you need. Thick walls, so once you bend it into an arc, it doesn't move at all. You do have to hold it in an arc for a while to get it to stay. You can heat it with a propane torch too to speed it up. It'll hold that arc forever though... or at least until you replace it. Cheap too. Buy it at HD or Ace.


Those small diameter lines can easily clog. Maybe not this time. Maybe not the next... but it will eventually... and it won't be pretty. Lol!

Good to know. I've got something to think about for the future.
I actually asked at the brew store I go to if I should just get a tube that fits the carboy nicely and they recommended the stopper and just hooking up to my airlock like that with 1/2" tubing. I'll see how it goes for at least this batch, but maybe I'll upgrade for the next.

 

[k1ngl1ves]

Good to know. I've got something to think about for the future.
I actually asked at the brew store I go to if I should just get a tube that fits the carboy nicely and they recommended the stopper and just hooking up to my airlock like that with 1/2" tubing. I'll see how it goes for at least this batch, but maybe I'll upgrade for the next.

Trust me. I turned my downstairs shower into a beer splatter house before! Thank God it was in the shower! After that, 1 1/4" tubing and never looked back.


As for brew stores, every time I've shown someone a recipe, the guys always recommend a little crystal malt would make a huge difference. I'm not big on taking beer advice from a guy who makes minimum wage...

 

[CorneliusRox]

As for brew stores, every time I've shown someone a recipe, the guys always recommend a little crystal malt would make a huge difference. I'm not big on taking beer advice from a guy who makes minimum wage...

This is exactly how I feel about guys who work at auto parts stores trying to tell me "what I really need to do"...

I'll pick up some tubing! Thanks again for the info.

 

[Dixon9717]

Does a blow off tube have to be food grade since nothing is supposed to go into the beer through it?

 

[CorneliusRox]

Does a blow off tube have to be food grade since nothing is supposed to go into the beer through it?

I'd say definitely not since it's submerged in StarSan water solution.
That being said, I think most aluminum grade aluminum is just 6061-T6 (which is what I used) that has been anodized. I don't think anodizing would work since StarSan is acidic, and would eventually eat it away.

 

[Redlantern]

I'd say definitely not since it's submerged in StarSan water solution.
That being said, I think most aluminum grade aluminum is just 6061-T6 (which is what I used) that has been anodized. I don't think anodizing would work since StarSan is acidic, and would eventually eat it away.

Anodizing would be wasted.

It is little more than a protective coating. It would take quite some time to eat away at what is there - if it happened at all.

There may be more of an issue with galvanic reaction making the bolt seize up, but the rest of the device will be fine. As long as the bolt is removed after being in a starsan environment, cleaned and not left installed, I can think of nothing that would ever be an issue.

 

[CorneliusRox]

There may be more of an issue with galvanic reaction making the bolt seize up, but the rest of the device will be fine. As long as the bolt is removed after being in a starsan environment, cleaned and not left installed, I can think of nothing that would ever be an issue.

Agreed. That was my only concern, and the reason I didn't weld a wingnut onto the bolt (kept the Zinc Nickle Black coating). But I couldn't find any aluminum fasteners lying around. I have a few off my motorcycle, I should see if any are standard M6.

 

[Mexibilly]

You're in luck! I took some pictures just for you.

Thank you. I honestly wasn't sure what it was. Now I see. Nice!

 

[k-moe]

I think there is a design flaw.

Do you see the small exhaust port that's right below the main port?


On a serious note; I like it.