Recirculating 3 Gallon BIAB Electric Brewery

[BoxBrewer]

So I got basically all my inspiration for this build here and decided to build my own.

So far I have nearly everything ordered and as assembled as I can. Right now the only things I don't have are my 32 qt Bayou Classic kettle and the GreatBrewEh beer pump. I'm using all quick disconnects, silicone hose, 2000 watt Rheem element, DIY Hopstopper, and a Chillzilla CFC. Basically I tried to make every piece as similar to Kal's electric brewery as I could. Here are some pictures of my progress so far (x-post from the eBIAB thread).

This is the diagram I am using. My friend works for a company building control boxes and so I had him wire it for me. 3 fuses and an e stop for protection.

I'd love to answer any questions for people considering this setup, and I am really excited for my first brew day!

 

[Rivenin]

do you have a running "total" and "parts list" going?

 

[limulus]

Very nice looking control panel. Let us know how it all comes together.

 

[BoxBrewer]

Mostly taken from jrb03's thread:

Pump - http://greatbreweh.com/Beer_Pump.html

Auber instruments - electronics
Project box - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_34&products_id=143
PID - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=3
SSR - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_30&products_id=30
Heat sink - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_30&products_id=244
Contactor - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_31&products_id=129
E-stop - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_32&products_id=259
Push button switch x3 - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_32&products_id=223
Buzzer alarm - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_33&products_id=215
Alarm switch - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_32&products_id=236
Rtd sensor w deluxe cable - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_15&products_id=246

Amazon
Terminal block - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00144CK7W/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Bargain Fittings:
2 ball valves- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=62
1 1/2" NPT Tee- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=65
3 female QD- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=215
3 Male QD MPT- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=197
1 1" NPT locknut- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=95
2 FPT hose barb- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=125
1 FPT compression fitting- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=132
2 NPT nipple close- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=55
2 1/2" NPS locknut- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=56
1 weldless sight gauge- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=83
1 FPT male QD- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=196
1 NPT elbow- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=51
1 MPT compression elbow- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=126
1 Pickup tube- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=94
1 NPT 45 elbow- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=50
1 NPT street elbow- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=120
1 MPT barbed- http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=61

More Beer
10 feet silicone tubing- http://morebeer.com/view_product/17608/104578/Silicone_Tubing_1_2"_ID_-_By_the_Foot
10 feet reinforced tubing- http://morebeer.com/view_product/17603/104578/Tubing_-_Reinforced_Vinyl_1_2_in_
1 GHT female- http://morebeer.com/view_product/17390/102342/Brass_Hose_-_Female_Hose_x_1_2_Barb
1 GHT male- http://morebeer.com/view_product/17392/102342/Brass_Hose_-_Male_Hose_x_1_2_Barb

McMaster:
1 of each
1-1/8" ID, 1-5/8" OD http://www.mcmaster.com/#98126A754
7/8" ID, 1-3/8" OD http://www.mcmaster.com/#98126A748
Smooth-Band Worm-Drive Hose Clamp http://www.mcmaster.com/#5574K14
1-1/2" ID, 2-1/4" OD http://www.mcmaster.com/#96853A253
30 X 30 Mesh http://www.mcmaster.com/#85385T956
Standard Straight Cord Grip http://www.mcmaster.com/#7529K411
Silicone O-Ring, AS568A Dash Number 111http://www.mcmaster.com/#9396K24
Silicone O-Ring, AS568A Dash Number 211http://www.mcmaster.com/#9396K32
316 Stainless Steel Smooth-Band Worm-Drive Hose/Tube Clamp http://www.mcmaster.com/#45945K61

Lowes:
Single gang electrical box http://www.lowes.com/pd_71209-53911-S100E-RL_4294722504__?productId=3663866&Ntt=electrical+box
2 covers http://www.lowes.com/pd_303624-5391..._?productId=3408140&Ns=p_product_avg_rating|1
12/3 wire for element

I think I am up to like $900 including the kettle, pump and chillzilla. You could probably save money on a bunch of the fittings, but I decided to go all out with the quick disconnects and all that stuff.

 

[BoxBrewer]

Very nice looking control panel. Let us know how it all comes together.

Here it is mostly wired up. Hoping to maybe give it a small test tomorrow.

 

[jrb03]

Looking good

 

[BoxBrewer]

Looking good

Thank you, sir! Big thanks to ya for your thread.

Got the control box fired up for the first time today. Contactor makes some noise, but I am going to assume that is normal. Just a buzzing, not too loud. Also, I was confused why the temperature was reading like 1100 degrees, but I quickly found out the default for the PID is not set to the RTD type sensor. Quick fix! Very excited to get everything put together around Christmas time

 

[BoxBrewer]

Got the thermometer for my CFC. Looking pretty awesome!

 

[Jon73]

I just brewed my first batch with my electric RIMS setup this past weekend. It's really exciting to be able to keep your mash temp within a degree of target. I hope it works out well for you.

 

[BoxBrewer]

I just brewed my first batch with my electric RIMS setup this past weekend. It's really exciting to be able to keep your mash temp within a degree of target. I hope it works out well for you.

Heck yeah! I am really excited to get mine all finished.

Got to use my chillzilla today, it was incredible! Got my wort TOO cold

Also finished up my DIY hopstopper. It doesn't fit in my current kettle, but when I get my new kettle for all the eBIAB stuff it should fit perfectly. Made from the 30x30 McMaster screen.

 

[BoxBrewer]

Got to work on the kettle this morning, a little hungover from Christmas...

 

[BoxBrewer]

Boiled some hops to see if the filter worked. Seems to do well.

 

[Kahler]

Nice. Keep the pics coming

 

[mikeysab]

How are you securing the element to the kettle? Is it just a silicone o ring and a 1" locknut on the inside of the kettle? Did you use another o ring on the outside, or is it just the one? I've seen these elements and it doesn't look like there's much thread to catch. Do you use a special element, or a piece to extend the threads? Thanks for any info you can offer.

 

[BoxBrewer]

How are you securing the element to the kettle? Is it just a silicone o ring and a 1" locknut on the inside of the kettle? Did you use another o ring on the outside, or is it just the one? I've seen these elements and it doesn't look like there's much thread to catch. Do you use a special element, or a piece to extend the threads? Thanks for any info you can offer.

I basically followed the way that Kal does it from theelectricbrewery.com, here is the link to their website on the way they attach the elements. I ordered the stainless 1" NPT nut and o ring from bargainfittings, got the 1.5" ID washer from mcmaster, and then the box from Lowes.

The o ring is on the outside, along with the big washer. There really isn't very much thread to work with, but it was enough and it doesn't leak! I will say that I had to flip the nut over so the groove was facing INTO the kettle, which helped to get it started.

Got to boil some water! Boiled off about 3/4 of a gallon in an hour.

 

[mikeysab]

Cool, that helps. Thanks a bunch for the link. I'd rather secure the element than make a heat stick.

 

[BoxBrewer]

Cool, that helps. Thanks a bunch for the link. I'd rather secure the element than make a heat stick.

Of course! Yeah, I really like the cleanness of electric setups. Definitely throw up a link on here if you start a build yourself

 

[BoxBrewer]

I made a little platform for the brewery. Still waiting for my GreatBrewEh pump... Not too happy with them.

 

[jrb03]

Looking great! I bought my pump from a member of the forum so I never had to deal with the Canadians. I do like the pump so far, perfect for these smaller rigs. Good luck!

 

[BoxBrewer]

Looking great! I bought my pump from a member of the forum so I never had to deal with the Canadians. I do like the pump so far, perfect for these smaller rigs. Good luck!

I found out there is a dealer on eBay I wish I would have used, but it's too late now. GreatBrewEh claims it will be here next week...

 

[BoxBrewer]

Still waiting on my pump.... Grr.

 

[Majic]

I really am impressed with the quality of your system. Will you please provide the part number of the Rheem element you used.

Thanks,

Lou

 

[BoxBrewer]

I really am impressed with the quality of your system. Will you please provide the part number of the Rheem element you used.

Thanks,

Lou

Here is the link. 2000w, 120v LWD.
http://bostonheatingsupply.com/SP10868GL.aspx

 

[Majic]

Here is the link. 2000w, 120v LWD.
http://bostonheatingsupply.com/SP10868GL.aspx

Thanks.

What do you think of this element and the cost vs the element and controls that you have.



http://www.mcmaster.com/#immersion-heaters/=l1w81j

 

[Carlscan26]

Who's the eBay dealer?

 

[BoxBrewer]

Thanks.

What do you think of this element and the cost vs the element and controls that you have.



http://www.mcmaster.com/#immersion-heaters/=l1w81j

You'll have to link to a part number.

Who's the eBay dealer?

What do you mean? For the pump?

 

[Carlscan26]

You'll have to link to a part number.

What do you mean? For the pump?

I wasn't clear sorry. Yes, who is the dealer on eBay for the pump?

 

[BoxBrewer]

I wasn't clear sorry. Yes, who is the dealer on eBay for the pump?

Here is a link to the ones that are supposed to be the same as the GreatBrewEh pumps: http://bit.ly/XkQX8f

I ordered it straight from GBE.

 

[Carlscan26]

Here is a link to the ones that are supposed to be the same as the GreatBrewEh pumps: http://bit.ly/XkQX8f

I ordered it straight from GBE.

Thanks!

 

[BoxBrewer]

Tomorrow should be my first brew day, consequently for my birthday! FINALLY got my pump in from GBE... Going to be doing a really simple pale ale, just to see what kind of efficiency I get and such...