Scuba's Herms Build!

[ScubaSteve]

ScubaSteve, If you want to increase rigidity you could always run 2 more pieces of angle iron lengthwise the width of your keggles and cradle them so they don't go anywhere. I'm sure it'd be a bit more expensive but just another idea. Not sure if you have thought of it or not yet. I'm sure it'd work great without as well.

You mean like a crossmember? I have some scrap left over from the iron I cut. I though about doing that....but If I drill into the steel to secure these crossmembers I might weaken it. I think I might get my burners, etc. in and see how it rolls. If anything comes up I'll just adapt and overcome.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Get some cheap (goodwill) stainless kitchen pots.

Good idea, man....I'll keep that in mind.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Allright guys-

So it's the 15th (payday) and that means I got a new lease on homebrew! SWMBO is always more tolerant of beer-related purchases around this time! Anyway, just got 2 banjo burners for the build at $25 each! Look here, if you're interested: http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-BG14-Banjo-Burner/dp/B0009JXYTG/ref=sr_1_3/104-0162148-2777526?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1187238251&sr=8-3A good deal, I think! Then, after a lot of thinking, I got a 20 PSI regulator. I figured that I'd never turn those beasts up full blast....and besides, I've got a wood stand. I don't need a 30 PSI regulator like the KAB4 had. It's all about good beer in the end, no how freaky powerful the burners are! I'm SURE I'll get more than enough juice at 20 PSI. My mash tun in this build will be fired by an Eastman Outdoors "revolution" burner. Check it out here:http://www.eastmanoutdoors.com/hardware.shtml It's easily controlled at low temps, just like I want for the MLT. Supposed to be 65K BTU and this thing is pretty scary when I turn it all the way up. The banjo is supposed to be 185k BTU using a 20 PSI regulator....that's like 3 times the power! My wife actually had a subscription to Amazon prime (free 2day shipping), so I should get it all on Monday. I gotta work all weekend, so I don't mind.

 

[Craig5_12]

Yeah, I had though about coffee cans....But Bobby makes a good point with rust/paint issues. I was thinking maybe I could use Hi-Temp rustoleum.....but that still may be too hot. I've seem aluminum flashing/round ducting that might work well too.

You can use the High-Temp BBQ paint, it's flat black so it's not real pretty, but I don't think you'll have a problem with it coming off. I sprayed it on the bottom of my MLT, HLT and BK and haven't had any problems at all. It's nice having them black because they're absorbing heat instead of reflecting now.

Thanks for the link on the burners too, when I move (this weekend) my natural gas burners will no longer be used and I'll need to make the switch to propane...and these puppies were just what I was looking for!

 

[ScubaSteve]

You can use the High-Temp BBQ paint, it's flat black so it's not real pretty, but I don't think you'll have a problem with it coming off. I sprayed it on the bottom of my MLT, HLT and BK and haven't had any problems at all. It's nice having them black because they're absorbing heat instead of reflecting now.

Thanks for the link on the burners too, when I move (this weekend) my natural gas burners will no longer be used and I'll need to make the switch to propane...and these puppies were just what I was looking for!

Yeah, the banjo burner seems to be the way to go. There are cheaper burners out there that would probably do a great job....but none that look so awesome. I know I would forever live in envy of those who have them in their setups. They may be overkill, but at least I will be able to turn them down when I need control, and should I need to put the smack down....I can

Craig- You said you put the black paint on the bottom of your vessels...what do you use? Kegs or kettles? I guess if I were to use it on my kegs, I'd just put it on the underside out of view.

 

[Craig5_12]

Yep, thats exactly what I did. I put 3 coats on the underside of the kegs. Unfortunately I've only been able to brew once after that so I'm not sure if my heating time was reduced or not...but I like to think that it was

 

[ScubaSteve]

Allright...I've got an update. I've gotten my 2 banjo burners (fricking humongous) and 20 PSI regulator. I am currently running my propane lines. What a PITA, I've made a lot of trips to home depot. I've stared at the plumbing fittings wall for probably 5 hours total trying to get my fittings right (Explosions are bad, mkay?). Each time I think I have it all together there's just one little part I need. Thank God for the returns policy! I've had to swap parts out at least 3 times! Pics to follow...SWMBO goes out of town next week which means I can work uninterrupted. I hope to sand and stain soon, then I'll test fire the banjos. I can't wait to hear them roar! :rockin:

 

[ScubaSteve]

AAAAH! Crap!!!! I got overzealous and tightened some fittings waaay too much when I was putting my propane manifold together. As a result, the threads were slightly stripped and when I did my soapy water test, there were mad bubbles coming out. Guess that means another trip to HD. That's okay.....I'll get my flame in the morning....and you, my friends will be the first to see it. SWMBO will be out of town. :rockin:

 

[MrFebtober]

Wow, you've been busy, ScubaSteve! Lookin' good. Not having any welding skills or means myself, it's great to see that a good rig can be made of wood and angle iron.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Hey there-

You have NO idea how busy I've been! I've been trouble shooting my propane lines...I was using teflon paste, and it really sucks! I had to start from scratch and tape everything with gas tape. Much better now, but there still some unions I had right next to the burner that are leaking slightly. I incorporated these because I wanted the ability to break the lines down if necessary...but it makes me nervous that there is a leak about 6" from the burner. I will have to probably replace with a solid coupler. At any rate....THOSE BURNERS ARE TERRIFYING! :rockin: I turned them up a bit, and you can just hear the propane blowing through them. I just sanded and stained the frame with 1-Step polyurethane stain; Antique Walnut. Looks good. I'll probably post some more pics tomorrow night.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Wow, you've been busy, ScubaSteve! Lookin' good. Not having any welding skills or means myself, it's great to see that a good rig can be made of wood and angle iron.

BTW, this thing is pretty stout. I turned the burners on, and didn't really notice any difficulty with the wood. Only time will tell.

 

[Bobby_M]

You'll only really know after a good long 60 minute boil. On my jury rigged stand, I had a piece of plywood about 6" UNDER my burner and after about 30 minutes, it started charring.

 

[ScubaSteve]

I figured as much...i'll do my first brew without flashing, then will likely install it.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Okay guys-

Makin' definite progress. I'm just glad I can park my car in the garage again!
So, I got 2 Banjo burners in the mail (just the burners, $25 ea at Amazon)

Those suckers are pretty big...my hat does it no justice! Then, I ran my propane lines with 1/2" black steel pipe, using gas tape to make a good seal. I originally used teflon paste, but it sucked. There are no leaks except for a small union right at the burner:

I will promptly replace this, but the leak was pretty insignificant; I test fired the burners and they ROAR! Here's a few shots:

 

[ScubaSteve]

Here's the other burner I used; it's in the center for a gentle direct fire on the MLT. It's only a 10psi burner, but it rips when hooked to my 20 psi. Gotta throttle it back!

Here's the semi finished product, still gotta plumb my water lines. I'm thinking I'll used QD's for ease of use/cleaning.

Here's the front center. I left a space for toggle switches on my pumps, and created a rail to protect the manifold/provide a work surface. I finished the wood with Antique Walnut One-Step polyurethane stain, to protect it from the occasional spill. :

 

[ScubaSteve]

Finally, here's the rig all nestled up to my kegerator:

So what do you think????

 

[AGBrewer]

That is a bad ass looking rig, the wood came out really nice looking

 

[Grimsawyer]

I love beer porn. This is one sexy rig!:rockin: :rockin: :rockin:

 

[Jester]

looking great... Seeing this makes me realize that I need to build something sometime soon...!!!!!

 

[Craig5_12]

Nice work Steve, your rig came out beautiful...when is the test run? I bet you're dying to get a batch done on her!

 

[wizardofza]

Man, that setup rocks.

What's the first recipe? I hope it turns out half as pretty as that thing!

 

[ScubaSteve]

Thanks, guys!
Since my kegs all have 3 couplings, I may just plug off the 2 small ones, and then use ball valves and QD's with silicone tubing. I'll probably just brew with the KISS method, and get used to my pumps in the process.

I've still gotta:
-Fix the small propane leak at the couplers! (Can't show off my burners until I fix that!)
-Mount the pumps on the bottom, creating a waterproof but breatheable housing
-Wire toggle switches/GCFI plugs to control the pumps
-Install a drip tray in front.
-Eventually run a herms coil in the HLT ( I have a 50' 1/2" IC ready to make the ultimate sacrifice )

I'll definitely be posting more pics when I do each of these things (especially when I get the burners up! :rockin: )

Any ideas you guys have are more than welcome...I couldn't have gotten this far without this awesome forum!

 

[ScubaSteve]

Man, that setup rocks.

What's the first recipe? I hope it turns out half as pretty as that thing!

Man, I haven't brewed in a while! I'll be glad when I can start going to the LHBS instead of HD for once! I think I'll do something simple to get a feel for this thing...maybe a Stone IPA Clone....?

 

[ScubaSteve]

I love beer porn. This is one sexy rig!:rockin: :rockin: :rockin:

BIG and sexy...this thing is SOLID....must weigh 150 lbs....

 

[ScubaSteve]

Okay...UPDATE!!! Finally felt safe enough after checking and rechecking my propane plumbing with soapy water that I could really test the "legs" on this thing. Before we start, here's the rig by day:

 

[ScubaSteve]

A short recipe:

2 Banjo burners
1 "Revolution" burner from Eastman Outdoors (My old turkey fryer I salvaged to provide low heat to the MT)
1 20 PSI Bayou Classic regulator
1 wood brewstand
2 Keystone lights
2 Gordon Biersch Marzens
2 Pints of Apfelwein

Combine these ingredients, and you get:

One Banjo full blast at 20 PSI:

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The Whole Shaboodle:

[YOUTUBE]kzzm2aJ-ehs[/YOUTUBE]

Just had to show someone! SWMBO was there, and she was like...I don't know how you do it! Little does she know about my secret life here on HBT! Thanks, guys!

More pics to come....next, I'm gonna start plumbing liquids and doing electrical stuff. I already got some frickin' hardcore switches for my pumps!:rockin:

 

[hmpitags2006]

looking good I hope to get to that point one day where I actually have room to make something like that.

 

[Grimsawyer]

Sniff.... sniff.... it's so purty.... sniff.... sniff.... :rockin: That is one sweet lookin setup for sure! Good luck on the rest of the stuff!!!

 

[Jester]

someday I'll be able to build something like this... looks great..!!!

 

[modobrew]

wow! impressive set-up. as others have stated, that is one sexy rig! I'd love to have the room to do something like that. can't wait to see it up and running completely! :rockin: