New all electric build......

[Simphoto02]

Hey all,

Was an active member a while back and had a Brutus 10 system I built. Had a guy BEG me to sell it to him, Lazy bastard, so he threw stupid money at me and i caved. I am back at it since the misses asked...."Are we ever gonna brew again?"

Looking to build an all electric, Bottom draining, HERMS, Keggle, semi permanent system in an area of the under the house garage. I would LOVE to share pics but Photobucket has not been cooperating with me.

 

[gromitdj]

Down with Photobucket! Use postimages.org

Would love to see the build.

 

[Simphoto02]

Thanks Donnie, I have uploaded to that link.

Our build will be using some squirted commercial kitchen equipment. The three compartment sink and the 6" table.


We will also be using these EXCELLENT looking kegs as the Keggles.

I am looking at the feasibility of cutting the bottoms off and inverting the kegs so the Sanke D coupler mount is then plumbed for a drain to aid in CIP on the Mash Tun and the Boil Keggle. I will more than likely use the standard low front mount for the Wort transfer and Liquor re-circulation on all three keggles.

Looking to make a SPIKE clone, but with the bottom drain for CIP assist. Am I nuts?

 

[kh54s10]

Looking to make a SPIKE clone, but with the bottom drain for CIP assist. Am I nuts?

Yes, yes you are.... But in this case being nuts is a good thing.

 

[Simphoto02]

The primary concerns I have with the bottom drain are the size differences between the drain and the recirculating tubes. Everything else in the set-up will run 1/2" silicone and NPT fittings through cam-locks and ball valves. The drain coming out of the what was the top bung, is as much as 2" Tri-clover. I would like to use the 2" to drain straight to the waste lines (after the grain bed is removed) from the Mash Tun and to wash away the Trub after whirlpooling and transfer to the fermentation vessel. Use the HLT to supply hot water, as SPIKE does in their video, and PBW the mash tun and reticulate through the herms coil, wort chiller and Boil Keggle and then just rinse all that down the drain.

The necessary 3 way 2" ball valve to facilitate the use as both a waste drain AND a recirculating port, from Amazon is over 165.00 each. And I am not too sure I would not have to tear it all down anyway to make sure crap isn't kidding.......

Anyway, first order of business is to get the Kegs cut. then get them to my welder buddy for the fittings.

 

[jcav]

Hey Simphoto, I remember you and I remember your build and learned a lot from you and Kladue, when you guys used to post. Especially about those gas valves! Good to see you back at it. I ended up converting my Brutus and built an electric e-herms (Kal clone with keggles) and I love it! Keep the pics coming and good luck with your new rig!

John

 

[AkTom]

I’ll be watching too.

 

[Simphoto02]

Hey Simphoto, I remember you and I remember your build and learned a lot from you and Kladue, when you guys used to post. Especially about those gas valves! Good to see you back at it. I ended up converting my Brutus and built an electric e-herms (Kal clone with keggles) and I love it! Keep the pics coming and good luck with your new rig!

John

Jcav,

Yeh that was s fun build. Thought the misses was pissed this whole time. Turns out she understood and wants another. So we are off to build it. First keg got cut last night. Cutting the bottoms out so started with a center hole:


The used the same jig idea only didn't need the 2" whole saw for the top bung. used a screw in the center hole to cut a pretty good cut.


The tried the Lid. I used these lids from Ikea on the Brutus. and they are cool, tempered glass with a stainless rim. Pretty good fit.


There is a guy here in Louisville who has a cool system. On his HLT and Mash Tun he actually cut off the top handle rim and has a smooth rounded transition on the top. I had been toying with the idea of doing the same but it will be a PITA and take time. Then he told me why he did it. As a CIP system if mash grains got down in that tight spot they would be a PITA and even impossible to remove. All I needed to hear. Might wait till I get them back from my welder buddy to do that. Have to see what the weekend holds. Crappy weather, more work done on the Keggles....

More updates to come.

 

[Elky]

The primary concerns I have with the bottom drain are the size differences between the drain and the recirculating tubes.

Check out brewhardware, they have a pre-made assembly for converting kegs to bottom drain. you cou'd buy one or use it as a template to make your own I'm sure

 

[Simphoto02]

Check out brewhardware, they have a pre-made assembly for converting kegs to bottom drain. you cou'd buy one or use it as a template to make your own I'm sure

I was kind of chatting with Bobby about that. Amazon has a 2" 3way Ltype valve in 304 SS and i was thinking about adding a 2" TC fitting to that, attaching to the bung of the keg and off the two other 2" valve ends having a 2" waste drain line and a Step-down to 1/2" cam lock for recirculating, using a FB in the boil and Mash Tun and in the Boil making sure to bag my hops to cut down on the trub as much as possible.

 

[Simphoto02]

Sorry have been busy with other issues lately. Here are the boys, Pre Polishing but ready for welding. I have a buddy who does the sexiest sanitary tim welding... in his hands now.

Inverted with the Bung as a 2" drain for CIP.

Got a lot of polishing to do, but not till I get them back.

 

[Simphoto02]

SLOWLY getting stuff together. Just scored two Front inlet Chugger pumps, one of the BRAND NEW IN THE UN-OPENED BOX, for a Buck seventy-five. Used one is clean and appears to be in working order. Gonna do a wet test on it later. Waiting patiently on the welding of the keggles.