Wooden BIAB Stand

[plazola86]

We don't you just tile the cement board? I did it with mine and clean up is a breeze. Just a wet wipe is all it takes!

 

[Tarpon87]

Update on the BIAB stand build. The wood has 2 coats of clear polyurethane, as it will get wet at times. All that I have left to do is build a 2x4 frame for the hoist. I plan to attach it by having the bottom ends lap over the two center boards that are protruding on top. Attach with carriage bolts and wingnuts for easy assembly and disassembly. I just need to measure how high it needs to be to allow the bag to clear the kettle.

As you can see, the kettle sits high on that Blickman w/legs. I rack directly out the drain valve through a short length of silicone tubing, passing through a sieve placed atop a funnel, into a 6 gal. carboy, so I need it up high.

Yeah that is going to sit up real high. I think mine is 7ft assembled but my burner sits much lower than yours, at least a foot. I made my uprights slide into channels, then i used dowls in the top of the uprights and drilled holes in the top cross piece to line it up. Then used swage locks for extra security and super quick setup and tear down .

 

[ancientmariner52]

+1 for tile. I built my kitchen countertops and backsplash with 4" sq. glazed porcelain tile. Easy cleanup, and I can set a hot pan anywhere with no worries. I used coffee colored grout, so stains aren't an issue.

When considering hoists and derricks and such, be sure to keep the center of gravity inside the footprint of the legs. Youtube is full of videos illustrating what happens when you don't.

 

[Tarpon87]

You could tile if you wanted, its probably pretty cheap insurance. I dont think it is neccessary, but i am usually the first one to overbuild something in the name of cheap insurance, plus it would look nicer. I also roughly sanded mine and coated it all in a stain/poly mix

 

[MaxStout]

Here are pics of the completed stand. I haven't used it to brew yet. The hoist frame is held in place with carriage bolts with wingnuts for easy assembly and disassembly. I will probably use concrete stain on the Durock, and maybe tile the bottom. I've never done tile work, so that would be a good practice run.

 

[Tarpon87]

Ill be interested to see how the concrete stain works. I have had some spillage on my concrete board, no issues yet but it is kind of crumbly stuff to begin with. Figured id be replacing it ever so often. Stain and tile bottom might be worth while for longevity + it will look better.

 

[Tarpon87]

Also, im jealous of the size of your propane tank.

 

[MaxStout]

Ill be interested to see how the concrete stain works. I have had some spillage on my concrete board, no issues yet but it is kind of crumbly stuff to begin with. Figured id be replacing it ever so often. Stain and tile bottom might be worth while for longevity + it will look better.

That's why I'm waiting a while before I apply some finish. I'm now even rethinking the concrete stain, as I might want to use something more in the way of a high-temp topcoat, something that seals up the cement. I too am concerned with the crumbly nature of the cement board. In its normal use (bathrooms and such) it's just painted and it is effectively sealed. But I will need something that will endure at least a couple hundred degrees. While the outsides don't get more than warm, areas of the inside do get somewhat hot and I don't want the finish burning off in the middle of a brew. Maybe some kind of fireplace paint. Grill paint is a possibility. I might still tile the bottom, but don't want to tile the sides, as I'm concerned that the board will flex and the tiles come loose.

The 40 lb. tank was something I picked up at a local home center store a few years back for around $70, IIRC. Fewer trips to refill, which is nice. I think you can get them at places that sell RVs, as that's a popular size for them.

 

[plazola86]

Tile it my man! It makes it looks a hundred times better and it won’t stress under working pressure. Tile is clay, takes thousands of degrees to stress it. Cement board is made for bathrooms a lot more humidity than your open air set up will ever take.

 

[ancientmariner52]

I've walked on 2000 year old tile floors that a volcano couldn't ruin. Proven technology, I think.

I like the way you secured your gas bottle.

 

[MaxStout]

Thanks, everybody! Lots of great input. I just might do the tile work later on. I have a box of 6" tiles left over from some work done in a bathroom a while back. I've done just about every other home DIY job, it's time I learned to do tile.

One thing I will say about cement board, if you score it with a knife and snap it, there is minimal dust, but the edge is rough. I used a circular saw with a masonry blade. Makes a nice, clean cut, but generates a huge amount of cement dust. You do not want to breathe that. I used a good respirator, and a face shield to protect from flying particles. Silica dust is nothing to mess with. Hindsight: I should have cut it outdoors, and not in my wood shop. There was a layer of fine dust everywhere!

 

[JayShaw]

L

Trying for a compact stand with some storage for everything I need on brew day.

The plan is for the overhead part to be able to be lifted out and brought down as a large "u" shape so that storage of this guy is easier. It's going to store my kettle, immersion cooler, spoons, blanky, propane tank, etc. on the stand with not in use. Possibly covered on the back porch when not in use this summer.

I plan on making this for Fathers day. (Wife is giving me some solid garage time)
I think this is coming along nicely in design, but looking for suggestions.

thanks

View attachment 282578

I have been looking for a BIAB set up.. love the design! Made it yesterday!

 

[Travis H]

Looks like I am going to get into another weekend project here. Great design on it. How well has the concrete backer board held up on it?

 

[JayShaw]

Three brews in in mine and it haze been great. I plan to put tile on the floor for any boil over or spills.

 

[jschein]

Three brews in in mine and it haze been great. I plan to put tile on the floor for any boil over or spills.

Nice job!

 

[gunnerp245]

Trying for a compact stand with some storage for everything I need on brew day...

Great idea. Constructed yesterday. Only changes were length at 48" vice 50.5", swivel casters on one end and stationary on ths other, corrugated metal vice cement board, and permanent uprights as i have plenty of overhead space.

Have to apply some poly to the wood, and maybe high-temp paint to the metal. Otherwise first use will be in a couple of days.