Newbie AG need feedback on setup!

[brantley]

Hi everyone, I've never brewed AG before (or any by myself for that matter!). My friend brews AG and I've been over a few times to see it done firsthand. Also, he's going to help me with my first few batches, but I wanted to get some feedback from everyone first on my setup. I have some questions about it, too. I'm basing most of my knowledge off of reading forums, the joy of home brewing book, and some DVD's from Northern Brewing. I'm determined to make sure that I've got everything (or most things) in place before taking this on. Let me explain the setup I've got:

***for the pictures, click the link that says click here to proceed...etc.. i used a free hosting site for them***

"Here's a picture of the system (I've just been playing around with it in the house). I've got a 10 gal. hot liquor tank up top. The pictures for that are here inside http://www64.zippyshare.com/v/1080048/file.html outside http://www64.zippyshare.com/v/11998715/file.html. I installed a 3/8'' ball valve following directions from Mainlinebrewers.com (they had a helpful video on you tube). I also added a little bit of vinyl tubing purchased from Lowe's on the inside to aid in collecting the water. In the Norther Brewing DVD's they use a "siphon sprayer" that runs the sparge water to the MLT (and can be used to aerate the wort before fermenting). I will probably get this little piece (http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/review/product/list/id/588/) but for now I bought a little $2 sprayer from Lowe's that functions sort of like a shower head seen here http://www64.zippyshare.com/v/6363119/file.html. The second cooler is the MLT (10 gal) inside here http://www64.zippyshare.com/v/6814050/file.html and outside here http://www64.zippyshare.com/v/10286325/file.html. I followed the you tube directions from the folks over at Mainelinebrewers.com again for this one (http://mainlinebrewers.com/projects/) The inside has a stainless steel hose that functions as the filter/false bottom. The full list of parts can be seen here (http://mainlinebrewers.com/projects/mlt/). Finally, my brew kettle is 8 gal and aluminum, purchased from a turkey fryer kit. I'll be upgrading to a larger kettle in the near future. I also will be getting a wort chiller before starting.

Here are some questions that I have:

(1) In general, is this setup okay? Will it suffice for simple 5 gal batches the way it's set up?

(2) Is there anything special I need to do to these coolers before adding in hot water to them? Will adding hot sparge water (~170F) be a problem? (note: these are Rubbermaid coolers purchased from Home Depot)

(3) How long should the tubing be that connects each cooler/component? the shortest that can still reach is the best, right?

(4) Is the tubing that I bought from Lowe's okay to use? It's standard vinyl tubing (clear).

(5) Should I keep this shower head setup? And if so, should I just lay it in there or do something specific with it? I'm basically trying to make my system similar to the Norther Brewing one because it's helpful since I have their DVD's. I think this piece serves a similar purpose as the spigot sprayer, but not sure.

(6) Is the MLT setup okay? You'll see there's a little kink in the SS hose. I dropped a heavy wrench on it when installing. It and all other pieces function properly with water going through the system, but obviously, I don't know how it will work with grain. Is there any way to test this out before doing a whole batch? Should I just purchase a false bottom instead?

(7) Any other comments/suggestions you have for a first-time AG brewer?

If you made it this far, thank you! I really could use some help. Thanks!!!

 

[Dynachrome]

That's awesome. It's way more complicated than what I have.

Excellent post too. If you do it right though, I think you can get just the pictures to show rather than links.

It looks like it will work fine.

Tube length shouldn't be a problem. A little longer gives you adjustment.

If you are doing a wheat beer maybe throw some rice hulls on the bottom to avoid stuck sparges. I didn't catch what you planned on brewing.

Here is another thread where a guy is getting set up - my pics inserted.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/good-mash-setup-296446/

I have a 74 Qt Coleman Extreme.

 

[brantley]

Thanks for the feedback Dynachrome! I don't know what I'll be brewing yet myself, but it's reassuring to know I'm on the right track. Before I get ready to roll, I'll post with my first day brewing plans

 

[Tony3696]

Your setup looks a lot like mine with a few differences. I have a stainless tube ring with slots cut in it instead of the braid. (free tube from my last job) If you are dead set on using a braid, I would spring for a longer one from a washing machine hose or something like that. Also, use rice hulls if you are planning on using adjuncts and stir gently. A better solution would be to buy some 1/2" copper tubing and a few fittings and build a copper manifold with cuts in the bottom. (my friend did this and it works great!) I also made a cpvc sparge manifold instead of the sprayer and it works fine. Another thing to be ready for is leaks from around your valves. I started with some DIY valve setups, they didn't leak a lot, but they did leak (I see carpet in your picture). The hose lengths are more of a personal preference, I run mine with as little slack as possible, but to each their own. I use the same vinyl tubing that you have and have never had a problem. The most important thing to remember is to have fun! On brew day nothing ever goes as planned - you can't find that "thing" you need, SWMBO is nagging, meltdown at the power plant - RDWHAHB!!

:rockin:

 

[day_trippr]

The picture of the inside of your mash tun shows what sure looks like a collapsed braid that's likely to make lautering a pita. Might want to do something about that before you do a batch...

Cheers!

 

[brantley]

The picture of the inside of your mash tun shows what sure looks like a collapsed braid that's likely to make lautering a pita. Might want to do something about that before you do a batch...

Cheers!

Yeah, the braid is pretty delicate. Is there a way to reinforce it somehow? Any premade tubing that would work? Thanks for your help!!

 

[forstmeister]

Yeah, the braid is pretty delicate. Is there a way to reinforce it somehow? Any premade tubing that would work? Thanks for your help!!

I bought a Bazooka screen to use for my mash tun. Like this :http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/mash-boil-screen.html

It was only like 15-20 bucks at the LHBS, and it has never collapsed and I have never had a problem with stuck sparges. Overall, you look more sophisticated than I do and I have been doing this for over a year.

 

[brantley]

Forstmeister, I just bought something similar to replace what I had and it's SO much better. Definitely worth the $15 bucks! Thanks for the advice.

 

[Dynachrome]

For the braided line - just take the flexible PVC out and cut notches in it.

Then thread it back in. It gives needed support.

 

[forstmeister]

Forstmeister, I just bought something similar to replace what I had and it's SO much better. Definitely worth the $15 bucks! Thanks for the advice.

No problem! I hope you have good luck with it like I have.