Somehow my Blichmann TopTier walked off

[Southern_Junior]

So i graduated from College and moved all of my brewing equipment into storage.

Now its two years later and I finally have a back yard to start brewing again. Well in moving everything it seems I have all the parts of my setup except the center mast for my TopTier stand. Feet are still here, legs, all my burners with hardware. CRAZY.

I know there are some other extruded aluminum companies out there. Can anyone give me the dimensions of the post so I can get back to making beer?

 

[TBC]

I don't have a top tier but I've seen them up close. The stem looks exactly like a 4"x4" piece of Bosch aluminum. I worked for an aluminum extruder when I graduated from college. They were extruded in 10 & 20' lengths and also anodized. Look up Sapa Aluminum in Mt. Top, PA.

If they still extrude it and I bet they do because that was a large customer ask them if you can buy a piece. They can also cut the length to your specifications. They are about 2 hours north of you right up the turnpike.

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[Southern_Junior]

Thanks! im no longer in PA, but i will look them up.

Question: You know that blichmann was a customer?

 

[TBC]

They weren't the main account because there was no way they were buying the volume that went through.

 

[IslandLizard]

Have you looked around a bit more closely in your storage unit? Maybe it got shoved on the side under something else. If you shared the unit with someone or someone else had access they may have scrapped it for a few bucks.

Otherwise, I hope you can score one. The legs and mast together sell for $500 retail. Spare parts are even more ridiculously priced, if you can get them at all.

I think the town/industrial park @TBC referred to is called Mountain Top, PA. A few miles south of Wilkes-Barre.

I have a Top Tier, but rarely use it since moving brewing operations indoors, using induction. I found it a bit cumbersome to use, standing on step ladders and stepping around the legs all the time. But it's all gravity fed, so a pump is not absolutely needed. I much prefer a single tier system.

 

[Southern_Junior]

Have you looked around a bit more closely in your storage unit? Maybe it got shoved on the side under something else. If you shared the unit with someone or someone else had access they may have scrapped it for a few bucks.

I have a Top Tier, but rarely use it since moving brewing operations indoors, using induction. I found it a bit cumbersome to use, standing on step ladders and stepping around the legs all the time. But it's all gravity fed, so a pump is not absolutely needed. I much prefer a single tier system.

Thats what I'm thinking... i can't imagine aluminum could be scrapped for any sizable amount though. Tore that unit apart looking for it. Chalking it up as a loss.

I have been contemplating a single tier, but haven't seen any options other than personal fabrication. I really don't have the time, skills, or patience for that!

FWIW, i actually really enjoyed using the top tier. i found it was a super easy system to use, but don't have anything to compare it to. might look into a ruby system or something.

 

[IslandLizard]

Thats what I'm thinking... i can't imagine aluminum could be scrapped for any sizable amount though. Tore that unit apart looking for it. Chalking it up as a loss.

I have been contemplating a single tier, but haven't seen any options other than personal fabrication. I really don't have the time, skills, or patience for that!

FWIW, i actually really enjoyed using the top tier. i found it was a super easy system to use, but don't have anything to compare it to. might look into a ruby system or something.

Damn, that's a shame!

I got most good use from the Top Tier by mounting the 2 burners lowish and the (cooler) mash tun about a foot of the ground on a little bench. That way it was easy to get to everything, stir and operate. I drained the mash into buckets and dumped into the BK. Used a pump and plate chiller to fill the fermentors. Now we have a mosquito problem here, so after May brewing outdoors became impossible. Glad to have moved indoors.

One of my friends invited me for a collaboration brew on his 20 gallon electric 3 vessel single tier system still being designed and built. Kettles were placed on a long sheet of plywood supported by saw horses and 2x12s. We used 1 pump mostly, but cut down on lots of hose swapping by using a 2nd one running other tasks. It was a pretty smooth brewday all together.

Keep an eye on Craigslist or the classifieds here, rigs and stands do come up from time to time.

You should be able to source a new mast. Maybe that company, or another, can ship you one.

 

[MaryB]

8020 3"x3" T slotted https://8020.net/shop/3030.html They may have a 4" profile but I didn't dig that deep

 

[Southern_Junior]

8020 3"x3" T slotted https://8020.net/shop/3030.html They may have a 4" profile but I didn't dig that deep

Thanks for the help, but i really need the exact dimensions. I'm worried about not being correct with gallons of boiling water on the line.

 

[EDF713]

If you're in Houston, Defalco's sells those, at one point I think they even had a used one. They may be able to help, they've been super helpful to me when I have random questions, especially if you go on a weekday when they aren't as busy.

 

[Southern_Junior]

If you're in Houston, Defalco's sells those, at one point I think they even had a used one. They may be able to help, they've been super helpful to me when I have random questions, especially if you go on a weekday when they aren't as busy.

Defalco's has been great to me this week. these guys are top notch.