Does Your Ss False Bottom Get Grain Under It ?

[Pumpy]

I have a problem that my false bottom does not hold its dome shape on one quarter and the edge curls up and grain penetrates under when using the pump.

When I lay the False bottom on a flat surface the false bottom is now wavey .

Is there a way to overcome this problem .

pumpy

 

[Tony]

I had a go at making a FB with some perfirated plate and it buckled under the pressure of a 45 liter mash and pump.

I went back to my SS ring and mesh FB.

I looked into sone nice thick 1mm perfirated plate, with a perfect % open rating but it was like $150 for a square big enough for one.

I could get a big sheet cheaper but dont have access to a plasma cutter any more for a bulk buy arangment.

cheers

 

[pb unleaded]

I have my FB secured with a bolt and nut and (an overkill) braid underneath.

 

[Pumpy]

I have my FB secured with a bolt and nut and (an overkill) braid underneath.

How do you seal the bolt Arthur

Pumpy

 

[oldbugman]

I've had some issue with my FB sealing, runoff thru my hop sock for the last few and solved that issue for the time being.

was going to look at a braid under the FB, best of both worlds.

 

[mika]

I've got the same kinda issue Pumpy, I just re-bend the false bottom each time, it's a frustrating problem though.

 

[Andyd]

I have just finished converting my mash tun to a new fitting arrangement for a HERMS setup. I'm now draining straight out of the bottom of the tun instead of using a side-mounted port. The assembly is something like:



I've taken a normal hex 1/2" BSP female thread adapter and drilled 3 10mm holes through it to let the liquor flow from beneath the screen. The end-stop secures the screen. As it turns out, for my setup the height of the adapter means that I need to slightly deform the middle of the screen, but that helps maintain down pressure on it. Seems like it's going to keep grain out nicely at this stage.

Obviously there are washers where necessary, and while there shouldn't be any need to worry about liquor leaks in the top half I'm still using thread tape to complete the seal.

So far I've only done a water test of the system, but it leaves bugger all liquor in the bottom of the tun!

Andy

 

[warrenlw63]

I started out with a 12 inch SS false bottom in my mash tun (converted keg). I'd get a fair degree of grain and fines travelling under it where it'd take around 8 litres (or more) of recirculation to clear it. Reasons being the keg floor was a bit dented/uneven and there were a few undulations so the FB wouldn't seat flush to the keg floor unfortunately.

I'm now using a 9 inch FB which obviously has less surface drainage area but I'm finding it sits more firmly on the keg floor and I'm able to clear the runoff in the first 2 litres or so. For a batch sparge I'm getting exactly the same efficiency too.

Size doesn't always matter.

Oh and BTW the 12 inch hasn't gone to waste. Makes a great screen for filtering out whole hops in the boil kettle. B)

Warren -

 

[devo]

I've had some grain come thru but not to the extent where it's become an issue for me.

 

[FNQ Bunyip]

I dont have a FB as I BIAB but as a sugestion what about splitting a peice of hose or some sort of rubber seal and fitting around the edge of the FB like a large "o"ring.. Get a bolt welded in the bottom and a wing nut to hold it down on the seal..

Cheers

 

[jimmyjack]

I've had some issue with my FB sealing, runoff thru my hop sock for the last few and solved that issue for the time being.

Same here. Nice clean wort with no need to skim


Cheers, JJ

 

[SJW]

That looks just like mine Pumpy, But mine seems to sit flush on the bottom of the keg, and if it does not before the grain goes in is sure is when it does. On viewinf the clear pipes in and out of the March pump I get a few grains thru but it clears within a couple of mins. Sorry cant help.

Steve

 

[Online Brewing Supplies]

I mill fine for better efficience and use wedge wire screen FB with 0.8 mm gaps.Still get grain under the screen so I placed some s/steel flywire under that and all is well.I recirculate throught he lauter via pump for 10 mins then run off.
Gryphon Brewing

 

[Tony]

not much gets around the edge of mine, it bolts down with a 1/4" nut on either side.

cheers

 

[Pumpy]

Thanks Guys for all the suggestions,

I am going to try slitting a piece of PE tubing and putting around the edge of the false bottom for a start that may fill the gap if the edge curls up

Pumpy

 

[Pumpy]

Trying a piece of Polypropelene pipe with a slit on the inside to clip on it wont stop the False bottom callapsing but hoping it will stop the grain from getting under

 

[domonsura]

Head to clark rubber Pumpy, you want some sheet metal edging, use a bit of superglue to make an 'o-ring' out of it, and stretch it round your false bottom. Works really well, nice and tidy too.

 

[Pumpy]

Head to clark rubber Pumpy, you want some sheet metal edging, use a bit of superglue to make an 'o-ring' out of it, and stretch it round your false bottom. Works really well, nice and tidy too.

Thats an idea Domonsura is it food grade ?

I am in the process of making six adjustable SS screw legs to stop the False bottom collapsing under the weight


Pumpy

 

[domonsura]

Well it's not specifically food grade, but it is rated to 120 degrees. I've been using it round my false bottom for a few months and it's managed it OK, no off smells or obvious deterioration.

 

[Andyd]

Should be fine - liquid-sutures use in touch to stitch injuries is supaglue - it comes in a different packet, claims to be medical grade and is 10 times more expensive, but at the end of the day it's the same compound. So I doubt there's any major issue in using it.

Andy