My Hybrid Stand

[JMichael]

Okay, so I’ve been brewing for about two years and finally decided to build a brew stand. I came up with a design that kind of combine’s pieces from other builds that I’ve seen online. I don’t possess the welding or metal working skills and farming the stand build out wouldn’t fit in my budget, so I decided to use the “Wallace” stand seen here. I also combined some of the gas plumbing from other builds I have seen. As for the control panel, well, it will be a typical control panel with a master power switch, two Auber temp control switches, and toggles for the STC valves and March pumps.

I might also mention that I have no previous experience working with gas or electrical panels so this build is turning out to be a huge learning experience for me. So far things have been moving right along. I have built the stand, mounted the burners (two 6” cast iron burners and one 10” banjo for the BK), built the main gas lines, and acquired three keggles (thanks to Sumit at LoneRider brewery). I still need to complete the gas connection to the main gas line and burners, build the control panel and outfit the keggles with another port or two and a hinged false bottom.

I think I need some help with the gas connections though. I would like to come from the tank to the main line at low pressure (the two 6 inch burners are low pressure) and then from the main line to the banjo using a high pressure regulator and adjuster (the banjo would be run manually). Not being a guru on gas I’m not sure if this is correct thinking, or if so, are there other issues I haven’t considered? Also, even though I’ve seen pilots setup like this on youtube and a couple of other build threads I’m not sure if this pilot setup will work.

Anyway, here are some pics. I would appreciate any input or thoughts you guys may have.

 

[JMichael]

last two for now

 

[android]

can't help you with the gas line question but that stand looks real nice!

 

[gratefuldisc]

I am not a guru on gas either but, you cannot use a regulator to increase pressure to your main burner. You would need a high pressure regulator for the whole main header then low pressure regulators to knock down that pressure to smaller burners.

 

[gratefuldisc]

again, not a gas guru but the pilot setup looks a little scary to me... especially if you do go high pressure in the header.

edit: nice job on the stand, I think I will likely go this route too when space allows me to build a stand. What was your materials cost for the steel?

 

[JMichael]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking about the pilot.

 

[JMichael]

The total cost from Lowes for the perforated angle, bolts, washers, nuts, braces, casters and paint was like $230.

 

[JMichael]

I am not a guru on gas either but, you cannot use a regulator to increase pressure to your main burner. You would need a high pressure regulator for the whole main header then low pressure regulators to knock down that pressure to smaller burners.

I wonder if the banjo could be converted to use low pressure. If the banjo could be setup as a low pressure then I would just need a way to adjust the burner. It would only be bringing the wort from around 150 to boil. It's a 100K BTU burner. I don't think that all three would ever need to be running all out at the same time either.

 

[kladue]

All that is needed to convert Banjo to low pressure is a 3/32" or a 7/64" drill bit for the gas jet fitting. It would be worth the effort to obtain honeywell Q314 pilot burners as they will be much easier and more reliable to work with. If you go to funace valves later all you have to do is install thermocouple in holder on pilot burner. When you go the low pressure route furnace valves for less than $70 from PEX Supply are the way to go, not much more than STC solenoids, and way cheaper than ASCO's.

 

[JMichael]

All that is needed to convert Banjo to low pressure is a 3/32" or a 7/64" drill bit for the gas jet fitting. It would be worth the effort to obtain honeywell Q314 pilot burners as they will be much easier and more reliable to work with. If you go to funace valves later all you have to do is install thermocouple in holder on pilot burner. When you go the low pressure route furnace valves for less than $70 from PEX Supply are the way to go, not much more than STC solenoids, and way cheaper than ASCO's.

Thanks for the reply Kladue. I have been reading other threads related to this same issue. I am going to be using propane and I am going to take your advise about drilling the jet fitting on the banjo burner. I assume you mean to drill the end that screws into the burner. This would give me three low pressure burners. Two controlled by the STC valves and then the one for the boil kettle could be controlled manually. Will I need a specific size regulator coming from the tank to the main line on the stand? Would your advice from this thread work?

Also, if I add the honeywell Q314 pilot burners will I need to add the pilot valves right away or will the burnes on the 1/4 inch copper tube be okay?

 

[kladue]

The fitting that goes into the Banjo burner is the target, a low pressure RV propane regulator will work well in this application for feeding the gas rail. As to the pilots, with low pressure a needle valve to adjust flame size is all that is needed. With the pilot burners in place you can insert thermocouples later if you go to standing pilot furnace valves, otherwise they are fine without thermocouples installed. They mount about 1/2" away from burner edge and top of pilot burner should be at top of burner (lay a flat surface on top of burner and slide pilot up until it touches).