New equipment and/or upgrades discussion

[Five28 hz]

I used my Blichmann burner this weekend and I have to say, it is pretty awesome. Putting it together was a piece of cake. It's sturdy as hell and the 24" leg extensions keep the kettle at a nice, convenient height.

The burner is super quiet. I could hear it when I was kneeling down near the burner itself, but when I was standing, barely a whisper. Defintely quieter than my last burner which sounded like a jet engine.

It heated 7 gallons strike water up very quickly. With my prior burner, I always milled my grain while waiting for the strike water to get to temp. Usually had plenty of time after milling my grain since the old burner was such a hunk of junk. This past brew day saw me rushing to get the 22 lbs of grain milled as the water was ready before I finished milling.

Can't really speak to how efficient it is with regards to propane usuage, but it is said to sip where some other burners slurp.

The only issue I had this weekend was that the burner was so powerful it had my sight glass violently boiling even though I had the shield under it. Need to figure that out (bigger shield, perhaps).

It's not an inexpensive piece of equipment, but it's definitely a quality burner that I don't see myself replacing any time soon.

Do want, can't afford right now.

 

[axeman91821]

It takes way too long for my wort to chill down in the summer, so I think this might have to be my next purchase.

http://jadedbrewing.com/products/the-hydra

 

[CharlieMurphy1]

The most recent upgrade was a good one. 400 micron stainless steel mesh hop basket filters.

http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/brewingfilters.php

Keeps my plate chiller from clogging and more convenient than hop bags.

You should get a kickback from them. First opened this thread last night. Bought 2 last night.

 

[Snarf1]

After brewing about 500 gallons all grain with a corona mill, I just used my new roller mill. I'm so excited I might brew twice today.

 

[Chest Rockwell]

Thermapen Sale:
http://thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/splashproof_thermapen_open_box_sale_july_2014.html

 

[SirDickButts]

It takes way too long for my wort to chill down in the summer, so I think this might have to be my next purchase.

http://jadedbrewing.com/products/the-hydra

i've been thinking about purchasing the hydra for a while now. these hot summer days in TX can be a PITA.

 

[axeman91821]

i've been thinking about purchasing the hydra for a while now. these hot summer days in TX can be a PITA.

I haven't been able to take too much advantage of mine yet, because the groundwater is still pretty warm. Doesn't matter how much coil there is, I can't really get beers below 90 or so with a chiller this time of year. That said, I do get down to that a bit faster than before. Really looking forward to seeing what it can do once the summer's over.

 

[SirDickButts]

im using a pre-chiller/immersion chiller combo right now. i get the wort down to 100-90 and then add ice into the pre-chiller bucket, stirring both wort and pre-chiller bucket like a mad man! it usually takes around 15 mins to get to 66-68 degrees.

i was thinking of switching over to a submersible pump and recirculating ice water through the pump, back into the ice water bucket.

 

[axeman91821]

im using a pre-chiller/immersion chiller combo right now. i get the wort down to 100-90 and then add ice into the pre-chiller bucket, stirring both wort and pre-chiller bucket like a mad man! it usually takes around 15 mins to get to 66-68 degrees.

i was thinking of switching over to a submersible pump and recirculating ice water through the pump, back into the ice water bucket.

Yeah, I was thinking of getting a pump to run ice water through the chiller as well. Right now, I chill to about 90, rack to the fermentor, and just stick that in an ice bath and leave it for a while. Works well enough that I might be too lazy to get a pump setup going.

 

[Beerontwowheels]

I bought the Blichmann beer gun last week. Haven't used it yet. I need to get a splitter or some sort before I can use it. Planning on using it to bottle the TBHC IPA, so I hope it really is as easy as folks say it is.

 

[Thorpe]

I bought the Blichmann beer gun last week. Haven't used it yet. I need to get a splitter or some sort before I can use it. Planning on using it to bottle the TBHC IPA, so I hope it really is as easy as folks say it is.

It really is insanely easy. Have pressure on keg and gun around 4 psi and make sure the keg is nice and cold. I usually use cold water for my StarSan solution as well as an extra preventative against foaming.

 

[Beerontwowheels]

It really is insanely easy. Have pressure on keg and gun around 4 psi and make sure the keg is nice and cold. I usually use cold water for my StarSan solution as well as an extra preventative against foaming.

Do you use a separate co2 tank for the gun or a splitter with one co2 tank for both gun and keg? I wouldn't mind getting a back up tank for times when my primary tank runs out, but not really looking to spend the extra money on tank/regulator if a splitter will work just as easily.

 

[Thorpe]

Do you use a separate co2 tank for the gun or a splitter with one co2 tank for both gun and keg? I wouldn't mind getting a back up tank for times when my primary tank runs out, but not really looking to spend the extra money on tank/regulator if a splitter will work just as easily.

I either use two separate tanks or a single tank that has two separate regulators, but that's just because I have them. In the past, I had used a splitter with the pressure at 4 psi and that works fine too.

 

[axeman91821]

I typically use two separate tanks because I like having a second tank on hand for serving in case my first tank runs out.

 

[SirDickButts]

been thinking about purchasing the blichmann beer gun as well...

i've been using my "we no need no stinking beer gun" filler and it works quite well.

 

[justforrazors]

been thinking about purchasing the blichmann beer gun as well...

i've been using my "we no need no stinking beer gun" filler and it works quite well.

I approve of the beer gun. I actually haven't used any other counterpressure fillers, but it works very well and I have no complaints.

 

[schmidlove]

I used my Blichmann burner this weekend and I have to say, it is pretty awesome. Putting it together was a piece of cake. It's sturdy as hell and the 24" leg extensions keep the kettle at a nice, convenient height.

The burner is super quiet. I could hear it when I was kneeling down near the burner itself, but when I was standing, barely a whisper. Defintely quieter than my last burner which sounded like a jet engine.

It heated 7 gallons strike water up very quickly. With my prior burner, I always milled my grain while waiting for the strike water to get to temp. Usually had plenty of time after milling my grain since the old burner was such a hunk of junk. This past brew day saw me rushing to get the 22 lbs of grain milled as the water was ready before I finished milling.

Can't really speak to how efficient it is with regards to propane usuage, but it is said to sip where some other burners slurp.

The only issue I had this weekend was that the burner was so powerful it had my sight glass violently boiling even though I had the shield under it. Need to figure that out (bigger shield, perhaps).

It's not an inexpensive piece of equipment, but it's definitely a quality burner that I don't see myself replacing any time soon.

By chance do you know the BTU's, or have a link? Trying to gauge burner power by boil time. I'v been shopping around for a single burner, found a "Bayou Classic Burner 55,000 BTU's" on CL, with a 7.5 gal aluminum pot (asking $75, $40-55 to low of an offer for used?). Anyone notice differences in aluminum vs stainless steel besides heating and cooling? Cleaning agents are limited with aluminum too right?

Upgrading my set up to all grain, most likely staying with 5 gal batches. Any advice/recommendations are appreciated

 

[Five28 hz]

Definitely get a 42 qt boil kettle for 5 gallon batches. A 30 qt boil kettle is way too limiting, especially for brews with 90+ minute boil times.

 

[Beerontwowheels]

I'm going off memory, but I think the blichmann is like 72k BTUs.

It's treated me well. A big improvement over my last burner from bass pro shop. Brings strike water up to temp quickly and boils in no time. Burns cleaner than the last cheapo I had. No soot to wipe off at the end of the brew day.

I'd recommend it. It's pricey, but will last you a loooong time.

 

[schmidlove]

Thanks for that info @Five28, I tossed around the idea of a 10 gal pot but saw that add and justified the purchase due to price. Beerontwowheels I'll definitely consider the upfront cost as an investment, even if it's not that brand/model, I can see the extra power alone being a time saver which only saves money in my eyes. Thanks guys, appreciate the advice!

 

[axeman91821]

I'll just say that I'm also in love with my Blichmann burner. Works great, and it's way less noisy than the Bayou Burner I was using before, which is nice for when people come by during brewday.

 

[Ziggy]

Has anyone here converted a stainless steel keg into a brew keggle?
I'm taking steps towards crafting my own keggle, but was wondering if it was easier to use a plasma cutter or a sawzaw for cutting open the top?

 

[Snarf1]

Has anyone here converted a stainless steel keg into a brew keggle?
I'm taking steps towards crafting my own keggle, but was wondering if it was easier to use a plasma cutter or a sawzaw for cutting open the top?

You have a plasma cutter and this a question?? Dont use sawzall either way. Angle grinder is pretty easy.

 

[Ziggy]

You have a plasma cutter and this a question?? Dont use sawzall either way. Angle grinder is pretty easy.

HVAC guy that works in my building says the plasma cutter can be a difficult to cut a "perfect circle" with.
Plus all of that burnt residue from the hot work.
Not my plasma cutter, i would be borrowing it.

 

[Snarf1]

HVAC guy that works in my building says the plasma cutter can be a difficult to cut a "perfect circle" with.
Plus all of that burnt residue from the hot work.
Not my plasma cutter, i would be borrowing it.

Then use an angle grinder with a cutting disc and then a flapper.

 

[Ziggy]

Then use an angle grinder with a cutting disc and then a flapper.

I'm always a bit reluctant to use an angle grinder for anything ever since one almost killed me on a job site a while back haha.
Guess i'll give the grinder a shot.

 

[SirDickButts]

I found my next purchase...

http://www.norcalbrewingsolutions.com/store/Brewing_Paddle_Whirlpool_Paddle.php

this will definitely help speed up the whirlpool and cool break action...

 

[Beerontwowheels]

I found my next purchase...

http://www.norcalbrewingsolutions.com/store/Brewing_Paddle_Whirlpool_Paddle.php

this will definitely help speed up the whirlpool and cool break action...

Do you use an immersion chiller? Does your kettle have a ball valvle on it?

If so, adding a pump and whirlpool arm to my immersion chiller was one of my best investments. Once the boil wraps up, turn on the chiller, start the pump up and walk away for 15 minutes. Worth the extra money to me.

 

[SirDickButts]

holy crap! i did not think of that and yep....i have both immersion chiller and kettle w/ ball valve.

i have yet to buy a pump. i think i'll do that right now.

 

[Beerontwowheels]

holy crap! i did not think of that and yep....i have both immersion chiller and kettle w/ ball valve.

i have yet to buy a pump. i think i'll do that right now.

I used this as a base. Works great.

http://www.mrmalty.com/chiller.php

Better to spend that 30$ on a pump rather than a drill bit for whirlpooling, IMO. The pump serves a few purposes, especially as you ramp up production beyond 5 gallons.