New Basement Build

[Strecker25]

Ive been updating Kal's site but I'll also post here. New basement build is underway. Kal inspired, 20G HLT, 15G MLT, 15G BK, chugger pumps, all hardware from Bobby_M (awesome stuff), Kal Kit is on order along with the diy rtd probes. I also plumbed in dedicated water supply and a 1/2" vinyl waste line was added that runs under the benches and over to the sink. Everything has stainless camlocks.

It all started as a nasty moldy room in the basement that I ripped the wall down to open the space. Its coming along nicely now, cant wait to get the panel built.

GFCI protection comes from a 30A GFCI Breaker in the main panel. The only downside to this brewhouse location is the sink is around the corner, but ill manage. The basement has a floor drain and all storage is off the floor in the path water would take if I really needed to hose it out after a big spill.

Edit: fixed the images and got rid of dumb imageshack links

http://imageshack.com/a/img89/79/0jrg.jpg

 

[kal]

It all started as a nasty moldy room in the basement ...

So you'll be brewing mostly lambics I take it?

Good luck!

Kal

 

[Strecker25]

Haha seriously, it was gross.

And I know I've said it on your forum but thanks again for all the work you put into your site and your products.

 

[Black]

Nice build !!!

 

[preamble]

Looking real good!

Tell me about the housing for your elements. Where did you get those?

 

[FunCat1828]

Looking real good!

Tell me about the housing for your elements. Where did you get those?

Those are from bobby!

http://www.brewhardware.com/rimsherms-parts-93/176-elementparts

 

[Strecker25]

Thanks guys. And yes those are from bobby. Awesome product, I purchased the kit that comes with the locknut and oring. Water tight the first time with my camco ripple elements. He even includes the ring terminals and shrink tubing

 

[Strecker25]

My DIY kit from Kal showed up friday, I had them pre-punch it.

Got it all wired up over Saturday and today, also got my 3 temp probes installed. The wiring is a bit of a mess right now, I didnt want to lock it all down without knowing it worked, but I heated some water today! Cant wait to get the first brew going next weekend.

A special thanks to Kal and Mike for getting this all out to me, the parts and kit are top notch. Ill be sure to post some brewery pics when its all mounted.

 

[kal]

Looks good! Time to brew something now!

Kal

 

[augiedoggy]

Looks more like the inside of my panel than most ( messy) I figured as long as I kept wires off the ssr, heat sink and fan I'd be OK and it would work just as well as if I spent all they time bundling everything.

I will likely start another panel soon since I have a lot of extra parts and a friend that turned me on to brewing who's still using propane has told me he wants to go electric but don't know where to start. Maybe I'll be neat and tidy building that one... I will certainly improve my panel layout.
Anyways.... looks good as Kal said, Time to brew!

 

[Strecker25]

Indeed, first time through is tough getting it all organized. There's enough slack to bundle stuff later on, but as you and Kal said...time to brew! It really is exciting to see bubbles form on the element the first time.

 

[fermentednonsense]

Curious.. why is your volt meter showing 000, while the unit is on? Looks great though!

Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Home Brew mobile app

 

[Strecker25]

Good eye, hadn't completed the second hot let yet. Getting a 239v reading now

 

[Strecker25]

two brews under my belt. Still working out the exact brewhouse numbers but efficiency was 88% for 7 gallons post boil, but im really shooting for 6 gallons so I ended up dumping a bit down the drain. I love the control of the whole setup and hitting temperatures every time is amazing. I find myself looking for things to do because the process is so simple now. Couldn't be happier with the way the whole thing came together. A few more pictures:

 

[hunter306]

Looking real good.

You posted a picture of the drain in your fan, have you found that this is necessary because the steam was condensing in fan, or is it just a precaution?

I just hung my fan, but I did not drill a drain hole. I may need to add one.

 

[Strecker25]

Yea I collect probably a quarter gallon of condensation. I had to also tape the crap out of the 90* duct and put duct insulation on to stop the condensation in the ducts. The basement is 57 degrees right now, and only 48% humidity, though, so your results may be less extreme

 

[hunter306]

Thanks for the input, a quarter gallon is way more than I was expecting to hear, looks like I need to add a drain.

 

[Strecker25]

So three beers under the belt. Using this brewery is amazing, everything goes so smooth. Im at exactly the same total brew day time that i was at with a batch sparge /propane setup even after adding a 60 minute fly sparge.

my calculated Mash efficiency is 95%, however my brewhouse efficiency is only about 78-80%. Im not overly concerned about this number as long as its consistent, but what does everyone else with similar setups see? Does your brewhouse number drop considerably from your mash number? It has to be losses in the system, and im guessing its mostly due to my 25' chiller and hoses. I may try a tip I saw Bobby_M post and dump a gallon or so of water into the kettle at the very end to flush the chiller.

 

[AfroHopster]

Ok might sound like a total noob but what plans did u use for your tables, I'm a rookie but want to build something like that in my basement

 

[everty2007]

Yea I collect probably a quarter gallon of condensation. I had to also tape the crap out of the 90* duct and put duct insulation on to stop the condensation in the ducts. The basement is 57 degrees right now, and only 48% humidity, though, so your results may be less extreme

Thanks for posting the drain idea. It's been a real pain draining my fan. Now I'll be adding drain thanks for the tip

 

[masskrug]

I love the way you converted that space. You must be single. Brew on!

 

[Strecker25]

Haha not single. Fiancé who bought my first beer kit, so she's to blame for the start of this sickness

The tables were just improv as I went. I'll be glad to take some measurements for you if you want, I think I have the cad drawing still as well. It makes for a functional space while still having plenty of storage. The lower table height for the kettles was key, and the cement board is a perfect material to hold the kettles as it's mold proof and absorbs liquid without sacrificing integrity after getting wet

 

[Strecker25]

Resurrecting my original thread. Unfortunately it looks like my old pictures are gone, I’ll try to find them and repost.

But, this is my new basement. I haven’t brewed in 6 years. I kept everything together to reassemble someday. Took me about a year to finish the basement of our new house, and I’m just about ready to run a water test and get the first batch going. Last step is to punch the hole in the house for the exhaust fan and I’m good to go.

Credit to @kal (not sure he’s still around here?) that the panel and elements fired right up without any issue so that certainly speaks to the quality.

I haven’t built out the keg/freezer side yet. Will need to do a trunk line, glycol, etc.

 

[Strecker25]

More pics of the space.

for the woodworkers - the slabs are all black walnut.

The back bar and booth table are patina copper with a 1/4” flood coat of epoxy. Walk behind the brewery is untreated copper sheeting, and the bar and hood are reclaimed red brick.

HT / audio people - screen is 143” 16:9 projected by a BenQ HT4550i. Denon x4800h, (3) fosi v3 amps for the front stage, KEF R7 L/R and soon to be KEF R6C for the center. Center height atmos and definitive surround L/R driven by the AVR. Sub is an SVS SB1000 Pro

 

[kal]

Credit to @kal (not sure he’s still around here?) that the panel and elements fired right up without any issue so that certainly speaks to the quality.

Still around!

Wow - beautiful work. Well done. I especially like the black walnut grain/texture in the bar and the table behind the HT seating.

Cheers!

Kal

 

[matt_m]

Before adding that fan, take a look at what a lot of us have been doing with steam condensers. Mine works better than my fan and is a lot quieter which is nice for watching TV while brewing.

 

[Strecker25]

Before adding that fan, take a look at what a lot of us have been doing with steam condensers. Mine works better than my fan and is a lot quieter which is nice for watching TV while brewing.

interesting! I can tell I've been away for a while, thanks for the heads up

 

[kal]

Definitely look at steam condensers and look at what's best for you. There are pros and cons for both.

Some thoughts/musings from talking to brewers who have used both:

At homebrew sizes, the popular steam condenser lids around are advertised as using between 15-25 gallons of water per hour which is a significant amount of water usage. A ventilation (fan based) system may be more expensive up front, but the water usage of using a steam condenser means there's a point where over time the additional water costs will cross what you paid for the vent system and overtake it (never mind the environmental impact of all that water if you can't save it).

The spray in many condenser lids setups are also very noisy and higher pitched. By comparison traditional fans produce a low drone noise or are almost dead silent when the fan is installed remotely.

Water usage aside and noise aside, the other thing people forget about steam condenser lids is the amount of heat generated: With a vent system you're bringing in air from the outside to replace the hot steam so that the room can't get uncomfortably hot as the air coming in will always be cooler than the air you're evacuating. The constant replacing of the air also means that the smell is removed from the brewery with a traditional ventilation setup. With a steam condenser setup both the heat and the smell stay right in the room. I know some brewers who use steam condensers and then *ALSO* later chose to install a traditional ventilation system to avoid having the room get too hot or smelly.

Depends on the room size and where you live of course, but in my case it's cold 6+ months of the year which makes it perfect for a vent system. My brew room temperature is always very comfortable, especially on the coldest winter days (even way up here in Canada ). I would never consider a steam condenser setup myself. It would be too hot/uncomfortable (and smelly).

YMMV of course - figure out what works out best for you.

Cheers!

Kal

 

[bike2brew]

I also use the steam condenser w/ no option for outside ventilation. My condensate goes to a 5 gallon bucket that requires constant attention for the length of the boil so other things to consider as well.

 

[Mad Mann]

I also use the steam condenser w/ no option for outside ventilation. My condensate goes to a 5 gallon bucket that requires constant attention for the length of the boil so other things to consider as well. View attachment 860842

Solved for this issue by using a 15 gal water tank and recirculating the water. No wasted water and no off flavors either.