Show us your sculpture or brew rig

[Joe17]

This is my electric brew rig , it's been serving me well for about two years now and I am always looking for ways to optimize it. I brewed in the garage or outside for about 7 years wile using propane before I got tired of fighting the cold. I would have problems with low mash temps and propane tanks that would freeze up from time to time. Also I was freezing cold .so I came up with this!

 

[gnor]

There is no PID?? Do you control the mash temp manually?

 

[Joe17]

There is no PID?? Do you control the mash temp manually?

Yup , I have gotten good at hitting my mash temp . The mash tun keeps the temp within 4 degrees and if I need the temp to come up I just add more hot water.

 

[Jonesbrew]

Modified King Cooker on a wood base.

 

[Jonesbrew]

Modified King Cooker on a wood base.
View attachment 551242

 

[brewery_fixer]

New Belgium, AVL. This is a 1/2 Bbl setup we designed and built in house for playing around with and experimenting. We utilized a Sabco frame, but everything else was fabbed on-site. It is propane, auto fired, with Honeywell combination gas valves on the HLT and WK. It is a HERMS setup so we don’t really utilize the burner on the MLT. This setup has far exceeded expectations and works like a dream.

 

[brewery_fixer]

 

[day_trippr]

Gorgeous work
What are you using for the control program?

 

[brewery_fixer]

Gorgeous work
What are you using for the control program?

Thank you very much. We are using a BCS setup, it’s a DIY setup with parts that we got from E-Brew Supply.

 

[brewery_fixer]

Here are a few more pics of our setup

 

[shelbymedic]

 

[Dcpcooks]

New brew space I built over the summer. So nice to brew inside in Chicago winters!

 

[Woodbrews]

New brew space, plus some refinements to my system. Major changes include utility sink, brew table, permanently-mounted pump, and a condenser to capture steam during the boil (hopefully eliminating the need for a hood, although I do intend to install a ceiling fan above the kettle).

 

[6Tap]

I finished building my brew room in my garage and putting together my 1/2bbl electric system last July.
I am so glad I got back into homebrewing.
Cheers!

 

[day_trippr]

Can you talk about that plate chiller in the last pic?

Cheers!

 

[6Tap]

The plate chiller is a Model T-4 made by Thermaline.
I use a 1/8hpChugger pump which has just enough pressure to push the wort 8’, then through the plate chiller and 4.5’ high to the top of the fermentor.
It cools the wort down to around 70 degrees in about 20 min if the valve at the pump is wide open. I have done 13 batches with it so far and it works great.
Cheers

 

[Joe17]

I am looking at conical fermenters and it looks like you have One I have not seen before 6tap, could I trouble you for some info on it?

 

[6Tap]

Hi Joe17,

My fermentor is sold by Stout Tanks. It is a 20 gallon jacked conical fermentor. 15psi max. Does not have a carbonation stone/ setup so I carbonate in kegs right now. I control the temp with a SS Brewtech glycol chilller which can get it down to 34 degrees for cold crashing in about 24 hours as long as my brew room is not above 70 degrees ambient temp. It’s been a great fermentor just on the pricy side. Stout Tanks website says they are currently out of stock until April 2018. Hope this info helps with your search.
Cheers!

 

[BrunDog]

Holy mother of magical Stainless @6Tap!!

 

[TANSTAAFB]

Yeah, this is my jealous face! [emoji482]

 

[jbraaten]

Got a question for everyone watching this thread. I built a single tier wooden Brew rig, for those of you who have done that, how do you fireproof the Interiors of your burn area?

 

[day_trippr]

Jeeze, that's an issue that probably should have been addressed in the design phase
Anyway, do you have the room to line them with cement board worst case?
Even better, install comprehensive heat shields with plenty of air space to the wood?

Maybe post some pics so we can see what you're working with...

Cheers!

 

[jbraaten]

Jeeze, that's an issue that probably should have been addressed in the design phase
Anyway, do you have the room to line them with cement board worst case?
Even better, install comprehensive heat shields with plenty of air space to the wood?

Maybe post some pics so we can see what you're working with...

Cheers!

Well, my initial plan was to use fireproof paint. Around the burner will be an aluminum shield. Between burner and wood there is about 12" of space on each side.

I am looking basically at a preventative measure that might cost slightly less than the 35 for fireproof paint.

 

[calgary222]

Agree with day tripper - cement board, look on your local classified for bits left over from someone's bathroom project. Ideally put some washers behind that to create 1/4" of space as well.
I haven't worked with fireproof paint, but I can't imagine that 1/32 of paint will prevent the wood behind it from combusting, maybe the paint wont burn, but you hit a high enough temp, the wood will... good luck!

 

[bovine_OB]

this thing will forever be a work in progress.

 

[MistaCitra]

This is something I have been working on

 

[day_trippr]

Weight tested that rig yet?

Cheers!

 

[MistaCitra]

I have weight tested the stand. I may have to put two more casters in the middle for support. I weigh 240 and was jumping on it. 30 Gallons of wort weighs approximately 300lbs.

 

[jbraaten]

Agree with day tripper - cement board, look on your local classified for bits left over from someone's bathroom project. Ideally put some washers behind that to create 1/4" of space as well.
I haven't worked with fireproof paint, but I can't imagine that 1/32 of paint will prevent the wood behind it from combusting, maybe the paint wont burn, but you hit a high enough temp, the wood will... good luck!

Thanks so much for the great idea. Seems like the best route to go to really satisfy my needs.

 

[calgary222]

I have weight tested the stand. I may have to put two more casters in the middle for support. I weigh 240 and was jumping on it. 30 Gallons of wort weighs approximately 300lbs.

A bit of cross bracing would allow you to keep the design 'light' and dramatically increase strength - alternatively, putting in two panels similar to the one you already have but perpendicular on the back would also help...

As I type this it reminds me of the Lotus 7 project I wanted to do years ago.. a sports car that relies on a 1" mild steel space frame design...

Cheers!