NattyBrew's Electric Brewery Build

[NattyBrew]

One quick comment on this picture. The piece of metal you see in the HLT is a Camco Magnesium Water Heater Anode which I have added to prevent rust on the element face. I know some people have had varied results with different methods but using a magnesium anode as it was designed to protect a water heater element seemed like the best way to do it!

 

[NattyBrew]

Looks great! Now, start brewing!

Quick on the draw there. I wasn't even done!

And I definitely plan to start brewing on this puppy ASAP. I am going to to a "mock" brew day with water next weekend to get the feel for the system then the plan is to do the innagrual brew on memorial day weekend with a couple of buddies. Recipe suggestions for a simple but tasty brew are welcome! I am leaning towards just whipping up a ten gallon batch of EdWort's Haus Pale since I've brewed that before and figured it be a nice and easy beer to break the system in with.

 

[hatfieldenator]

No way, no need to start with an "easy" beer...Go for a nice big Imperial IPA! Give your hopstopper all it can take!

 

[NattyBrew]

Haha, that's exactly what my home brewing buddy told me last night when I was talking about the inaugural brew. I may change my mind after my practice run on the system and get more comfortable that I won't screw up my first ever ten gallon batch on the first run.

 

[milldoggy]

Is that the 20 lowes shop vac? Have you tried it yet? My yellow hand me down could use an upgrade.

 

[NattyBrew]

I got the shop vac at Lowes for maybe 30 bucks? I can't quite remember off the top of my head. It has worked perfectly fine so far for me. It has plenty of power for sucking all the water out of different parts of your brewery. I think it it a pretty good balance of size and power, though its a pretty small vacuum so it can only hold about two gallons or so before needing to empty. That may be too annoying for some, but so far it was a good buy IMHO.

Matt

 

[ThickHead]

What diameter cork mats did you go with?

 

[NattyBrew]

They are 14" cork mats from Amazon which nearly exactly fit the size of the bottom of the Blichmann pots. They have a black plastic backing on them that I was kind of worried about when I got them in terms of possibly melting from the heat of the boil. After my first test run the plastic was warm, but not soft at all so I think they will hold up just fine. We'll see if I run into any issues down the road with their durability.

Here's the link to the ones I bought if you are interested: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004R1PLQ6

 

[Lechien]

Natty,

How long did you go with the herms coil and is it 1/2" OD? I'm starting a similar build and couldn't find and answer.

Great build by the way.

 

[NattyBrew]

I went with a 50 foot coil of 1/2 inch stainless steel tubing. My actual coil is actually only about 45 feet or so thanks to me getting a little aggressive with the re-coiling process and kinking the tubing.... Whoops!

 

[ThickHead]

They are 14" cork mats from Amazon which nearly exactly fit the size of the bottom of the Blichmann pots. They have a black plastic backing on them that I was kind of worried about when I got them in terms of possibly melting from the heat of the boil. After my first test run the plastic was warm, but not soft at all so I think they will hold up just fine. We'll see if I run into any issues down the road with their durability.

Here's the link to the ones I bought if you are interested: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004R1PLQ6

Thanks for the info and the link. I will be beginning to piece a similar build together over time very soon. Only my starting point will be the Boil Kettle first to add full boil capabilities to my current stove-top process.

 

[NattyBrew]

Glad to help! Keep us all updated on the build, and make sure to post pics along the way.

Matt

 

[cyberbackpacker]

Excuse me if I missed it, but is the cork mat just between the pots and the wood sculpture to absorb some of the heat?

 

[ThickHead]

Excuse me if I missed it, but is the cork mat just between the pots and the wood sculpture to absorb some of the heat?

That's the idea.

 

[NattyBrew]

Exactly. The idea is just to protect the wood from the boiling pot heat which could damage the wood over time. They are simple to use, and a cheap extra layer of protection. I just bought three mats to put under each of the three pots. They probably aren't needed at all under the HLT and MLT since they never get to boiling temp but I just went with the extra insurance anyway.

Matt

 

[EarthBound]

Beautiful work, buddy! You must be proud.

I have one of these, too. From HF, right? I use it for my mill's drill. What do you use it for?

 

[NattyBrew]

Thanks! I will be proud once I have some awesome beer being made on this puppy.

That is a fan speed controller I use to slow down my Vortex Inline fan. I don't need it running on full blast when I am heating the water in my HLT or mashing in my MLT. The speed control allows me to keep the fan on low just to evacuate some of the heat from my brew room and then crank it up to full power during my boil.

Kal made his own fan speed controller, but I copped out and bought one from the same place I got my Vortex fan, Flora Hydroponics.

Matt

 

[jdlev]

Beautiful work, buddy! You must be proud.



I have one of these, too. From HF, right? I use it for my mill's drill. What do you use it for?

Which do you guys think would be better...one of those variable voltometers (what's the technical name for it...I don't know...remember..I'm a noob!) or simply controlling flow from the pump via a ball valve?

 

[wedge421]

Ugg so jealous!!!!! Looks amazing man

 

[NattyBrew]

Which do you guys think would be better...one of those variable voltometers (what's the technical name for it...I don't know...remember..I'm a noob!) or simply controlling flow from the pump via a ball valve?

Personally I think I would rather just control the flow via a ball valve. These pumps are designed specifically so you can put a ball valve on the output and control flow that way. As awesome as it is to have certain things automated, I think the ball valve just would be a simpler and better option.

But hey that's just my opinion, it ain't my build!

Matt

 

[NattyBrew]

Ugg so jealous!!!!! Looks amazing man

Thanks man. I don't think it's quite set in yet that this whole thing is actually really put together and it's all mine to use. Can't wait for my first brew session!

 

[Lechien]

Natty,

Do you have and want to sell the 9/16" and 1 1/4" chassis punches? I need them for my build and didn't want to buy new ones.

 

[NattyBrew]

Natty,

Do you have and want to sell the 9/16" and 1 1/4" chassis punches? I need them for my build and didn't want to buy new ones.

Yeah I have all three Greenlee Punches: 9/16, 13/16, and 1 1/4 inch punches. If you or anyone else is interested in them just let me know and we can work something out.

Matt

 

[ThickHead]

Yeah I have all three Greenlee Punches: 9/16, 13/16, and 1 1/4 inch punches. If you or anyone else is interested in them just let me know and we can work something out.

Matt

You could work out some kind of a rental deal to recuperate your cost. I know the layout for the specialty tools alone (just for the kettles) is nearly $200. Of course there is always a risk that someone doesn't return them. Could work a deposit somehow I suppose.

GreenLee 9/16" round chassis or radio (not conduit!)*punch 1 $39.45
GreenLee 36414 1-3/8"*step drill bit 1 $67.65
GreenLee 1-1/4" round chassis or radio (not conduit!)*punch for making 1-1/4" diameter holes 1 $73.48
2-1/4"*bi-metal hole saw for making 2-1/4"*diameter holes* 1 $11.92

 

[NattyBrew]

That's something I've never even thought of Chad. I'd be more than willing (I think) to lend out some tools to some fellow home brewers. Heck I'd even take some partial payment in solid home brew!

If anyone out there has some interest in renting any of my tools respond here, or send me PM. If I get enough of a positive response I will probably try and set up some sort of program to help out anyone else tackling an electric brewery build.

I would probably have the following available since I really don't have much use for them after this project:

Greenlee 9/16, 13/16, and 1-1/4 chassis punch
Greenlee Step Bit

Let me know guys!

Matt

 

[Lechien]

Throw some numbers at me and I'll use them and send them back.

 

[wegz15]

You should get a list together and send it from one to the next. This way you wouldn't have to keep mailing them out.

I'm sure if some one didn't return them your could contact the persons local police. You would have his address and proof that they are yours.

 

[milldoggy]

I have most of the tools and punches if anyone in the philly area wants to borrow them. I let them to a brewer and was able to fit them in a 5 dollar flat rate usps box.

 

[bellinmi88]

I also have a bunch of the same tools now collecting dust. Perhaps a group effort to offer up to other members for rental with partial proceeds benefiting HBT

Just a thought

 

[NattyBrew]

I also have a bunch of the same tools now collecting dust. Perhaps a group effort to offer up to other members for rental with partial proceeds benefiting HBT

Just a thought

I like the idea! Honestly these things were going to sit on my workbench to collect dust at well. What's a fair rate for all you guys/gals out there? 5-10 bucks per punch? Honestly I am just taking a shot in the dark here. If I am way off base let me know.

Matt