My Brewstand with pics (coming along)

[Copbrew133]

I did the final wet test on the system today with PBW and water rinse in preparation for brewing on weds or Thurs, if my order from Austin ever comes. There is a definite learning curve involved in running this system versus a cooler setup. I forgot to close a valve from the HLT before removing a ccam lock which led to some leakage and the check valve on the oxygen stone tubing did not work so I got water up into the regulator, but it doesn't do it when connect to the O2 bottle. Needless to say I learned some things, but then again that's the point. Luckily all the temp sensors and dials were all within one degree or less according to the Thermapen so that saved any headaches there. I shot a few vids, but none got saved apparently.

 

[Copbrew133]

Picked up a GFCI outlet for safety.

 

[Yankeehillbrewer]

The current overall view as it sits in the "junk room".

Nice build!

What is about GSD's that they manage to get in almost every picture? LOL, ours usually finds his way into almost every picture we take, usually just his tail or an ear.

 

[Copbrew133]

We've got three, so there seems to be one in every room of the house, lol. They're great dogs, I don't think I'll ever get a different breed.

 

[Copbrew133]

It's go time. Finally brewing in the morning!!!!!! Man, I've never been as excited to brew. I got the final steps done today in order to start it up for real in the morning. I had to build a collar on my ferm chamber in order to get two carboys in it (one on the hump), had to build a fan box for air recirculation in it, got the GFCI mounted, notched out an old lid for the Locline return and it fits perfectly in the opening of the MLT. I also found my vinyl numbering for the MLT sight glass that I thought I had lost so I got that sight glass calibrated and ready to roll. I'm not gonna sleep well tonight because of the anticipation. The first brew is gonna be the BYO clone for Bell's Two Hearted. Got the 20+ lbs of grains misted as I like doing wet milling. I like that beer, but it's not my favorite IPA. It is however my neighbor's favorite overall beer. My neighbor who also just had a very nice pool installed. I'm giving him half of this batch in return for access to the oasis, lol. This system is paying dividends already.

 

[Copbrew133]

A couple more of the ferm chamber. It'll do until I can get a conical and stand up freezer. Holding temp very well.

 

[KegOutlet]

Killer setup. Thanks for sharing! Might have to hire you!

 

[Copbrew133]

Thank you, however if you want the stand built in less than a year I'm probably not your guy, lol

 

[ddnisley]

Very nice set up

 

[Copbrew133]

Thank you sir.

 

[BigTuna]

Awesome rig man! I'm building a new rig and it's going to be pretty close to your set up. I have a few questions:

what type of fitting is that after your valve? I'm looking to take inline temp readings from the MLT since I will be recirculating with a herms coil.

Where did you get your kegs from? I've called liquor stores and distributors and haven't had any luck.

I'm not looking to build an E system like you have but I'd like a better way to get temp readings. Some have recommend a Hand help probe with the compression fitting from brewhardware.com but I'm looking for something a little more permanent solution. IE. inline probes.

Awesome write up and build!

 

[mux]

Looks great. That's a lot of cleaning to do after each brew day though.

 

[Copbrew133]

Thanks guys. The clean up isn't that bad. Took about thirty minutes. While the boil is going I get the mash tun cleaned out and take care of other things. It's definitely more than my old cooler setup, but I actually enjoy it.

The fittings coming out of the ball valves are close nipple to tee with a male camlock off the bottom and this, http://www.brewershardware.com/2-MPT-Thermowell-with-1-2-FPT-Inlet.html , thermowell out the front for temperature probe readings from the Love controllers. They sell alot of different thermowells so you can probably find something to fit your needs.

Sourcing kegs is always a debatable topic for folks, however because of my job the last thing I need is to get some kind of dealing in stolen property so I bought new kegs from Adventures In Homebrewing out of Michigan. They have variations on the coupler placement and will have them TIG welded for you if need be. Plus their customer service is really good. Heres a link if you want to check them out. http://www.homebrewing.org/Brew-Kettles_c_436.html

That compression fitting for the probe works really well by the way. I use it for my Thermapen on the outlet of the oxygen assembly.

 

[DuffyBros]

Awesome job Troy, I'll agree that Adventures in Homebrewing (HomeBrewing.org) is a great place and great service. If your looking for a completely assembled stand tho.. I can't say enough about Ruby Street Brewing Stands.. The stands are crazy nice and their customer service is top notch. They also have a digital controlled system coming out soon if your not comfortable DIY..

Duff-Man says a lot of things.. oh yeah! -Kev

 

[DrBrew809]

Copbrew133: Outstanding job. Take off my hat.
Hope some day i can borrow your ideas and build something similar here in the caribbean.
Tell us some day about what kind of beers you are making.
Cheers to you and to a job very well done.

 

[Copbrew133]

Thank you for the kind words guys. Take whatever ideas you want, because very little of this system was my original design. I did what I believe a lot of brewers do which is to take previous ideas and use them or to take the concepts and adjust them to what your particular needs or wants may be. For example my stand was designed like so many; based off Mr. McAlister's Brutus 10 design, but I wanted some extra width there to space the keggles apart and to increase kettle size someday if I wanted. There are so many variables in the systems components that one can use, that one can really personalize their system for their own personal needs. That's one of the many great things about brewing is that it is very personal in nature. It's generally up to you (or the wife!!!) and what you enjoy brewing, drinking or building...it is your own!

I've brewed some varied beers so far with the system including a Christmas ale, a smoked Scottish ale Inspired by Oskar Blues Old Chub, a dry stout, an oatmeal stout, and a couple IPA's. I bought a stainless hop spider not too long ago and I'm planning a stringent test of it with a big double IPA recipe that I've been working on developing with a lot of hops in it. I've gotten to the point with the system that I pretty much have things dialed in and know what to expect. That took about 3 to 4 sessions, but I am really happy with it. I am usually on HBT at least once a day so shoot me a message if I can help with anything when you get your build going.

One piece of advice I would have seems like common sense, but I got so caught up in the construction of the new brew stand, which took me from every brew being 5 gallons to most being 10, that I really neglected the cold side of my brewery. DUH!!! When you brew more beer it has to go somewhere, lol. I've had to buy more kegs and I'm still looking at increasing fermenter space (another freezer or fridge) and cold storage. Just ordered a 15 gallon Speidel fermenter so I don't have to split 10 gallon batches. These were things I had thought about, but didn't make it as primary of a concern as I should have. Live and learn right.