Weldless brew stand.

[mxstar21]

Reaver, thanks for the response. I've been looking at the UniStrut ones for a while as well and thanks for the link to that thread, been reading through it to see what I can learn from it as well. Just the design of Channel Strut appeals to me in that it just looks stronger.

Having said that, the same problem of sourcing at an inexpensive price seems to remain. I went to Home Depot, Lowes, and Rona, but nobody carries it. Fastenal carries it and has 10ft lengths in stock, but they want about $60 per length + tax (http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/details/48124?searchMode=productSearch&filterByVendingMachine=). Figuring I'd need 3 10ft lengths = about $180 + tax, and that's before fasteners.

So I'm back to square one, has anyone sourced any of this in Canada for a reasonable price?

Not sure about Canada, but in the U.S. Lowes and Home Depot carry Unistrut. It is in the electrical section with conduit.

 

[Reaver]

Love this thread! I am in awe after reading through ALL 65 pages! It's like beer pr0n.

Since this thread goes back 4-1/2 years, can any of the early builders comment on how their brewstand has held up?

this has been 1 year, probably 8 batches with the burner in the frame. It hasn't gotten any more burned, or discolored since the 2nd or 3rd batch. I brew outside and am not worried about the "plating". I paid attention to the fumes till it burned off. Been fine since. I actually have replacement sections when I get my pumps situated and lay the stand down Horizontal/Single Tier.

 

[Berk]

I'm on-board, ordered parts tonight!

 

[Berk]

So you can add me to the list. I had a three tier gravity system that was a pain to set up. SWMBO said I can build a stand as long as i got rid of one of my two BBQ Grills, no problem that was an easy decision. I never used pumps before, so this is new to me and I was unsure of how this would all work.

A couple of things about my build, length is 54 inches, side burners are 19 inches wide each and the center for the MT is 16 inches wide. I chose to do a 22 inch height as opposed to 21. I purchased casters for $25 on flea bay.

I needed 3 bags of screws and that's what I happen to purchase. I used every last scrap of Angle Iron with maybe less than 6 inches of waste - total.

In the center, under the MT, I used a 16 x 16 tile from home depot, only $1.58. It keeps the MT cool. I happen to have two new iron grill grates that were 18 x 19, I trimmed them down to 16.5 x 19. The grill grates are required because I use an 8 gallon HLT and 10 gallon BK each only 13.5 inches diameter. They work great and I trimmed them up so the bolt heads hold them in place.

My observations on the burn-off and first run-through - The Covers/Shields over the pumps I made out of a $5 piece of steel, its invaluable... I spilled water everywhere on the first run through and the shields saved my pumps from a watery death. Also, the weather proof electric box was awesome, it got soak with water due to user error and no problems.

Very happy with this set-up and looking forward to my first brew on this stand, with pumps. I have a feeling that fly sparging will be a little less labor intensive.






edit added burner wind shields

 

[sudndeth]

I use that exact tile for mine too. Glad it's working out.

 

[jbb3]

One day I would like to build a single tier stand. Too many other projects to do first... Congrats to those who have accomplished their builds!!



Why are folks using two pumps? I assumed you would use one pump and just change hose connections around as needed? Just curious??

 

[Reaver]

Why are folks using two pumps? I assumed you would use one pump and just change hose connections around as needed? Just curious??

That depends on if you fly sparge and/or recirculate mash. If you batch sparge, you can lauter, then swap to pump in the sparge, then swap to lauter again.

I prefer to fly sparge, so I will be be lautering with one pump, and then sparging with the other at the same time. I haven't gotten my single tier up and running yet, but that's the plan.

 

[jbb3]

That depends on if you fly sparge and/or recirculate mash. If you batch sparge, you can lauter, then swap to pump in the sparge, then swap to lauter again.

I prefer to fly sparge, so I will be be lautering with one pump, and then sparging with the other at the same time. I haven't gotten my single tier up and running yet, but that's the plan.

Ok. Makes sense, kinda sorta... I'm a batch sparger. Fly sparging is still a bit of a mystery to me.

Thanks for splaining things!

 

[Berk]

Almost done, just need to get the HERMS coil in and get some more hose:

 

[jbb3]

Almost done, just need to get the HERMS coil in and get some more hose:

Your wife is going to kick your butt if she catches you with that thing in the living room!

Looking good!!

 

[Berk]

Your wife is going to kick your butt if she catches you with that thing in the living room!

Looking good!!

Ain't that the truth! LOL!!! It's been there for abut a week as I slowly complete the build. She keeps asking when I'm going to get it out of there.

But at least I got my brew buddy in the picture!

 

[richlong8020]

So I don't have to re-read the whole thread again. Who ever modded to fit the kegs under the burners so storage was better can you please post the measurements again. Thx for the help.

 

[richlong8020]

Ok I found it.

 

[findail]

Finally posting a picture of the build. Learned a lot from reading everyone's ideas and mods. Appreciated.

I had this set up at first where I could just direct flow to and from the chiller w/o switching out a modular valve gizmo, but the weight of it all messed with a seal. Since I built this using camlock fittings in order to more readily clean things, now I just swap out gizmos at the camlocks when I want to run the BK wort through the counterflow and back, and have an in-line thermo. on the output side of the counterflow to get that reading. EZ.

 

[richlong8020]

Nice looking rig. I'm hoping to shop for mine soon. I really want to do all grain.

 

[Bender]

Goes for a test boil on Wed (I ran out of time today) and a test brew on Sat.

 

[Edbeenbreto]

Man that is a clean rig!

 

[Dillyo]

After scouring the internet and this forum, I landed on this set up. Hope to brew with it soon.

 

[Bender]

You're fly sparging?

 

[kegtoe]

After scouring the internet and this forum, I landed on this set up. Hope to brew with it soon.

How did you mount your burner?

 

[Dillyo]

Yeah. I have a false bottom in the cooler.

 

[Dillyo]

The top burner is mounted directly to the metal grate under the keggle. The bottom burner is sitting on a cradle made from banding strap that is bolted to the inside of the shelves. That way I can lift it out if I want to use it separately from the brew stand.

 

[gifty74]

I would suspect that the relatively thin grate steel will eventually degrade and break apart from the direct flame of the burner. Time will tell of course, but I would pay particular close attention as that same grate is the only thing supporting a very heavy keggle full of very hot liquor, at a considerable height!

 

[Dillyo]

I would suspect that the relatively thin grate steel will eventually degrade and break apart from the direct flame of the burner. Time will tell of course, but I would pay particular close attention as that same grate is the only thing supporting a very heavy keggle full of very hot liquor, at a considerable height!

Yeah, this is a concern. The edges of the keggle actuall rest on the inside rails of the main beams. I have plans to add in some cross supports for it to rest on. I'm gonna get a brew on it and keep an eye on it to see how it holds up.

 

[tat2Pompadore]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1487088082.997857.jpg

I finally completed my strut stand. I'm ready to move up to 15 gallon all grain. What to brew 1st? Scottish ale I believe.

 

[drifter001]

Would you be able to and or willing to pm me a parts list with dimensions? I'm interested in building a stand three vessel stand

 

[Jomamma]

Done with RIMS tube.

 

[GHawk]

I built this stand yesterday using the McMaster-Carr parts list. 5 hours start to finish.
I fired it up today for a test run and burn-off. I filled 2 kegs with about 3-4 gallons and brought to boil.
Afterwards I noticed the steel had bent in a couple of places where the kegs sit. Imagine the weight with 12 gallons boiling
Has this happened to those who have built this stand with these parts?

 

[Bender]

I built this stand yesterday using the McMaster-Carr parts list. 5 hours start to finish.
I fired it up today for a test run and burn-off. I filled 2 kegs with about 3-4 gallons and brought to boil.
Afterwards I noticed the steel had bent in a couple of places where the kegs sit. Imagine the weight with 12 gallons boiling
Has this happened to those who have built this stand with these parts?

View attachment 546244

I've been running my stand for about 7 years. I have the same bends have not had an issue. What I did do is add additional supports to the long rails under the center of each keg.

 

[GHawk]

I took a picture of a spot there in the posted photo that looked like the metal has stretch cracks but it was too blurry to post. I may have to buy another 6 footer and reinforce those areas from underneath so not to stack too high on top and cause unbalance.