TheWiggman
Haters' gonna hate
I've done a fair bit of trolling about and like all forums, there's so much here that it's a little daunting. If there's stuff already out there please direct me accordingly.
I've done plenty of kit stuff in the past and read up on all grain, as well as done a BIAB with a mate so I know where I'm at. I want (NEED) to go all grain brewing and have some expensive gear in my possession that I want to utilise for temperature control. I also have a busted 19l Cornelius keg that looks like someone dropped it from a great height on its handle, so the body is bent and the lid won't seal. It's otherwise ok. My intentions are -
19l Cornelius - HLT with single vertical heating element. Copper coil heat exchanger wrapped around the element. I'll make a frame around the base to allow for the element and also put a tap on the bottom.
40l stainless pot - mash tun. Single tap coming out the bottom using braided stainless hose to filter. 12V recirculating pump which will run through the HLT.
Boiler - undecided. The mate who did the BIAB has a 40l urn so I can use that until I have spare coin or come across a good opportunity.
I have 2 Jap made PID heating controllers which are the duck's nuts and worth around $400 each. I intend to put the thermocouple/RTD on the return line to the mash tun so I can do a multi-staged brew.
I understand that going complicated off the cuff for these things is not recommended but I know that one day I'll want to step up, and I'd rather commit now and go the whole hog. If I want to expand the system in the future then I think this is simple enough to learn from and basically do any brew on the small scale. I figure that I can step up my temps to the final resting stage in the 70's, then the HLT will have water in it spot on for sparging.
I have a fridge which an adjustable thermostat on it, which I use for fermenting and conditioning.
I was after some specific advice from the gurus who have been through it all and am open to any feedback. Specifically I'd like to know the following -
I've done plenty of kit stuff in the past and read up on all grain, as well as done a BIAB with a mate so I know where I'm at. I want (NEED) to go all grain brewing and have some expensive gear in my possession that I want to utilise for temperature control. I also have a busted 19l Cornelius keg that looks like someone dropped it from a great height on its handle, so the body is bent and the lid won't seal. It's otherwise ok. My intentions are -
19l Cornelius - HLT with single vertical heating element. Copper coil heat exchanger wrapped around the element. I'll make a frame around the base to allow for the element and also put a tap on the bottom.
40l stainless pot - mash tun. Single tap coming out the bottom using braided stainless hose to filter. 12V recirculating pump which will run through the HLT.
Boiler - undecided. The mate who did the BIAB has a 40l urn so I can use that until I have spare coin or come across a good opportunity.
I have 2 Jap made PID heating controllers which are the duck's nuts and worth around $400 each. I intend to put the thermocouple/RTD on the return line to the mash tun so I can do a multi-staged brew.
I understand that going complicated off the cuff for these things is not recommended but I know that one day I'll want to step up, and I'd rather commit now and go the whole hog. If I want to expand the system in the future then I think this is simple enough to learn from and basically do any brew on the small scale. I figure that I can step up my temps to the final resting stage in the 70's, then the HLT will have water in it spot on for sparging.
I have a fridge which an adjustable thermostat on it, which I use for fermenting and conditioning.
I was after some specific advice from the gurus who have been through it all and am open to any feedback. Specifically I'd like to know the following -
- Does anyone know about these pots on eBay? 50 + 45l for $120 is a bargain. Otherwise I was going to go for this.
- Has anyone converted a 19l keg into a HLT or RIMS/HERMS system before? If so, tell me all about it.
- Are those brown pumps worth their salt? i.e. am I going to buy it and straight away wish I had spent the extra $35?