Upside Down Keggles?

[jcc4507fly]

Here's a little progress on my build! First Keggle getting trimmed up!

 

[jcc4507fly]

Tops cut!! Still need to dull the edges. My old Boil Kettle lid fits perfect!!
Still hunting for a third keg.

 

[carpenike]

Thanks. I'll get a bigger one.

Will post up my BOM later today... Trying to piece together the kettle parts first and then will go back to the control panel... A ton of pieces.

Came across this today for a locking 50A receptacle; the price seems right and it looks like i can take off the black housing at the end, would this work to install into the control panel?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-amp-125v...Parts_Accessories&hash=item5b0074363e&vxp=mtr

 

[carpenike]

Nice! Congrats!

Tops cut!! Still need to dull the edges. My old Boil Kettle lid fits perfect!!
Still hunting for a third keg.

 

[carpenike]

Also, it looks like this receptacle would be better... it says 3 wire, but I imagine it's ignoring the ground but still has a pin for it, right?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Hubbell...244?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43cf70682c

 

[carpenike]

Here's my build list for the kettles and misc. Anything I'm missing? I'm thinking I'll do a sight glass on the BK and HLT, but with the bottom drain / pipes and ball valve where would I mount it?

Also, based this primarily on Kal's part list but made modifications based on some of the parts BrewHardware has -- bulkheads, etc.

HLT:

BK:

MLT:

Hoses:

Wort Chiller:

Pumps:

 

[Wacki]

I'm sure others will disagree with me, but I don't like my sight glass, it's a pain to clean, not all that accurate (my fault admittedly), and in my opinion not much better than eye balling things...(half of the 15.5 gal keg is marked, as is thirds with the rings)

I'm in the process of plugging my sight glass and I'll put etchings on the inside of my keggles, not sure how much better that is, but I'm close enough to hitting figures for what I want.

 

[BrokenHorn]

I'm in the process of plugging my sight glass and I'll put etchings on the inside of my keggles, not sure how much better that is, but I'm close enough to hitting figures for what I want.

Brew Your Own magazine had an article a couple months back that showed how to do your own etching at home with household ingredients. I haven't tried it yet but it appeared to be pretty effective.

 

[carpenike]

http://byo.com/stories/issue/item/3113-etch-your-kettle-projects

 

[ryane]

Also, it looks like this receptacle would be better... it says 3 wire, but I imagine it's ignoring the ground but still has a pin for it, right?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Hubbell...244?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43cf70682c

go with this its quite a bit cheaper
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Marinco-CS6...497?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3ce0bc39

 

[carpenike]

go with this its quite a bit cheaper
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Marinco-CS6...497?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3ce0bc39

Thanks! Doesn't look like that one is locking. If I put this on the bottom of my control panel what's the likelihood that it falls out?

 

[Wacki]

http://byo.com/stories/issue/item/3113-etch-your-kettle-projects

Thanks BrokenHorn and carpenike!! I'm going to have to do that!!

 

[BrokenHorn]

Thanks BrokenHorn and carpenike!! I'm going to have to do that!!

No problem. If you try it, let us know if it's as easy and effective as they make it out to be.

 

[KSBlizzard]

I believe the article in BYO was written by someone on here. They mention it in one of the posts on the pages from this thread:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f257/how-add-permanent-volume-markings-kettle-illustrated-463099/

 

[carpenike]

Alright I'm $1,200 poorer. I'm all in now. Keg parts on the way, will order pieces for the control panel this week.

Guess this will become my build thread as well.

 

[NewBrewB]

Alright I'm $1,200 poorer. I'm all in now. Keg parts on the way, will order pieces for the control panel this week.

Guess this will become my build thread as well.

Congrats!!! I'm sure it will be a blast!

 

[SHvanBommel]

Cool, thanks!

Did you guys build some type of jig to cut out the bottom or did you more freestyle it?

Also, what did you build your frame out of?

I used a sharp, a ruler, and a dremel with the cutting wheels. unless you get the separate pack of cutting wheels it will take a while, make sure to score your lines by going over it a few times to get a groove and don't try to cut right into the keg, that will run down your wheels really fast... i learned that the hard way. all told it took about 45 minutes and i got really nice cuts.

 

[carpenike]

Alright so I'm cleaning out what will be my brewery today. This room is currently a "potting shed" that is directly attached to the house. Plumbing / electric are on the other side of the wall on the right and in the basement. On the left are some old windows. Room is roughly 10' wide so I should have enough space.

I'll be cleaning this all out today and may start running electric / plumbing through the wall if time permits.

I'm considering building two fermenters right underneath of the bench -- an ale fermenter and a lager fermenter, similar to this build:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f258/my-mini-fridge-fermentation-chamber-build-256068/

Basically two fridges opposite each other and my pumps in the middle.

 

[mamies]

Subbed. Love the idea of the etching. I was just looking to buy sight glasses but I think I will go with etching instead.

 

[carpenike]

Got everything cleaned out yesterday. Ran a new 20 amp circuit for outlets in the room. Will run another for ceiling lights and a vent fan.

At this point I'm planning on using track lighting, anyone have any other suggestions?

Also, any recommendations for a ceiling? Will likely use plywood at this point.

Looking at using some bathroom faux tile sheets for the backslash. Comes in 4x8 sheets and it's cheap.

 

[ryane]

Thanks! Doesn't look like that one is locking. If I put this on the bottom of my control panel what's the likelihood that it falls out?

It is locking, I used one on my panel!

Marinco tends to be much cheaper than hubbell

 

[jcc4507fly]

Any progress? I've been traveling a lot and busy when home. Have not had a chance to plan the build and order parts. I'd rather be at home working on this, but someone has to make some money to support this habit!!


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

 

[carpenike]

Any progress? I've been traveling a lot and busy when home. Have not had a chance to plan the build and order parts. I'd rather be at home working on this, but someone has to make some money to support this habit!!


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

Hi there. Still working on stuff. Cleaned out the room last week and pulled off the walls. Today I reran electric to ceiling lights and put 8 outlets on the far wall. Put the ceilings and walls back up.

Also wired the GFCI spa panel and put a dryer outlet below.

Waiting on parts to arrive from BrewHardware, should have everything but the control panel in it.

Also found a welder nearby and he may end up building a cart for me, piecing together plans now.

 

[jcc4507fly]

Awesome! I found my 3rd keg. Ordered a good portion of my hardware. Some from Still Dragon, Brewers hardware, a local fitting shop that sells stainless fittings, false bottom and stand from Nor Cal brewing.

 

[NewBrewB]

Did you get one of their inner supports for the false bottom or do you think it will work without it (since the keg is inverted and the bottom drain makes a smooth angled funnel below)

I was thinking of having them weld the handle and hinge on opposite sides...then the hinge would help support grain weight.

 

[jcc4507fly]

If you order with the reverse hinge the hinge is on top so it is out of the way of the center support. All they do is flip the normal false bottom over. So it is required to be used with a center support. It would be nice if they actually flipped the hinge over, then welded it to the top side.

I opted for the reverse hinged, no hole. I also added the handle. I was unsure which support I wanted so I gave them a call. I spoke with Jay, very helpful. I ultimately decided to go with the Level 3 filter/support. That way after mashing I can use it in the BK. Jay's recommendation was just prior to completing the boil, recirculate from bottom drain back to the boil kettle. This will remove most hop particle from below the the false bottom. Then the false bottom and center support will filter out about 95% of what ever is remaining and leave it in the kettle as you drain into your fermenter. That way I don't need to whirlpool.

 

[carpenike]

Christmas came a bit early this year. Lots of heavy stainless.

 

[carpenike]

Wouldn't have thought it would have been so hard to find pot lids. Picked up three of these:

http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/supera/ap-20c/p1515596.aspx

 

[sandyeggoxj]

Wouldn't have thought it would have been so hard to find pot lids. Picked up three of these:

http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/supera/ap-20c/p1515596.aspx

Why use aluminum when you could use stainless?
http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/vollrath/3912c/p361418.aspx

 

[carpenike]

3x the price.