My Weldless Build Using Strut

[kirbcheck]

Here's an alternate approach:

Exactly. Since a pump is required to move the water from HLT to MLT, no need to complicate the build by varying the height of each vessel.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

OK, after more thrashing, I've figured out a "3 tier" (one "tier" is the floor) stand that isn't 10' tall. It includes space to store the floor standing portion when not in use and can be done with 4 sticks of strut. Estimated cost is about $270.

 

[tonyOb]

When I build my brewstand, I'll listen to this as I do it!

 

[sweetcell]

two questions for the hivemind:

1) ALUMINIUM: does anyone see a problem with using aluminium strut? a few places sell it (McMaster-Carr, Grainger, etc.), it costs about the same as galvanized or painted steel. benefits would be lower weight and corrosion resistance (Al doesn't rust). thoughts?

2) FLAT STRUT: any opinions on using "flat" 13/16" width strut instead of standard square 1-5/8? i'm sure it will still be plenty strong - let's face it, standard 1-5/8" is overkill what what we're doing. the 13/16" stuff is both cheaper and lighter.

(in case you're wondering why a big strong manly man like myself is worrying about weight, i'm going to need to cart my stand out every time i use it, i'll need to bump it over a door-ledge or two... the thing will be on wheels, but 75 pounds will be less of a struggle than 100)

EDIT: it's occurred to me that Al has a lower melting point than steel (1221°F vs 2500°F) - not sure if that is a consideration for us. also, dunno what the potential long-term impact of heating and cooling Al is.

 

[bd2xu]

Mine is steel and heavy. I can mange it over a threshold but it's a PITA. With two banjo burners, two pumps, keggle with Herms coil, etc, dropping weight would be welcomed. Just as hard is guiding it around on 4 wheels. Would be much easier to have handles on one end and a way to elevate it like a float. I'd consider the method of rolling around as much as the weight.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1498868526.875102.jpg

 

[bd2xu]

Other thing is aluminum conducts heat VERY well. Would investigate how much of the rig would get hot. Would not want that extending past the top horizontal

 

[btbnl]

Other thing is aluminum conducts heat VERY well. Would investigate how much of the rig would get hot. Would not want that extending past the top horizontal

Mine is aluminum and I've never had a problem even with two Blichmann burners on full.

The Blichmann legs are just bolted onto angle pieces, which in turn are bolted to the strut. It has never felt anything but rock solid, even with 2 batches going at once.

It's light enough that I've even lifted it into a utility sink to clean off the baked-in grime of a thousand gallons of wort-boiling.

 

[arcorey]

My single tier strut stand on the inaugural brew. Previously did a hot water test to also burn off some of the galvanized. System works pretty good. Need to build heat shields as my PVC switch boxes are starting to melt from the burner heat.

 

[gifty74]

Nice looking build! Are those the burner mounts I sell? I've shipped quite a few so it is possible, just didn't know your name from your screen name. If so, hope they are working out well for you!

 

[arcorey]

Nice looking build! Are those the burner mounts I sell? I've shipped quite a few so it is possible, just didn't know your name from your screen name. If so, hope they are working out well for you!

Thanks, gifty74. Actually it is flat stock from Lowe's that I bent to fit. I cut and bent all 4 the same so the holes would match up and the burner be adjustable for height.

 

[gifty74]

Awesome! That is exactly what I make mine out of, funny. I sell them as a burner mount kit with 3/8" bolts and strut nuts, makes it easy for those just looking to mount up a few BG14s without going to the hardware store, cutting the stock, bending, etc.

 

[arcorey]

Awesome! That is exactly what I make mine out of, funny. I sell them as a burner mount kit with 3/8" bolts and strut nuts, makes it easy for those just looking to mount up a few BG14s without going to the hardware store, cutting the stock, bending, etc.

I wasn't quite sure on how this was going to play out and bought a stick of it one day on a whim. Works good. You didn't happen to make a BG-14 wind shield did you? That is my next chore. Was looking at making it out of heavy flashing.

 

[beernutz]

My single tier strut stand on the inaugural brew. Previously did a hot water test to also burn off some of the galvanized. System works pretty good. Need to build heat shields as my PVC switch boxes are starting to melt from the burner heat.

Nice and shiny looking setup. I assume that is a herms coil in your HLT? If so, how do you regulate the temperature of the wort coming out of it?

 

[arcorey]

Nice and shiny looking setup. I assume that is a herms coil in your HLT? If so, how do you regulate the temperature of the wort coming out of it?

Yes HERMS. I just get my HLT up to temp and manually maintain using the regulator valve on the burner. I found that keeping a low flame on the burner under the HLT would hold it right at temp. When it looked to be going hot I took the lid off and stirred and when it started to cool I raised flame. My wort temp on the bottom drain thermometer stayed within a few degrees of target for the entire 90 minute mash/recirc. When it raised or dropped it was because I was messing around grilling or talking to a buddy . The HLT runs about 1-2 degrees higher than the MLT output I noticed.

 

[b-boy]

You didn't happen to make a BG-14 wind shield did you? That is my next chore. Was looking at making it out of heavy flashing.

I did this with mine. I used flashing and just wrapped it around the PVC box. It's snaps off easily and does a great job of keeping the heat off the box.

 

[geoffm33]

Whew. Read through this whole thread yesterday. Great thread, awesome rigs. Thanks OP.

I am looking to build one for BIAB. There are a few plans that would work that I have seen, but they were basically adapted two station setups.

Does anyone have any plans or pictures of a single station BIAB setup?

Something like this (with or without the hoist)

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=310459

or

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showpost.php?p=4460937&postcount=100

Thanks!

 

[awsmith4]

Mine is steel and heavy. I can mange it over a threshold but it's a PITA. With two banjo burners, two pumps, keggle with Herms coil, etc, dropping weight would be welcomed. Just as hard is guiding it around on 4 wheels. Would be much easier to have handles on one end and a way to elevate it like a float. I'd consider the method of rolling around as much as the weight.
View attachment 405967

I noticed you were in Atlanta. Did you find all of the material locally?

 

[sweetcell]

Mine is aluminum and I've never had a problem even with two Blichmann burners on full.

The Blichmann legs are just bolted onto angle pieces, which in turn are bolted to the strut. It has never felt anything but rock solid, even with 2 batches going at once.

that is absolutely brilliant. i will be mounting my soon-to-be-acquired Hellfires exactly like yours, thanks for the inspiration.

QUESTION: how far apart are your upper struts (depth)? i can't find the dimensions of the Hellfire, so i don't know what size to make my stand. since i'm copying your design, might as well copy your dimensions

i'd greatly appreciate additional pictures of the Hellfire mountings... cheers!

 

[btbnl]

that is absolutely brilliant. i will be mounting my soon-to-be-acquired Hellfires exactly like yours, thanks for the inspiration.

QUESTION: how far apart are your upper struts (depth)? i can't find the dimensions of the Hellfire, so i don't know what size to make my stand. since i'm copying your design, might as well copy your dimensions

i'd greatly appreciate additional pictures of the Hellfire mountings... cheers!

My cross-pieces are all 13.75" - however mine aren't the hellfire burners but the previous generation.

 

[sweetcell]

My cross-pieces are all 13.75" - however mine aren't the hellfire burners but the previous generation.

hey @btbnl -

looks like your photo of the mounted burners, with the 45* angles holding them in place, are no longer online. any chance you could re-post it? or send it to me via PM?

i have just received my hellfire burners and am spec'ing out parts to assemble my rig. being new to strut, i have no idea how one would attach the 45* angles to the side of a channel where there are no holes. did you just run a right angle from the underside, going up (or from the top hanging down), then attached the 45* angle to that?

thanks!

 

[sweetcell]

a few days ago i pulled the trigger on the strutchannelfittings.com's Beer Brewing Stand Kit. made a small modification to the design, so that i can mount wheels at one end (only) - see attached mock-up.

i worked directly with the owner (or one of the owners) and he was a charm. he was very willing to work with me as i iterated through my design. originally i was going to go with all powder-coated (no stainless steel) and that knocked $90 off the price, but ultimately decided to pay up for the SS. if the standard design of the kit doesn't exactly meet your needs, don't hesitate to call the folks at strutchannelfittings.com. might take a few calls, tho, there isn't always something sitting by the phone... took me several days before i got through, but entirely worth it once i did.

i'll post pix once the thing is assembled.

 

[sweetcell]

a few days ago i pulled the trigger on the strutchannelfittings.com's Beer Brewing Stand Kit.
(...)
i'll post pix once the thing is assembled.

pix posted here.

 

[Konadog]

Well, after 5 years of brewing and at least 10 revisions, this is my final version for my equipment. Just need wheels and a second burner to finish things up.

 

[Foltzwagon Brewing]

Just wanted to add our set up to show that you can build a stand out of 13/16" strut. It is plenty strong and stable. I designed it so that we could turn it on end for storage.

 

[sweetcell]

Just wanted to add our set up to show that you can build a stand out of 13/16" strut. It is plenty strong and stable.

anyone who thinks otherwise doesn't know a thing about structural engineering. the common use of 1-5/8" strut is complete overkill. i'm guilty of using 1-5/8 - i wanted to use 13/16" but getting all the parts/hardware was proving to be a pain, so i just threw in the tower and went (too) big.

nice build!

 

[toms_Jeep]

Just wanted to add our set up to show that you can build a stand out of 13/16" strut. It is plenty strong and stable. I designed it so that we could turn it on end for storage.
View attachment 626630View attachment 626631

Your stand came out awesome..

 

[helterscelter]

Just wanted to add our set up to show that you can build a stand out of 13/16" strut. It is plenty strong and stable. I designed it so that we could turn it on end for storage.
View attachment 626630View attachment 626631

Nicely done

 

[brewskitom]

Just wanted to add our set up to show that you can build a stand out of 13/16" strut. It is plenty strong and stable. I designed it so that we could turn it on end for storage.

Inspired by your wheeled trolley for your pumps and controller, I built something similar for my setup. I don't have room for a full three vessel stand. I store my equipment in a closet in a spare bedroom and now brew on a fold up banquet table.

Here is my portable stand for my RIMS controller, pump, Bilchmann RIMS Rocket and counterflow chiller:

And it in action performing a recirculation mash:

And sparging:

 

[BrewDrinkRepeat]

Just wanted to add our set up to show that you can build a stand out of 13/16" strut. It is plenty strong and stable. I designed it so that we could turn it on end for storage.

LOVELOVELOVE the thoughtful, well-planned design to factor in compact storage... brilliant idea and execution!

 

[Backyard Brewer]

Just wanted to add our set up to show that you can build a stand out of 13/16" strut. It is plenty strong and stable. I designed it so that we could turn it on end for storage.
View attachment 626630View attachment 626631

Very nice stand! Would you mind sharing dimensions/plans? I’m planning a similar stand and need to store vertically.