Time to take the plunge... Single Tier Plans

[Anthony_Lopez]

Well, I've been doing some serious thinking about space, repeatability, and the overall process of my brew day. A friend of mine has the ability to get me some steel tubing at or below cost. Since I already have a March Pump and I'm having good luck with batch sparging (80% efficiency on average) I'm going to start a single tier build. I will outline absolutely everything for this build including the wiring of EACH component, installation, cut sheet for the steel, and I will make a running count on cost. FYI- I do get a lot of fittings for almost free (work salvage) so some of my costs will be referenced off Ebay or other vendors.

I spent the day figuring out google sketch up to draw out my plans. This will most likely be built from 2"x2" steel tubing. If things change I will alter the design for anyone that may want to follow. I'll keep posting as I get things together.

 

[Dude]

I'd keep the legs shorter...you'll want to be able to reach and/or see into the kettles on top of the stand. Even if you are 6 feet tall, stirring the mash or looking into a mashtun or kettle would be hard to do. Keep in mind you'll more than likely be adding casters to that as well, which means even more height.

 

[Beerwolf]

IMHO for this design 2x2" is overkill. I've just built a larger 2-tier design out of 1.5"x1.5" 1/8" wall stainless (more along the lines of a Brew-magic) and the proportions are perfect, the structure ultra-rigid. You really don't need 2x2.

 

[Bobby_M]

I completely agree that 2" is overkill.

 

[nicksteck]

Well, I've been doing some serious thinking about space, repeatability, and the overall process of my brew day. A friend of mine has the ability to get me some steel tubing at or below cost. Since I already have a March Pump and I'm having good luck with batch sparging (80% efficiency on average) I'm going to start a single tier build. I will outline absolutely everything for this build including the wiring of EACH component, installation, cut sheet for the steel, and I will make a running count on cost. FYI- I do get a lot of fittings for almost free (work salvage) so some of my costs will be referenced off Ebay or other vendors.

I spent the day figuring out google sketch up to draw out my plans. This will most likely be built from 2"x2" steel tubing. If things change I will alter the design for anyone that may want to follow. I'll keep posting as I get things together.

i like the drawing, i wish i had a 3D image to look at, i went with a 25'' tall frame and ended up with the casters 30.5''

i know i don't have a lot of posts but if you need any numbers from me i just went through the process in 1 month start to finish

Nick

 

[nicksteck]

IMHO for this design 2x2" is overkill. I've just built a larger 2-tier design out of 1.5"x1.5" 1/8" wall stainless (more along the lines of a Brew-magic) and the proportions are perfect, the structure ultra-rigid. You really don't need 2x2.

so how is 1.5 x 1.5 1/8'' less than 2 x 2 1/16''

you have 25% more area and half the thickness and more surface area for strength

Nick

 

[Anthony_Lopez]

This is just a rough drawing ATM... As far as 2x2 goes, I'll take whatever is FREE. If I were paying for steel, I'd probably choose 1x1 @ .12" thickness, however I can't complain when it comes to FREE.

 

[The Pol]

I think that it looks tight, regardless of what anyone sayes... I love it. Build on.

 

[Anthony_Lopez]

I probably will shorten it, however I'm still not really sure why anyone would have issues with 2x2 steel...

 

[RonRock]

2X2 may be overkill but WTF it looks better. And it sounds like the price is right.

Good point on the height though.

 

[The Pol]

Anthony... many people just have issues... period

 

[Anthony_Lopez]

Anthony... many people just have issues... period

Hehe...

 

[IrregularPulse]

I understand there comments about 2x2 being overkill, But it's free! I'd use I-Beams if they were free! okay a bit of an exaggeration ...

 

[Dude]

however I'm still not really sure why anyone would have issues with 2x2 steel...

Well, free is always good. However, I think the concern isn't so much stability it would be the overall weight. My stand (check my gallery) is 1 inch tubing and it is a royal PITA to move. It is HEAVY.

 

[The Pol]

Put a motor on it, and drive it... problem solved.

 

[IrregularPulse]

Then you can drive down to the store during the mash to pick up a bag of chips without having to leave it!

 

[The Pol]

Yeah, or drive the kids to daycare while you are brewing... (if you have that sort of problem)... think of the freedom!

 

[HomerJ]

Working with the materials you can find or "scrounge" is have the fun of the journey....
Besides if you have wheels on it (or a motor for that fact) you will not have to lift it at all.... haha

Build away

 

[Anthony_Lopez]

I COULD put a motor on it... but I'd be scared as hell to hit the brakes during the boil... As for weight, this will be put on casters, and its not like I'm bringing it backpacking...

 

[polecreek]

I have been thinking of putting a car stereo on my brew rig,like the snap-on tool boxes. Maybe this is putting the cart before the horse and I need the engine first.

 

[The Pol]

Yeah, you need an engine on your rig first...

 

[IrregularPulse]

I have two scooters I parted out from my younger sisters. Ha, If I ever get a rig I could totally put them on there, I could just imagine it.. Aww man, I was gonna brew today, but the battery on my rig is dead and now it won't start!

 

[Bobby_M]

Ok, skipping the overkill factor, you should look at the two top short kettle supports. If you only use two, the pots have to share like armrests at a movie theater. You probably want to double them up so you can have a little space between vessels.

 

[Dude]

As for weight, this will be put on casters, and its not like I'm bringing it backpacking...

Okay man, just trying to help. I know you'll never come back here to this thread after it is built and tell us you wish you would have kept the weight down, but to each his own....

If suggestions were taboo you should have said so, I wouldn't have wasted my time helping.

 

[The Pol]

I kinda liked the backpacking analogy...

My rig is HEAVY too... especially with the vessels full of fluid and grain. But it still rolls easy.

 

[Anthony_Lopez]

Okay man, just trying to help. I know you'll never come back here to this thread after it is built and tell us you wish you would have kept the weight down, but to each his own....

If suggestions were taboo you should have said so, I wouldn't have wasted my time helping.

I'm always open for suggestions. If I can get 1x1 or 1.5x1.5, I'll definitely go for it. I was just trying to explain my mentality as far as the weight goes. I'm also building this for the possibility of going to larger batch sizes at some point.

Also, as for the center supports, I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to use for kettle supports. I like what nicksteck did with his supports, but I'm not sure I want to lay out cash to get something like that made...

 

[sdsurf]

IMHO for this design 2x2" is overkill. I've just built a larger 2-tier design out of 1.5"x1.5" 1/8" wall stainless (more along the lines of a Brew-magic) and the proportions are perfect, the structure ultra-rigid. You really don't need 2x2.

I'll second that on the 2x2. I'm building a nearly identical stand right now out of 1.5x1.5x.120 and it is really, really heavy. If weight isn't a consideration and the stock is cheap though... hell... why not?!

 

[sdsurf]

I'm always open for suggestions. If I can get 1x1 or 1.5x1.5, I'll definitely go for it. I was just trying to explain my mentality as far as the weight goes. I'm also building this for the possibility of going to larger batch sizes at some point.

Also, as for the center supports, I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to use for kettle supports. I like what nicksteck did with his supports, but I'm not sure I want to lay out cash to get something like that made...

For the kettle supports on mine, I am just cutting some 3" long pieces of the same stock and having them protrude perpendicularly from each of the inner sides of the hole that is below each keg - a total of 12 in all. It leaves a hole in the center to allow flame, etc. to get up there, but keeps the kettle from falling through. At least that's the plan.

 

[Anthony_Lopez]

For the kettle supports on mine, I am just cutting some 3" long pieces of the same stock and having them protrude perpendicularly from each of the inner sides of the hole that is below each keg - a total of 12 in all. It leaves a hole in the center to allow flame, etc. to get up there, but keeps the kettle from falling through. At least that's the plan.

Do you think that will support them efficiently? Don't forget how much liquid will be in those pots during a 10 gallon batch!

 

[nicksteck]

Well, I've been doing some serious thinking about space, repeatability, and the overall process of my brew day. A friend of mine has the ability to get me some steel tubing at or below cost. Since I already have a March Pump and I'm having good luck with batch sparging (80% efficiency on average) I'm going to start a single tier build. I will outline absolutely everything for this build including the wiring of EACH component, installation, cut sheet for the steel, and I will make a running count on cost. FYI- I do get a lot of fittings for almost free (work salvage) so some of my costs will be referenced off Ebay or other vendors.

I spent the day figuring out google sketch up to draw out my plans. This will most likely be built from 2"x2" steel tubing. If things change I will alter the design for anyone that may want to follow. I'll keep posting as I get things together.

the size of the top of your rig is the same as mine right down to the inch, geat minds must think alike,

i did discover the other day when i was heating water in a mega pot that the way i built my kettle supports work good with kegs but with a flat bottom pot you end up with cold spots in 4 corners because the bracket keeps the flames away. not a problem for me and my kegs but most flat bottom pots would have cold spots.