Braumeister NEXTGEN Build

[real_beer]

Thanks wotafm, I've quickly googled it and it seems no one has found a food grade silicone sealant?

I'm hoping someone can prove me wrong?

I've been looking for a while as well, found this yesterday and ordered a tube, might be good for what you want if you don't mind the grey colour.

http://www.crh.com.au/products/fabrication...grade-silicone/


Cheers

 

[PeteQ]

Thanks for the heads up everyone, I got some more 12mm hose and it worked perfectly.

On Sunday I brewed with my braumiser and it was by far the easiest brew day i have ever had! The only problem I had was the temps were out by 1 degree at 42, 2 degrees at 66 and boiling at 96.5. I haven't changed any PID settings in the brauduino, should I reduce P and increase D?

If people are wondering about numbers in a 19L main pot and 9L malt pipe using 2.2kg grain i got 12L of 1046 wort, about 79% efficiency (with 50% wheat). Next brew I will crush the grain a little more as it seemed the little brown pump was having no problems pushing through the coarse crush and maybe push it to 2.5kg grain.

I completely forgot about taking photos, I will hopefully brew again this weekend. My braumiser is a much more ghetto version than Mathos and Edaks but still gets the job done!

Thanks everyone for your input as I would have never been able to get it done without it!

Cheers

 

[wotafm]

i would be keen to see your pictures peteq. i test ran my unit on Monday so i just need to give it all a good wash and try it out

can anyone suggest a good easy brew for a new unit and a driver who has not done a A/G before.

cheers wotafm

 

[tynian]

It would appear as though you got a better price. Listed trade price is higher than that.

http://www.tobins.com.au/HTML/ItemHTML/KR73HO00.htm 2400 watt BM73HO Direct link
http://www.tobins.com.au/HTML/ItemHTML/KR73FO00.htm 1800 watt BM73FO00 Direct link

At any rate, the pricing and product looks good. That's good info, thanks for sharing.

Hi Pete,

Was this element bendable? If so, it seems like a great option for my element.

Cheers
Rob

 

[Dan Pratt]

Hi Pete,

Was this element bendable? If so, it seems like a great option for my element.

Cheers
Rob

Hi Rob,

I have been talking via email with Michael at Tobins and he has given me a fair bit of info about the 2400w element. He said that they are bendable and the no bend zone is 75mm up from the brushes.

They do not bend them for you, you would have to do that yourself. Postage to the central coast from sydney is $25 and i got quoted $65 for the element BH730HO(plus gst)

He did say that the elements have a minimum bend radius of 25mm which shouldn't effect making the circle(emailed him the picture from the thread)

Dan

 

[PeteQ]

Rob and Dan

Absolutely recommend that element. It took me about 5 minutes to bend into shape using the 9l malt pipe as a guide and my knee for the 90 degree bends. It does sit quite high in the pot, about 110mm from the base.

In my 19l pot it ramped up to temperatures nice and quick and the boil I had to turn down a bit (with the brauduino very easy to do). It was pulling about 10.8 amps

It also seemed easy to clean after the maiden voyage last weekend.

Good luck!

 

[Edak]

i would be keen to see your pictures peteq. i test ran my unit on Monday so i just need to give it all a good wash and try it out

can anyone suggest a good easy brew for a new unit and a driver who has not done a A/G before.

cheers wotafm

Hey wotafm,
I would recommend the Dr Smurto Golden Ale for your first AG.

 

[PeteQ]

I'm sure along with many other brewers DrS Golden Ale is my house ale. An absolutely fantastic beer

 

[Dan Pratt]

Rob and Dan

Absolutely recommend that element. It took me about 5 minutes to bend into shape using the 9l malt pipe as a guide and my knee for the 90 degree bends. It does sit quite high in the pot, about 110mm from the base.

In my 19l pot it ramped up to temperatures nice and quick and the boil I had to turn down a bit (with the brauduino very easy to do). It was pulling about 10.8 amps

It also seemed easy to clean after the maiden voyage last weekend.

Good luck!

Thats great to hear, thanks Peteq.

do you have any pictures of the element or for your braumieser build?

Dan

 

[tynian]

Thats great to hear, thanks Peteq.

do you have any pictures of the element or for your braumieser build?

Dan

Thanks Pete and Dan,

That is great info.

I have relatives that live not too far from Chullora so hopefully I will be able to get one picked up

Rob.

 

[PeteQ]

Thats great to hear, thanks Peteq.

do you have any pictures of the element or for your braumieser build?

Dan

I've uploaded a few photos I've taken to http://www.flickr.com/photos/88081994@N04/

I used my biab bag with a small hole in it to go over the threaded rod for last weekends brew to hold in all the grains and my hop sock over the top plate. Ghetto but did the job.

Excuse all the crap on the ground, I will update with more pics from brews over the weekend.

Cheers

 

[tynian]

I've uploaded a few photos I've taken to http://www.flickr.com/photos/88081994@N04/

I used my biab bag with a small hole in it to go over the threaded rod for last weekends brew to hold in all the grains and my hop sock over the top plate. Ghetto but did the job.

Excuse all the crap on the ground, I will update with more pics from brews over the weekend.

Cheers

Looking great Pete,

I can't wait to get mine up and running, it's all so exciting.

Cheers
Rob

 

[Dan Pratt]

I've uploaded a few photos I've taken to http://www.flickr.com/photos/88081994@N04/

I used my biab bag with a small hole in it to go over the threaded rod for last weekends brew to hold in all the grains and my hop sock over the top plate. Ghetto but did the job.

Excuse all the crap on the ground, I will update with more pics from brews over the weekend.

Cheers

I see you built the controller too, good work and well done.

Thanks heaps for posting the link for the pictures, more inspiration

 

[Edak]

Great job Pete, do you have any photos of the base with the plumbing?

 

[datamike]

Hi Pete,

Was this element bendable? If so, it seems like a great option for my element.

Cheers
Rob

Anyone know of a US supplier of similar elements?

Thanks!

 

[Dan Pratt]

We are about to cut the handles of the malt pipe and attahced the lift lugs, to weld on or screw through? its easiest is to screw through but How do you guys get the base filter plate down the malt pipe when the lift bolts on the malt pipe get in the way?

 

[PeteQ]

The photos are quite embarrassing but I am going to clean up the wiring at some point. If the circuit you're using isn't RCD protected make sure you have ATLEAST 2 layers of insulation on all 240v wiring.
All seals are either silicone bakeware or silicone O rings. Temperature probe sealed with selleys knead it (apparently food grade?)

 

[PeteQ]

Pratty
The colander I'm using as the bottom filter plate fits easily over the 2 internal stainless bolts, unfortunately I'm no help.

datamike
try googling universal element, DIY element, bend it yourself element, bain marie element...

 

[wotafm]

Thanks for the Golden ale tip guys looks like a winner.

here are a few pic of my finished unit.



a bit of artistic pipework



element covers using a 50mm ss pipe



how it all looks underneath

 

[Edak]

We are about to cut the handles of the malt pipe and attahced the lift lugs, to weld on or screw through? its easiest is to screw through but How do you guys get the base filter plate down the malt pipe when the lift bolts on the malt pipe get in the way?

Hey Pratty,

My filter plate goes in snugly but I put it in on an angle so it goes past the bolts. I also ground down the heads of the bolts so they aren't so large. Worked for me.

The photos are quite embarrassing but I am going to clean up the wiring at some point. If the circuit you're using isn't RCD protected make sure you have ATLEAST 2 layers of insulation on all 240v wiring.
All seals are either silicone bakeware or silicone O rings. Temperature probe sealed with selleys knead it (apparently food grade?)

Pete,
Looks ok, as you say it's cosmetic. I would not brew on a circuit that wasn't RCD (safety switch) protected.

Thanks for the Golden ale tip guys looks like a winner.

here are a few pic of my finished unit.

a bit of artistic pipework

element covers using a 50mm ss pipe

how it all looks underneath

I love your work wotafm, great looking build. Just did a Nelson Sauvin Summer Ale today so the waiting game begins again. Downed a couple more of my Golden Ales and they are really a treat, even for a first brew.

I wish I had someone tasting my beers other than myself and a couple of friends who aren't homebrewing and don't really know what to look for. Personally my first AG was a success if you ask me.

 

[Dan Pratt]

Thanks for the Golden ale tip guys looks like a winner.

here are a few pic of my finished unit.

View attachment 57671

a bit of artistic pipework

View attachment 57672

element covers using a 50mm ss pipe

View attachment 57673

how it all looks underneath

View attachment 57674

great update with the pictures Edak. keep them coming, video??

what is the flow rate on the pump your using? any reason why you changed it from the green pump>>>

 

[PeteQ]

Thanks for the Golden ale tip guys looks like a winner.

here are a few pic of my finished unit.

That is awesome! I wish I had access to a welder... and someone who could weld. Definitely take some photos when you brew with it, would really like to see it in action!

I brewed again over the weekend and used a 2.5kg grain bill which bent my top filter plate, if i didn't have my biab bag over the main pot a bit of grain would have spewed out. Maybe not so much of an issue but I can't imagine it would be any good for the little brown pump.

Another problem I'm still having is the temps are 2-4 degrees out. Anybody have any problems with their temps?

Uploaded a few more photos with my braumiser in action http://www.flickr.com/photos/88081994@N04/

 

[Edak]

great update with the pictures Edak. keep them coming, video??

what is the flow rate on the pump your using? any reason why you changed it from the green pump>>>

Hey pratty, those were not my photos. My photos are at http://images.cobbersbrewery.com

I still use the green pump.

 

[wotafm]

Another problem I'm still having is the temps are 2-4 degrees out. Anybody have any problems with their temps?

PeteQ Where are you checking you temps compared to you controllers probe?

if you are reading a low temp compared to your controller the probe is very close to your element this could be causing the difference

 

[Edak]

PeteQ Where are you checking you temps compared to you controllers probe?

if you are reading a low temp compared to your controller the probe is very close to your element this could be causing the difference

Surely the place of measurement would not describe a 4 degree offset, especially if there is reasonable flow past the element. That's a huge variation!

 

[PeteQ]

PeteQ Where are you checking you temps compared to you controllers probe?

if you are reading a low temp compared to your controller the probe is very close to your element this could be causing the difference

I'm checking the temps at the top of the malt pipe resting on top of the filter plate with my trusty old http://www.grainandgrape.com.au/product_in...roducts_id=8555

The thermometer is measuring much higher than the brauduino is showing. I could deal with it but I'd prefer it to be spot on, maybe I might try another DS18B20 and see if that measures the same temps.

The flow just from the little brown pump is MUCH more than i expected. definitely enough flow around the probe which is quite close to the inlet.

Thanks for your help

 

[Edak]

Wow, that was unexpected. The temp at the top of the MP is higher than outside? I see why you are concerned.

If you are truely confident in your G&G thermometer, just adjust the DS temperature in software. Call it a calibration.
If the calibration is non-linear, chart it in excel, create a polynomial that best fits and use those factors to adjust the end value.

Follow this technical note that describes the process for a data acquisition system using excel, follow only until you get to step 3.2 I know it relates to thermocouples, but can be used for anything.

 

[dmac80]

Hi PeteQ,

Is your DS18b20 in a thermowell? Are you getting full heat transfer through to the sensor? Has the heat transfer paste run out?

It may be worth checking out, even if the probe is a pre manufactured one if they have heat transfer paste in there it doesn't like hot temps and being mounted upside down.

Cheers

 

[wotafm]

I did have a DS18b20 that read high after I hook it up backwards once. poor thing was never the same so I ended up ditching it

 

[matho]

I have gotten a headcold so I had to stay away from hospital today.

It's great to see so many single vessel breweries being made you guys have done a great job.

As for the DS18b20 temperature difference, it could be any of the things suggested or your trusty thermometer is out. What I have found is that my DS18B20 agrees with my lab thermometer all the way up to 80 deg c then it starts to read low until boil when it reads about 2 degs lower but in the specs it is only rated to be accurate to +-0.5 deg up to 80 deg. Pete you could change the sensor but my gut feeling is the new one would read the same, if you have been brewing with your old thermometer then just factor in the difference at mash temps and let the beer tell you which way you should go, repeatability is more important than the exact temperature in my book anyway.

cheers steve