Missing something? building brew system

[sublimenal]

I'm building a 3 pot system with the use of gravity and one pump, just wondering if you guys think im missing something? My main concern is, will the pump reach the boil pot if the mash tun is on the bottom?

Thanks for any input

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

Looks fine... just make sure there isn't more than 5' difference in height.
Question: Any reason the boil kettle is on a higher level than the mash tun?

 

[ilikethetrees]

If you leave the mash tun and HLT on the same level, and drain to the BK using gravity, you'll allow yourself the possibility at some point of a recirculated mash like a RIMS or HERMS system, using the pump to recirculate. You don't gain anything like this by pumping up to the boil kettle. Check out the layout of some HERMS systems for an idea, there are many good designs on HBT.

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

This design has Mash Tun and Boil Kettle on the bottom. Minimal footprint. It's direct fire but would work just as well as a HERMS or RIMS

 

[sublimenal]

Hey guys thanks for your input and advice, I am doing this because I already have a steel frame (which is a angle iron steel fish tank stand that can support a 100 gallon tank). So I figured the hlt on top drain with gravity to the mash tun then i can send the mash tun to a pump that has a Y shutoff valve, one that goes to the BK and one that goes back into the mash tun for recirculation. The height from the pump to the bK would be about 3 feet. Here is an actual picture of what im working with. Nothing is assembled. 20 gallon pots

My next issue would be drilling a hole in the BK so i can drain the cooled wort into my fermenting buckets. Also figuring out a way to put castors on.

 

[bucfanmike]

youre going to have to get the pump lower than the mash tun.

 

[bruderbier]

It's going to be hard to dough in the mash with the HLT directly over it. I would put the HLT under the BK and use quick disconects to move your hoses around.

But as bucfanmike said, the pump will have to be below all the vessels. So you'll want some big casters.

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

It's going to be hard to dough in the mash with the HLT directly over it. I would put the HLT under the BK and use quick disconects to move your hoses around..

Good catch!!

 

[flananuts]

I'm all for DIY and using what you have but I would dump the fish tank and get a metal rack from a home improvement store. I drilled and bolted the rack to the posts so it would support the weight and it gave me a 4'x2 foot print. You'll have more room to work with and you could go single tier. I would be concerned with maintaining mash temp in this pots unless you plan to insulate or recirculate.

Then again. I'm drinking while typing.