Weldless brew stand.

[BeerGuy1000]

How did you guys build the switch box for your pumps, did you just plug your pumps into the box so you can turn them off/on or did you wire them into the box, I would love to do that any info would help.

 

[Cosper123]

Yeah don't need the expensive heavy duty casters. As I understand it anyhow you divide up the weight. So if you have four of them you multiply their weight level by four. So 100 pound wheels on each corner will support a total of 400.

 

[npauley88]

I just picked up the steel from the Aurora, OH McMaster-Carr to start my build (hopefully done by the start of the school year).

I'll probably make all of the cuts this weekend, but for now I'm trying to gather a list of exactly what I need to order for the propane plumbing.

I only want 2 burners as I have an igloo MLT and don't really want to use a keg in the future. I am thinking that I will use 2 of these burners, 1 for the HLT and 1 for the BK. http://www.agrisupply.com/bg-high-pressure-cast-iron-burner-/p/64494/cn/5400001/

Other than that I'm not sure exactly what else must be ordered. I saw some people say they don't come with a jet, etc.

Also which regulator and hoses are required with those burners?

Obviously I am brand new to plumbing and the like and I apologize if this has been beaten to death.

Thanks for ANY help!

 

[NewBrewB]

Definitely strong... the most expensive part of my build were the casters because I got ones that were rated at 400lbs each. One keg filled to the top with water weighs in at about 150 or so lbs. I filled all 3 kegs to the top with cold water and stood on the frame while kind of bouncing up and down all while a friend rolled me around a little just to see if the casters seized under the weight. Casters worked fine and nothing budged, bent, or squeaked. I've been using mine for over 2 years (25 batches or so) and it seems as strong as ever.

I absolutely love the "Hold my beer, watch this" method of testing... Thats solid...and inspirational!

 

[rtp-brew]

I am thinking that I will use 2 of these burners, 1 for the HLT and 1 for the BK. http://www.agrisupply.com/bg-high-pressure-cast-iron-burner-/p/64494/cn/5400001/

Other than that I'm not sure exactly what else must be ordered. I saw some people say they don't come with a jet, etc.

I just started the same build. Those burners arrived yesterday with jets, which I too was not expecting.

The jet isn't stamped anywhere. No idea of the orifice size. I'm converting to low pressure propane, so I figure I'm going to have to drill them out anyway. Waiting on my regulator to arrive, so not that far in the plan yet.

 

[npauley88]

I just started the same build. Those burners arrived yesterday with jets, which I too was not expecting.

The jet isn't stamped anywhere. No idea of the orifice size. I'm converting to low pressure propane, so I figure I'm going to have to drill them out anyway. Waiting on my regulator to arrive, so not that far in the plan yet.

Why did you decide to convert them to low pressure, what's the benefit?

Thanks and good luck on your build

 

[BrewerRick]

How did you guys build the switch box for your pumps, did you just plug your pumps into the box so you can turn them off/on or did you wire them into the box, I would love to do that any info would help.

I wired mine into a box with two separate switches (one for each pump) in them, then I also wired in a cord that I cut on one end and left the plug on the other end so I could power both switches with one power feed. Just make sure your cord is correctly sized to handle the current that your total load will draw.

 

[rtp-brew]

Why did you decide to convert them to low pressure, what's the benefit?

Thanks and good luck on your build

I was planning on direct firing the MT, so some finer control there. Supposedly adding automation is a little easier/cheaper down the road. We'll see about that I guess.

Also having stood next to a KAB6 while it was heating 26 gallons, it's kind of overkill. There is a ton of wasted heat; burning leg hairs, melting nearby plastic buckets, generally not helping to heat the stuff in the pot.

 

[dannedry]

Taking my weldless brew rig on her MAIDEN VOYAGE as we speak... brewing Ed Worts pale ale... already half way through my boil, and she is performing EXCELLENT!!!! Couldn't be happier with this design! Been working on this on and off since Xmas. FINALLY brewing on it. First All Grain batch too!

 

[dannedry]

Taking my weldless brew rig on her MAIDEN VOYAGE as we speak... brewing Ed Worts pale ale... already half way through my boil, and she is performing EXCELLENT!!!! Couldn't be happier with this design! Been working on this on and off since Xmas. FINALLY brewing on it. First All Grain batch too!

SUCCESS! I hit and maintained all of my temps, fly sparged successfully, and hit 1.052 OG when Beersmith expected... 1.052 OG! Crazy. Also, with my IC and a whirlpool return, I cooled from boiling to 75F in 10 minutes...

Love this rig.

 

[BrewerRick]

npauley88,

Here is how I attached my burners...

 

[johnodon]

For reference, I used a ton of bolts, nuts, washers and lock washers since I noticed the bolt heads are barely wider than the holes/slots on the steel.

I was actually going to ask this question and then saw Mike's comment above. Has anyone had any issue with NOT using lock washers (sincethey are not provided in the bag of hardware)?

Regardless, I think I am still going to add them to the build. My next question would be if the bolts are long enough to accommodate the lock washers. Since Mike used them I assume there is plenty of length but just wanted to ask.

TIA,

John

 

[npauley88]

Thanks for everyone I PM'd with questions, you all have been very helpful!

just wanted to post a picture of my build so far:

I haven't decided yet if I want to drop the $40 on the corner pieces yet, I am a poor college student after all and if I change my mind, McMaster Carr is about 30 min away.

I just mounted the casters that I got on the cheap from Surplus Center. Had to drill a couple extra holes but no biggy. Only problem with them is that they don't lock very well.

The 3' lengths of propane hoses just came in today and I attached them to the 1/2" black iron pipe that I have yet to secure to the stand.

Still waiting on some needle valves, a regulator, a pair of chugger pumps and a plate chiller and I'll be all set!

 

[Cosper123]

I was actually going to ask this question and then saw Mike's comment above. Has anyone had any issue with NOT using lock washers (sincethey are not provided in the bag of hardware)?

Regardless, I think I am still going to add them to the build. My next question would be if the bolts are long enough to accommodate the lock washers. Since Mike used them I assume there is plenty of length but just wanted to ask.

TIA,

John

No I have not had any issues in the areas where I did not use lock washers. In the areas where I did use them (when I attached the casters and on corners to maintain 90 degree angle over time) they fit on the bolts fine even with a fender washer on the other side.

Get your casters from Harbour Freight (sp?) or other such discount store. All you need is a hundred pound casters (the math on that is divide total weight by four and that is the caster you need per corner)...so simply put hundred pound caster on each corner can support four hundred pounds, two hundred pound caster on each corner can support total of eight hundred pounds. I got the hundred pound four inch casters with locks for five bucks each. Like the previous poster I also had to drill extra holes but big deal.

In any case I highly recommend the lock washers.

 

[jmp781]

Thanks for everyone I PM'd with questions, you all have been very helpful!

just wanted to post a picture of my build so far:

I haven't decided yet if I want to drop the $40 on the corner pieces yet, I am a poor college student after all and if I change my mind, McMaster Carr is about 30 min away.

I just mounted the casters that I got on the cheap from Surplus Center. Had to drill a couple extra holes but no biggy. Only problem with them is that they don't lock very well.

The 3' lengths of propane hoses just came in today and I attached them to the 1/2" black iron pipe that I have yet to secure to the stand.

Still waiting on some needle valves, a regulator, a pair of chugger pumps and a plate chiller and I'll be all set!

Stand is looking good, I'm to the same stage in my build as you. Where did you order the 3' propane hoses from?

 

[npauley88]

Stand is looking good, I'm to the same stage in my build as you. Where did you order the 3' propane hoses from?

sorry for the delayed response.

i got mine from eBay

http://cgi.ebay.com/RV-LP-Propane-Hose-3-8-X-36-/150555454938?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230dcdedda#ht_500wt_1156

 

[QM3K]

Hi all,

I am planning to start my own build this week, but I am nervous about the use of galvanized steel and the potential for toxic fumes from the zinc plating. I have read fleeting references to "burning the finish off" and I just want to make sure of how to do that. I was assuming that I just set the burner(s) going for a while in a ventilated area, but how long should I let them go before I don't have to worry about it anymore?

Thanks.

 

[Strongbad52]

I just filled the kegs with about 10 gallons of water and kept the burners going till i got a good boil going. about half way through you can smell the zinc burning off, which was when i vacated the garage. I spent the rest of the time watching from the driveway. You can tell when the zinc is burned off because the steel gets a chalky, oxidized look where it has burned off.

That was my process for the zinc burn off. I did that and then the next day i did a back to back brewday to break in the stand and i didn't have any issues with fumes.

 

[ciphersoft]

Hey all I really enjoyed reading this thread. My buddy and I are ready to make the jump to all grain and this seems the way to go for those on a tight budget. For those of you that have a fully built system what was your total expense? Thanks in advance.

Jbell

 

[npauley88]

I'm having problems getting enough power to my burners.

I'm using a 15 psi regulator (non adjustable) to power 2 - low pressure 6" banjo burners from agri supply.

the regulator is 3/8" that connects to a 1/2" black iron pipe. the pipe has 2 needle valves that have 3/8" propane hoses connected.

has anyone run into a similar problem? My flame is pathetic when i have both running.

please and thanks!

 

[Biscostew]

i went a slightly different route with my stand, same setup except i didnt use black iron pipe as I wasn't comftorable with my minimal skills and propane, seemed like a potentially dangerous combo. What I did was go to http://www.tejassmokers.com/ and baught a 2 to 1 propane connector and a 1 to 1 propane connector, I have two tanks and plenty of power to run my 180k btu burners.

Pauly I suggest checking out http://www.tejassmokers.com/, you probably need the green regulator fitting.

 

[blacks4]

Hi guys, I'm planning building a weldless stand but space is an issue so I wondered if there would be anything wrong with putting 2 sets of casters on it and designing it so that 2 keggles would fit upright inside when it's standing on it's end as shown in the picture?

Also, if I want to paint the frame, do I burn off the zinc coating FIRST and then paint? Or paint before ever using it? Do I need to prime it or just the high temp paint? 2 coats?

Thanks a lot.

Steve

 

[Mike_A]

I don't know about the paint, but as far as the casters on the side so you can tip it upright, I would be concerned about the heat. I use banjos, and I know that on my weldless stand, the area you have the casters drawn get extremely warm. You would need some sort of heat shielding for that to potentially work, my 2c.

 

[BrewerRick]

I painted mine with a couple coats of the high temp prior to using it. The paint held up well.

BrewerRick

 

[mtlmeister]

I flipped through most of the thread and I don't think I saw any, but has anyone made a three tiered system with the slotted steel? I'd prefer to avoid pumps but I want to make sure ahead of time that it's even possible and the stand will be stable enough. Thanks ahead of time for anynreplies

 

[Cosper123]

I flipped through most of the thread and I don't think I saw any, but has anyone made a three tiered system with the slotted steel? I'd prefer to avoid pumps but I want to make sure ahead of time that it's even possible and the stand will be stable enough. Thanks ahead of time for anynreplies

Yeah mine is. It's two teir atm I just pour back into the burner enabled top section but eventually when my budget allows (read as: when SWMBO says ok) I am going to mount another burner on the bottom teir for complete gravity system. Now I just store the gas tank down there. It's stable and if I can find my measurements I'll be sure and send them to you. I like that it doesn't take up as much room and that I don't have to rely on pumps.

 

[Cosper123]

Ok can't find my measurements but it's very similar to this one :
http://www.lancedrolet.com/?p=7

I made it wider for more stability and not as long. So my MLT sits sideways instead of longways like this guy did.

My big concern when I mount the bottom burner is that the steam will collect on the top burner and drip down into my HLT. That would suck. So my idea at this point is to make a diverter panel to sit above HLT at an angle to collect/divert the steam and cause the water to drip harmlessly off to the side.

Also I put locking casters on all four corners. And I got a steel plate and painted the Erector logo on it to amuse myself.

 

[Cosper123]

I'm having problems getting enough power to my burners.

I'm using a 15 psi regulator (non adjustable) to power 2 - low pressure 6" banjo burners from agri supply.

the regulator is 3/8" that connects to a 1/2" black iron pipe. the pipe has 2 needle valves that have 3/8" propane hoses connected.

has anyone run into a similar problem? My flame is pathetic when i have both running.

please and thanks!

PM Catt22 he seems to know a lot about burners and can help you sort it out.

 

[npauley88]

PM Catt22 he seems to know a lot about burners and can help you sort it out.

Solved the situation today.

Thanks!

 

[Mpavlik22]

Solved the situation today.

Thanks!

What was your solution?