Ag Gear.... What Do I Need?

[Yeasty]

I wouldnt trust anything that isnt food grade

 

[domonsura]

I don't reckon I'd go there Pok. Get yourself a March and save yourself all the wondering about whether it'll be ok or not. It's only another $100. Worth every penny.

 

[pokolbinguy]

I don't reckon I'd go there Pok. Get yourself a March and save yourself all the wondering about whether it'll be ok or not. It's only another $100. Worth every penny.

any suggestions where to buy from?

Cheers, Pok

 

[domonsura]

sent you a pm about the thread pok.

 

[pokolbinguy]

Ok I have acquired a keg (approx 40/50L I assume.... will have to measure) that I am planning to use for my HLT ..... so slowly getting there.

This is what she looks like....







Only draw back that I can see is the large hole in the top... it is a pretty rough cut so will need some filing / grinding.

Has a thread already installed so that is a big bonus... just need to get an element installed...and maybe a custom red paint job to match the Kettle.

Any suggestions?

Pok

 

[Yeasty]

use it as a kettle? i dont think u need a lid on the kettle...

 

[pokolbinguy]

use it as a kettle? i dont think u need a lid on the kettle...

So you reckon use the bigger keg as a HLT and the smaller as the Kettle? ... I was thinking the other way around so I can do bigger batches. Tun is 60 L, kettle atm (if I use the big sucker thats previously shown in this thread) around 60/70L... (guess) and HLT (using the smaller one) around 40/50 L (guess)

OR do I look for a bigger keg to use and have all 3 around the 60 L mark?

Pok

 

[pokolbinguy]

So this is where I have progressed to:

The Kettle:

Hole cut thanks to MHB and also element fitted. Has been painted with kill rust and will get a new paint job hopefully sooner than later. Will be bright red.



The HLT:

Currently no work has been done on this vessel... however it came with a 3/4" thread already installed and a hole cut in the top... just need to clean it up a bit.

Will either install one or two kettle elements in it or another element the same as the kettle.




The Mash Tun:

As Shown in another thread (the ebay thread I think) I purchased this cooler to make into my mash tun (ebay link)



After a removing the base plate the plumbing of the cooler was easily removed. It originally had plastic hosing but that was easy to removed. I also replaced the plastic "sink" hole in the bottom of the cooler with a SS one from the local boating suppliers.

I will replace the plastic hosing with either stainless pipe or braided hose and place a ball valve on the outside.

Just have to add a false bottom... will be one of these, that I will modify by taking the fitting off the middle and plan on drilling a hole in the bottom of the cooler to allow the false bottom to be fixed in place and easily removed.




Things are slowly coming along. The wish list now includes:

- March pump or similar
- False Bottom
- Taps and hoses
- Mash Master Temp Controller
- Filter cartridge for the filter housing etc I bought... going to get a 1 micron absolute and a 2 micron as it is a twin chamber housing


Cheers, Pok

 

[pokolbinguy]

Waa Hoooo...

Got myself a new fermenting fridge.... bit of a story to it....

as some may know I was trying to get rid of my old fridge that didnt work.... ended up selling it on ebay for a whole $0.99.... turned out the guy was taking it for scrap metal... so on that note we loaded his trailer up with a huge load of crap... he was happy as larry... and I now have one much cleaner back yard.

The new fridge came from ebay... a whole $5.00....

Cleaned her this morning and put the fridgemate on... all ready for brewing






All coming along quite nicely.



Pok

 

[pokolbinguy]

AG setup is slowly coming along, the following additions have been made:

Brew Bench:



Materials came from Bunnings and turned out a great way to build it. Easy and great for future modification and also for additions. Made it really easy to fit sink, peg board and filter. Slotted angle, nuts and bolts etc cost about $170.



Grabbed this sink from the local tip recyclers, including the sheet of stainless covering it in the first pic for a whole $20. Added a tap mixer that used to be in the kitchen, and with a nice white paint job to the tap looks the goods.

Also added the peg board to make some hanging space for brewing tools etc.



Was originally going to use this filter to filter my beer, but turned out to be useless so it will be used to filter the cold water. This should mean the water used will be super clean


Personally I think it seems to be coming along well. Just need to work out what to do with my mash tun, which at the moment is destined to be on the ground as it has wheels...however this brings up the issue of lautering. I could potenitally add a chaise (return) to the bench which would be pretty simple but seeing the tun is on wheels would be great to be able to have in on the ground.

Cheers, Pok

 

[sid]

Good to see all your picture's of your set up for AG, I'm picking up a 50ltr keg this weekend, so it's giving me some ideas. I need to see my mate who's an engineer and with any luck version 1 will be started.

 

[troydo]

hey pokolbinguy, have you tried that esky yet? i was looking at buying one... how much did you pay? i have found a few on ebay.

 

[pokolbinguy]

hey pokolbinguy, have you tried that esky yet? i was looking at buying one... how much did you pay? i have found a few on ebay.

I haven't used it yet, cost me around $130 delieverd from memory. I bought it off Ebay. Postage was the killer...i think the cooler itself was about $69.

I think "Craigm" bought one aswell, maybe hit him up for some info.

Cheers, Pok

(In Malaysia atm)

 

[craig maher]

I haven't used it yet, cost me around $130 delieverd from memory. I bought it off Ebay. Postage was the killer...i think the cooler itself was about $69.

I think "Craigm" bought one aswell, maybe hit him up for some info.

Cheers, Pok

(In Malaysia atm)

Mine cost $89 plus postage - like Pok postage was high to NSW.
The seller was Buys-online Big Chilli Coolers.

Cheers,

Craig

 

[troydo]

i saw one for 99 or 129 or something plus postage...

How have you found it as a mash tun craig?

Also it seems big chillie have removed all their eskies from ebay since yesterday...

 

[craig maher]

i saw one for 99 or 129 or something plus postage...

How have you found it as a mash tun craig?

Also it seems big chillie have removed all their eskies from ebay since yesterday...

I have not used it as yet - still using the old rubbermaid cooler atm.
Hope to have it all complete for the maiden mash over the Xmas break <_<
Before Big Chilli the lowest I had seen them was $129 - I think that seller was Flatworld.
Not sure why Big Chilli have removed their listings - I had no dramas with them.

Cheers,

Craig

 

[pokolbinguy]

What type of taps should I buy for my setup.

SS fittings are way to expensive. I know there is issues with Brass....but what if they are plated?

Comments, words of wisdom...

Cheers, Pok

 

[mika]

$35 a tap for 3 taps ? Wouldn't have thought that was real bad, it is a lifetime system.

Brass is OK, the amount of lead is negligible. Nickel plated brass will probably wear off over time anyway and you'll be back to brass.

 

[pokolbinguy]

$35 a tap for 3 taps ? Wouldn't have thought that was real bad, it is a lifetime system.

Brass is OK, the amount of lead is negligible. Nickel plated brass will probably wear off over time anyway and you'll be back to brass.

You have a point there. Only buy them once.

Other think though is I will need quite a few taps in my march pump setup.... so the cost will go up with that as I will need another 3 or 4.

Cheers, Pok

 

[reg]

Try this link www.geordi.com.au/Products39d.html

I used them, minimum order of $30
Postage $10.
They specialise in Stainless fittings
Three piece 1/2 inch ball valve for $26 plus tax.

Great investment for your brewery and can be pulled apart to be cleaned.
I am in the process of setting up a 3 keg AG set up.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing pics of the final set up and your first brew..

Reg
P.S if link doesnt work just cut and paste into browser
I havent quite mastered the link thing yet