Malt Pipes

[VP Brewing]

I cut slits in my 56L cheapo pot with a 4 inch grinder. It's fairly rigid. I've done a few big beers in it without a problem.
The only time I've had a problem with flow was when brewing a RIS but that was more to do with the amount of roasted grains in there.
I can direct the flow beside the malt pipe if needed and normally do at mash in.

 

[Lyrebird_Cycles]

LC, why do the quadrant cutout with separate drop-in false bottom? Isn't that just producing more fiddly stuff to clean, or did you accidentally slip cutting your slots and then decide "actually I think I'll just cut out quadrants and drop in the base screen"? [emoji6]

Basically resistance to deformation: The quadrant keeps the bottom of the pipe round so the false bottom seats properly.

The separate false bottom is there because I can't cut slots of the size I want (0.6mm).

Sorry for the lack of pics, I'm flat chat preparing for vintage. We'll start picking next week so I have no spare time for the next two months.

 

[nosco]

So does any grain get through the malt pipes or doesn't it matter? If it gets through does it get recirculated by the pump or does it stay in the boil?

Using a grinder to cut some slots would be really quick and easy but I think im liking Lyrebird_Cycles idea. Silicone tape is a great invention. It could also be used to make a defuser mesh to go over the top of the mash like in a GF or other type 1v machine.

 

[ein stein]

I bought a robobrew malt pipe from keg king after emailing them. ended up cheaper after cost of cooking pot and tools etc and will do the job... for now,

 

[Lyrebird_Cycles]

So does any grain get through the malt pipes or doesn't it matter? If it gets through does it get recirculated by the pump or does it stay in the boil?

The object of forerunning (vorlauf in German) is to establish a filter bed which traps remnant grain particles. The clearer the runnings the cleaner the beer.

For this to work optimally the slots should be thin enough to trap the larger particles: I've found 0.6mm works OK.

Using a grinder to cut some slots would be really quick and easy

IMO you can't cut a thin enough slot with an angle grinder. On one of the small scale prototypes for my lautering system I used a Dremel with "thin cut" wheels, I got mediocre results and cutting the slots in a 100mm diameter base used an entire packet of the cutting wheels. A 380mm base would thus use 15 packets.

 

[nosco]

Thanks LC. Im familiar with the term vorlauf but as Im a biaber Im not familiar with the process. I can see how it works with a 3v system but how would it work with a 1v malt pipe system? Even if you dropped the pipe into the strike water, after stirring for dough balls there would have to be some grains and husk that gets through? Especially since with a malt pipe there is the free space below the malt pipe. Does forerunning just involve a few run offs with a jug to establish the grain bed before using a recirc pump?

Sorry if im getting ot.

 

[Lyrebird_Cycles]

I've never run a 1V system so I'm not the person to ask, but I can't see why you couldn't recirculate via pump until your wort clarified then begin lifting the pipe. There may be something I'm missing.

 

[nosco]

Your not missing anything LC I think I am just over thinking it. So what are you making you false bottom from .ie how are you getting .6mm gaps? I can only find 2mm perforated stainless.


Edit: Have you posted pics of your malt pipe in another thread?

 

[Lyrebird_Cycles]

No sorry, everything is packed away until after vintage: I'm planning to then make a 380mm diameter all stainless version and hopefully I'll remember to take build pics.

 

[rude]

I bought a robobrew malt pipe from keg king after emailing them. ended up cheaper after cost of cooking pot and tools etc and will do the job... for now,

Nice one

If you dont mind me asking how much & what dimensions was it

Did it come with perforated ss false bottom & top

Cheers Rude

 

[Lionman]

I bought a robobrew malt pipe from keg king after emailing them. ended up cheaper after cost of cooking pot and tools etc and will do the job... for now,

Nice one, I'm interested in the price too and what exactly you got with it.

 

[ein stein]

Nice one

If you dont mind me asking how much & what dimensions was it

Did it come with perforated ss false bottom & top

Cheers Rude

It was just one of the 1st gen ones, was 60$ plus delivery to syd. dimensions are ~ 250mm x 440mm. its all one piece with the bottom fixed. the holes are 2mm i believe, i have a 2$ kmart splatter guard i may trim to sit in the bottom.

edit:

i did see a guy selling them on fleabay also. 69$ + 19$ p+h

 

[fdsaasdf]

Could I please trouble you both with a few pics? I'm planning mine, have all the bits, just need to plan out prior to build.

I have posted pics in http://aussiehomebrewer.com/topic/93681-brew-in-a-basket-82l-pot-with-56l-malt-pipe/page-3 if you'd like to see it

 

[nosco]

Any one using stainless mesh for their malt pipes? Just wondering what mesh count would be good to use that will be a good filter but wont block the flow of wort too much. Lyrebird_Cycles, Im looking at you

I have just ordered a cheap ebay pot for a malt pipe and I think I am going to go with a 2mm perforated screen and some stainless mesh ie budget Braumeister idea. Maybe top and bottom. Quarters cut out as described by Lyrebird_Cycles with a short nut and bolt in the middle to hold the screens down and 4 long nut and bolt for legs.

Also now that I think of it how the hell do you cut a hole in fine stainless mesh to put a bolt through?

 

[hotmelt]

Basically resistance to deformation: The quadrant keeps the bottom of the pipe round so the false bottom seats properly.

The separate false bottom is there because I can't cut slots of the size I want (0.6mm).

What if you used two pieces of perf sheet with one on top of the other but offset to reduce the hole size.They could be silver soldered/welded together then cut to size.It might be expensive but would save time spent cutting and drilling.

 

[Matplat]

So does any grain get through the malt pipes or doesn't it matter? If it gets through does it get recirculated by the pump or does it stay in the boil?

Using a grinder to cut some slots would be really quick and easy but I think im liking Lyrebird_Cycles idea. Silicone tape is a great invention. It could also be used to make a defuser mesh to go over the top of the mash like in a GF or other type 1v machine.

I used a 1mm cutting disc on the grinder to cut the slots on my 1V, as you are recirculating constantly during the mash, you end up with ultra clear wort at the end. Any bits that do mate their way through the slots at the beginning quickly get filtered out by the grain bed.

 

[nosco]

Sounds good. It will be heaps cheaper and easier too.

 

[rude]

It was just one of the 1st gen ones, was 60$ plus delivery to syd. dimensions are ~ 250mm x 440mm. its all one piece with the bottom fixed. the holes are 2mm i believe, i have a 2$ kmart splatter guard i may trim to sit in the bottom.

edit:

i did see a guy selling them on fleabay also. 69$ + 19$ p+h

Hey thanks for the update nice one

Quite small dia & tall perfect

What dia pot size do you use for the main 1V for this malt pipe

Cheers mate

 

[ein stein]

I will just be using it with my crown 40L urn, I've been pretty busy lately so haven't even had a chance to use it yet.