That could work, but ideally you'll need multiple overlapping rows of it to make it waterproof, because it isn't very wide and water would get into butt joints and delaminate the cement. I was thinking you were looking for a single sheet solution. Heck, you could possibly even use one section of a shower surround insert (maybe get lucky and find an open box/damaged one for cheap) and just cut it to length. Depends on how ornate you would like to be. And how much work you want to put into it. Lots of solutions to this problem. My first thought when you mentioned it was SS, but I figured as you said it was probably going to be temporary, that'd be a pretty big investment.
Zeus's rebirth. Non typical, all steam brew stand.
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I had a busy week. I didn't get to work on anything directly, but I did get some stuff organized.
- I found a piece of SS for the backsplash. Actually I found a couple candidates. I have to measure them, pick one and install it.
- I bought a 1/2" conduit knock out and some parts (bolts, fittings) to pull a flange on the holes for ports that I have to weld or solder into the kettles
- I finally found the fittings to connect the steam hose to the boiler and kettle. It turns out the crimped on fittings on the steam hose are -04 (1/4") British Standard Pipe Parallel (BSPP). I had to go to several specialty hose and fitting shops before I found an expert that knew what he was talking about and identified it. It was a major pain figuring this out. All the other places I went to had no clue. I bought up 3 1/4" BSPP x 1/4" NPT fittings. They were $2.75 each.
- The steam pressure switch arrived.
- Some other stuff for stir plates and fermentors arrived too, but I'm not talking about that in detail right now.
I'm still missing the steam pressure gauge and boiler water level gauge, but at least I can connect the boiler to the steam coil in the kettle now. I could run without the missing items. I'll see how far I get with putting the ports into the kettle before I make that decision.
I'll try to get the backsplash up and the ports in the kettle. If I get ambitious I'll plumb in the pressure switch and temp sensor.
I also ordered the fittings and hardware for mash HX and designed the wort chiller HX. I'll talk about them when I start working on them.
Edit: forgot the pictures.
Here is a link to BSPP.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Standard_Pipe
Note that there is also BSPT, which is British Straight Pipe Tapered. This hose needs BSPP, because the seal is made at the cone/fitting interface, NOT the threads, as on a piece of pipe.
- I found a piece of SS for the backsplash. Actually I found a couple candidates. I have to measure them, pick one and install it.
- I bought a 1/2" conduit knock out and some parts (bolts, fittings) to pull a flange on the holes for ports that I have to weld or solder into the kettles
- I finally found the fittings to connect the steam hose to the boiler and kettle. It turns out the crimped on fittings on the steam hose are -04 (1/4") British Standard Pipe Parallel (BSPP). I had to go to several specialty hose and fitting shops before I found an expert that knew what he was talking about and identified it. It was a major pain figuring this out. All the other places I went to had no clue. I bought up 3 1/4" BSPP x 1/4" NPT fittings. They were $2.75 each.
- The steam pressure switch arrived.
- Some other stuff for stir plates and fermentors arrived too, but I'm not talking about that in detail right now.
I'm still missing the steam pressure gauge and boiler water level gauge, but at least I can connect the boiler to the steam coil in the kettle now. I could run without the missing items. I'll see how far I get with putting the ports into the kettle before I make that decision.
I'll try to get the backsplash up and the ports in the kettle. If I get ambitious I'll plumb in the pressure switch and temp sensor.
I also ordered the fittings and hardware for mash HX and designed the wort chiller HX. I'll talk about them when I start working on them.
Edit: forgot the pictures.
Here is a link to BSPP.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Standard_Pipe
Note that there is also BSPT, which is British Straight Pipe Tapered. This hose needs BSPP, because the seal is made at the cone/fitting interface, NOT the threads, as on a piece of pipe.
I went to start welding and soldering keg fittings in my garage and was reminded that the lighting is absolutely terrible. Only 4 bulbs in a 700 ft^2 garage. Typical minimum builder spec.
Its been bugging me since we bought our house 2 years ago. Time to do something about it, especially since I'd like to work in the garage in the evening.
On top of it all, I had to change some of the framing in the ceiling, not because of hanging the lights but because it needed to be changed for other reasons and there was no use hanging and wiring lights only to have to tear them down and redo them when I do the framing changing.
So I'm side tracked doing some framing in the ceiling of my garage, pulling wires and hanging light fixtures. I hope to be done tomorrow night, at least enough (half) of the garage that I can resume working on brewery stuff.
Its been bugging me since we bought our house 2 years ago. Time to do something about it, especially since I'd like to work in the garage in the evening.
On top of it all, I had to change some of the framing in the ceiling, not because of hanging the lights but because it needed to be changed for other reasons and there was no use hanging and wiring lights only to have to tear them down and redo them when I do the framing changing.
So I'm side tracked doing some framing in the ceiling of my garage, pulling wires and hanging light fixtures. I hope to be done tomorrow night, at least enough (half) of the garage that I can resume working on brewery stuff.
512brew-com
Active Member
very interested in your steam system, wondering what's the latest!
I really think you're onto something - a single element instead of many and a large "battery" of thermal energy which has high txfr efficiency to your boil pot. Nothing new to the chemical processing industry (or large brewery), but certainly a departure from home-brewing convention.
I'm sure it's got its quirks, but it seems to solve a lot of problems.
I really think you're onto something - a single element instead of many and a large "battery" of thermal energy which has high txfr efficiency to your boil pot. Nothing new to the chemical processing industry (or large brewery), but certainly a departure from home-brewing convention.
I'm sure it's got its quirks, but it seems to solve a lot of problems.
Hey Brewman, last we heard you had everything needed to safely fire it up and that you were going to try it the week after Easter. Hopefully the reason for no updates isn't because it wasn't a particularly safe startup? :-O
The week after Easter and the rest of April turned out to be extremely busy. My wife went on a work related trip for 2 1/2 weeks, meaning I had to take care of our 3 kids. I also had an investment go sideways that required attention to get back on track. And I had to evict the tenants from a rental property we own. Needless to say it was a hectic month.
The good news is that my wife came back today and I've accumulated massive Brownie points, so I should have my evenings free for the next while to work on things.
While all that was going on, the level sensor for the boiler arrived, as did a few other goodies I haven't been talking about. I should be able to do a really thorough test of things as soon as I get some fittings welded into my boil kettle.
On the bad news front, I've been waiting over a month for SS TC fittings to ship for the fermentors and the heat exchanger and they still aren't here.
The good news is that my wife came back today and I've accumulated massive Brownie points, so I should have my evenings free for the next while to work on things.
While all that was going on, the level sensor for the boiler arrived, as did a few other goodies I haven't been talking about. I should be able to do a really thorough test of things as soon as I get some fittings welded into my boil kettle.
On the bad news front, I've been waiting over a month for SS TC fittings to ship for the fermentors and the heat exchanger and they still aren't here.
So I finally got possession yesterday of the basement suite that I evicted the tenants from. Turns out they trashed the place. It needs new carpets and paint and a window is broken.
Getting it back into renting condition is going to take up my free time for a while.
Getting it back into renting condition is going to take up my free time for a while.
Wow, you sure have been busy. Over the years, I've went back and forth about owning rental property and being a landlord, and each time I've concluded the upside gain doesn't outweigh the potential downside costs. Pretty much for the reason you've described above. Plus all the 'tenant protections' that have been put into place, well, I just couldn't justify the hassle. Hopefully the damage deposit covers at least a decent percentage of the necessary cleanup, but of course it won't come close to covering your time. Which sux, because you do have a life. Is there any way to recover any more from them, or are you SOL?
So, anything new and exciting in the Brewman saga as of late?
I/we got the suite cleaned out, painted, new carpet, a couple upgrades and it now has a new tenant living in it. Whew ! I'm tired just thinking about it. I have a couple little things to tend to yet this week and then its totally done.
Brewers Hardware got my order from March shipped out last week. Its got some parts I need to set up the mash tun HX.
I am severely distracted from brewing at the moment by a big landscaping project on our property. Although we aren't going to tackle it until the fall (September), it involves a bunch of design work, permits, equipment, etc. so I'm trying to get that organized. The deadline for the permit application is mid July. Sounds like I should have lots of time, but there are a lot of diverse pieces to bring together. As soon as I'm caught up with that, its back to testing the boiler.
I finally got the lights in a good part of my garage wired up tonight. I now have lights over my welding table !
Prior to this I hated working in my garage because the lighting was terrible. I should now be able to sneak out there after dinner and tinker on brewing equipment.
Prior to this I hated working in my garage because the lighting was terrible. I should now be able to sneak out there after dinner and tinker on brewing equipment.
Sweet! Be sure to take lotsa pics, they are always appreciated. I just got my new kegerator hooked up this weekend, it has room for 3 1/6th kegs, though currently has only 2 taps from the mfg. I'll have to get creative for the 3rd one. Looking forward to seeing how your project progresses!
Hey Brewman, it's been a month, anything new and exciting going on in your world?
I went to NHC in San Diego and had an absolute blast. I'm super pumped to get brewing again.
My fittings finally arrived from Brewers Hardware. I haven't even opened them.
I'm working on a very big landscaping project that has me totally consumed. Its taking all my spare time and then some. I got to sleep last night at 1:30 AM.
The steam brewery is probably on hold until late fall. I'm dying to work on it, but as long as the weather is good I have to keep working on outside stuff. As soon as the weather turns, I'll be back inside working on it.
My fittings finally arrived from Brewers Hardware. I haven't even opened them.
I'm working on a very big landscaping project that has me totally consumed. Its taking all my spare time and then some. I got to sleep last night at 1:30 AM.
The steam brewery is probably on hold until late fall. I'm dying to work on it, but as long as the weather is good I have to keep working on outside stuff. As soon as the weather turns, I'll be back inside working on it.
Its fall. I've started working on this again.
I ordered the final parts to put it together, including the steam valves so that it can be automated. They should be here in 3 weeks, taking the slow boat from China.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=309276&stc=1&d=1444776627
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=309277&stc=1&d=1444776627
I ordered the final parts to put it together, including the steam valves so that it can be automated. They should be here in 3 weeks, taking the slow boat from China.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=309276&stc=1&d=1444776627
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=309277&stc=1&d=1444776627
512brew-com
Active Member
Fantastic! I've been waiting for this. I'm really excited for the possibilities. This is one of the best ideas on HBT.
Glad to see your back at it! Keep us posted, love to see you finish and enjoy brewing on it!
John
John
Cant wait to see your progress!
The steam valves finally arrived. They really did take the slow boat from China.
I don't see a pressure rating on them for steam. Or a temperature rating. Only water, oil and air. I'm hoping that they have the right valve seat material and that the vendor didn't massage the specs to get a sale. Otherwise they look great.
I don't see a pressure rating on them for steam. Or a temperature rating. Only water, oil and air. I'm hoping that they have the right valve seat material and that the vendor didn't massage the specs to get a sale. Otherwise they look great.
Looks nice! Has the assembling begun?
Cool! As always, pics are greatly appreciated, especially on this uber build!
I spent some time figuring out how to set up the controls and started laying out the boiler control box.
I decided that the boiler is going to have its own control box, separate from the kettle controls. I'm doing this because the boiler control box has a big power cable running into it and it needs to be close to the boiler. That is not where I want the kettle controls. And the kettle control box only needs 120VAC power to run the pumps. It doesn't need a big 240VAC cable running into it.
I'm undecided on how to set up the kettle control box. Part of me wants to use PID controllers, part of me wants to run it from an RPi server. I'll give this some thought while I get the boil going. The good thing about the kettle control box being its own box is that it is much easier to work on and change.
Pics to follow when I work on it again.
I decided that the boiler is going to have its own control box, separate from the kettle controls. I'm doing this because the boiler control box has a big power cable running into it and it needs to be close to the boiler. That is not where I want the kettle controls. And the kettle control box only needs 120VAC power to run the pumps. It doesn't need a big 240VAC cable running into it.
I'm undecided on how to set up the kettle control box. Part of me wants to use PID controllers, part of me wants to run it from an RPi server. I'll give this some thought while I get the boil going. The good thing about the kettle control box being its own box is that it is much easier to work on and change.
Pics to follow when I work on it again.
Hey Brewman, could you please give us your thoughts on using PID controllers, vs. an RPi server. Pros/cons kind of thing. As you're trying to decide between them tells me that there are advantages and disadvantages to both, and that there obviously isn't a perfect way to do it. Thanks!
OK, here is my $0.02.
I'd like to set up an RPi to do the local control of the steam valves, pumps and to monitor temps because I think it is way more versatile. For example, one could use several temp sensors in the mash tun instead of just one on the temp control input of the PID. One could also do data logging, view graphs, run timers, plot temp gains, etc. For me, the big aspect of doing an RPi controller is that I can be in another room while watching the process on a browser. That makes my brew days much easier.
The downside of all that is that I don't know of a currently available (open source) program that does this and thus I'd have to write it myself. Right now I'm in "lets just get it running" mode, so I don't want to take the time to do that, so I'll probably just use PID controllers and switches.
There is also a cost factor. An RPi, relay board and DS18 temperature sensors are way less expensive than PID controllers, DIN timers, thermocouples, manual switches and all the cabling that needs.
I'm going to get the boiler controller working first and worry about the kettle controls later. I just want to get it running and start brewing. I'm using a PID and wired electronics for the boiler control box because boilers are simple to control and I want it to be foolproof.
512brew-com
Active Member
Hey brewman, search for Doug Edey and his open-source strange brew controller software, here in the forums. Seems like it would fit the bill.
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