Double Batch Brewery Upgrade

[fcmcg]

The only problem that I can see will be ya missus whinging about the cost of the stainless (and everything else that sparkles) .
Sayes me, currently tip toeing around an upgrade to a gravity fed double batch system B) .

Winkle,
I'd be interested in your plans for a gravity fed double batch system....may provide some food for thought as i try and eventually head that way ...
Cheers

 

[browndog]

The only problem that I can see will be ya missus whinging about the cost of the stainless (and everything else that sparkles) .
Sayes me, currently tip toeing around an upgrade to a gravity fed double batch system B) .

Hehe...too right there mate, she intercepted a package of two PID controllers delivered yesterday. The conversation went like this.

Missus: A package came for you today, what is it?
Me: A few things I ordered (no need to explain what for, it is always the same)
Missus: It's from Hong Kong.
Me: Yes, stuff is really cheap there, I'm saving heaps of money. I just have to go out to the garage for a while.

Where upon I went out to keg an Aussie Dark Ale, when she came out and found me doing this combined with the package got her hackles up a bit, but it didn't last long!

cheers

Browndog

 

[chappo1970]

BD,
That's going to be one awesome rig when finished mate. Stainless everything I like your style. The HE system is brilliant, I would never have thought to use a 5kg fire extinguisher. So I guess the coil for HE will be SS as well? How are you going to bend the SS pipe? I have never bent SS pipe but I hear that is a right b#tch to bend cleanly.

Reno's you say huh? I work for beer mate especially that Aussie Sparkling you have hidden... :lol:

 

[TidalPete]

Any stainless steel is a PITA to work with, especially in bare feet :lol: but having the right gear helps.

TP

 

[browndog]

BD,
That's going to be one awesome rig when finished mate. Stainless everything I like your style. The HE system is brilliant, I would never have thought to use a 5kg fire extinguisher. So I guess the coil for HE will be SS as well? How are you going to bend the SS pipe? I have never bent SS pipe but I hear that is a right b#tch to bend cleanly.

Reno's you say huh? I work for beer mate especially that Aussie Sparkling you have hidden... :lol:

Well, I have to fess up and say the HE coil is 1/2" copper and to get that into a neat 4" coil was a bugger of a job. It would be nigh on impossible to do it in stainless, not saying it could not be done, just saying you would need some schmick gear. Careful what you say about rennos Chappo, I might hold you to it. Got a Jamil's chock hazelnut porter for you to try at BABBs next week mate.

cheers

Browndog

 

[chappo1970]

Good call on the copper IMO. SS would be such a PITA especially that tight a coil. So the rest your doing in SS though? Do you plan to hard fix/weld to the pots etc or flanges and fittings?

...Careful what you say about rennos Chappo, I might hold you to it. Got a Jamil's chock hazelnut porter for you to try at BABBs next week mate.

cheers

Browndog

Be happy to give a hand to a mate especially when there's my power tools and your beer is concerned :lol: .

Chock Hazelnut Porter mmmmmm :icon_drool2: can't wait!

 

[Yorg]

I hard plumbed a valve assembly much like your schematic about 2yr ago.
Wanted to see how a possible automated system might work, and I just used the valves manually for a few brews.
BIGGEST pain in the arse to operate. Kept leaving one or another on that I shouldn't have, or it all looked right but why wouldn't it work - oh I didn't turn that valve when I should have, but jeez I checked just then and just couldn't see it....
Get the picture? its a forest of valves.
Went back to shifting hoses, all peachy again.

Also - where did you get the pots?

 

[browndog]

Yes Yorg, I hear you mate, my current system has quite a few valves and I'm guilty of having a few beers before the boil and leaving the HLT tap open while drain the MT to the kettle and thinking hey, how come the wort in the tun isn't dropping.... DOH.... I got the pots from an asian importer at Browns Plains who advertised them on Ebay.

cheers

Browndog

 

[NickB]

Your system looks tops Tony!

I'm trying to minimize the amount of valves. Currently have 3 in rotation with hoses moving for different functions, however will need at least another once my 50L HLT is up and running.

Cheers

 

[Yorg]

Yes Yorg, I hear you mate, my current system has quite a few valves and I'm guilty of having a few beers before the boil and leaving the HLT tap open while drain the MT to the kettle and thinking hey, how come the wort in the tun isn't dropping.... DOH.... I got the pots from an asian importer at Browns Plains who advertised them on Ebay.

cheers

Browndog

Mate can you be a bit more specific about the ebay reference - I would really like to track that down. Perhaps an item number or a seller id?
Cheers.

 

[hughman666]

beware that cheap-ass kongs SS crap. after a couple of months mine started staining (even after repeated washing) and buckling due to heat - plus an unhealthy film started collecting days after a brew - what was it doing to my beer?!

i've gone onto converted kegs for now but robinox pots are my end-game. life's too short to go cheap on your alloy of choice just to find it is tainting your beer (and health)....

you get what you pay for....

 

[browndog]

Hi Brewers,
I had a big day today, a double brew day and managed to get the stand for the new rig welded up.



things should start to move ahead a little quicker now.

cheers

Browndog

 

[Jye]

Yeah... it looks ok

 

[clean brewer]

Hi Brewers,
I had a big day today, a double brew day and managed to get the stand for the new rig welded up.

View attachment 27383

things should start to move ahead a little quicker now.

cheers
Browndog

Mate,

Have you used those pots yet? How you going with a boil on them? Ive still got my 80ltr sitting there waiting to be used..

:icon_cheers: CB

 

[TidalPete]

Hi Brewers,
I had a big day today, a double brew day and managed to get the stand for the new rig welded up.

View attachment 27383

things should start to move ahead a little quicker now.

cheers

Browndog

Looking good Tony. :super: I can't imagine all the improvements you've done to your brewery since I was there last?
BUT I will always remember that you have a 1/2" BSPF parallel button die that I can borrow if I need it. :lol: :icon_cheers:
Gotta have a beer together soon & trust your double batch will turn out as good as always.

TP

 

[Cocko]

Hi Brewers,
I had a big day today, a double brew day and managed to get the stand for the new rig welded up.

View attachment 27383

things should start to move ahead a little quicker now.

cheers

Browndog

I love you man..... [Wipes tear]

Awesome! :beer:

 

[NickB]

Looking bloody fantastic Tony!

Hope to catch up for a beer next time I'm down!

You heading to the mid-year swap??

Cheers

 

[browndog]

Hey CB, have not used the pots yet, it is going to be an all electric HERMs brewery with 2 X 3000W elements controlled by Sutronics Burst Fire Controllers in the kettle, a 2400W element with PID in the HLT and a 2400W element with PID in the Heat Exchanger. Pete the brewery is exactly how you remember it mate, there's nothing I could do to improve it. Nick, I wasn't planning on going to the mid year swap, but I'll try and put in an appearance. Just got a coat of matt black enamel on the frame, now I can mount the pump and chiller and start work on the S/S plumbing.

cheers

Browndog

 

[clean brewer]

Hey CB, have not used the pots yet, it is going to be an all electric HERMs brewery with 2 X 3000W elements controlled by Sutronics Burst Fire Controllers in the kettle, a 2400W element with PID in the HLT and a 2400W element with PID in the Heat Exchanger.

Will you have to insulate the pots even with the Electric Elements??

:icon_cheers: CB

 

[sqyre]

Just found this thread.. :blink:
Looking good Tony.. :icon_cheers: Can't wait to try a few tasty brews out of it..

Sqyre...