WTB: 40L urn for BIAB [MELB]

[mydogjet]

I am keen to give all grain brewing a go after about 10 partials, however I don't have a spare $300 for a new crown or birko 40l urn. Does anyone have a 40 L they no longer need that still works well. Cheers.

 

[tomdavis]

Sadly nothing I can offer in terms of hardware, however, I use one of these cheaper concealed element units to great effect:

http://www.nisbets.com.au/Buffalo-Manual-Fill-Water-Boiler-40Ltr/CC193-A/ProductDetail.raction

Good luck!

 

[Porkchop]

What state do you live in?

 

[mydogjet]

Carlos, thanks for the reply. Are they reputable. I know most home brewers use crown or birko urns. Does this one stack up?

Porkchop, I live in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

 

[Porkchop]

I'm using a cheap Chinese one and it's fine

 

[Porkchop]

I've just ordered a pot with a basket that sits in it. I'll let ya know how good it is a week or so when it gets here. I'd recommend getting a bask eject or something to make it easier to lift the grain out. Don't under estimate just how much of a pain in the ass it is to lift soaking wet hot grain.

 

[Rambo]

Carlos, thanks for the reply. Are they reputable. I know most home brewers use crown or birko urns. Does this one stack up?
Porkchop, I live in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

I've got a buffalo urn too and would recomend them. Only recently available in Australia but have been used in the uk for a while. There are a few discussions on here about their capabilities, and more info again on the uk forum.

 

[mydogjet]

I've got a buffalo urn too and would recomend them. Only recently available in Australia but have been used in the uk for a while. There are a few discussions on here about their capabilities, and more info again on the uk forum.

Thanks Rambo. This might be the winner if no one has one to offload.

 

[Bribie G]

If you go full volume BIAB, get yourself a skyhook and a double pulley system (not expensive). I'm constantly amazed by the number of people who say they stopped BIAB because of the hassle of lifting a bag of hot wet grain.

My system can be operated with one hand by a 80 year old female friend who has had a stroke. There are various configurations but a couple of awning pulleys and some clothesline will usually do the trick.

 

[mydogjet]

If you go full volume BIAB, get yourself a skyhook and a double pulley system (not expensive). I'm constantly amazed by the number of people who say they stopped BIAB because of the hassle of lifting a bag of hot wet grain.

My system can be operated with one hand by a 80 year old female friend who has had a stroke. There are various configurations but a couple of awning pulleys and some clothesline will usually do the trick.

Yeah, from what I've heard a pulley system is a must. Rigging that up will be half the fun....

 

[leighaus]

how heavy can a single batch be to lift out... assuming you place an electric urn on the ground...

Is everyone here weak as piss, am i really strong, or am I totally not getting the maths? I cant imagine it would be over 20 kgs?

 

[philmud]

how heavy can a single batch be to lift out... assuming you place an electric urn on the ground...

Is everyone here weak as piss, am i really strong, or am I totally not getting the maths? I cant imagine it would be over 20 kgs?

I lift it too, but it's a PITA to hold a heavy bag of hit grain while it drains & also makes it difficult to squeeze. I need to rig up a pulley.

 

[slcmorro]

I'm constantly amazed by the number of people who say they stopped BIAB because of the hassle of lifting a bag of hot wet grain.

+ 1 to this. It'd weigh 12kgs max usually, for a single batch. You'd probably hold more weight for longer with the groceries. I don't even use a pulley, just a 1 to 1 system of a nylon rope passed over a beam with a tie off point. I literally only hold the actual bag for maybe 5 seconds when I lift it (already tied) clear of my keggle, and then I take a loop of the nylon rope in one hand, and tie off to a cleat in the other. Simple as simple.

 

[going down a hill]

My system can be operated with one hand by a 80 year old female friend who has had a stroke.

You use an 80 year old lady who had a stroke as a brewing assistant? You're a badass Bribie.

 

[Porkchop]

Look for these pulleys. They lock themselves off so you don't have to tie it off.

Ronstan Series 40 Single Orbit Block becket, RF45131 Sailing Gear Pulleys
Or there is a piece of climbing gear called a Gri Gri. Which does the same but can also be used to lower the bag.

 

[mydogjet]

Look for these pulleys. They lock themselves off so you don't have to tie it off.

Ronstan Series 40 Single Orbit Block becket, RF45131 Sailing Gear Pulleys
Or there is a piece of climbing gear called a Gri Gri. Which does the same but can also be used to lower the bag.

I need an urn before I work out how I'm gonna get the grain out of it

Anyone????

 

[tomdavis]

Hey Jet,

Sorry, got caught up yesterday and couldn't reply.

Yep, they are good little units. There really isn't too much that can go wrong on them, but despite being concealed element, you will need to watch that the bottom part of it doesn't get caked in crud. This will cause the auto-cutoff to engage, and you will sit there wondering why you never get to a good boil.

This is simply a case of ensuring you clean the bottom well after EVERY brew.

Other than that, replace the plastic tap with a SS nice ball valve and you will have a cool little system that will last you for a few years.

 

[mydogjet]

Hey Jet,

Sorry, got caught up yesterday and couldn't reply.

Yep, they are good little units. There really isn't too much that can go wrong on them, but despite being concealed element, you will need to watch that the bottom part of it doesn't get caked in crud. This will cause the auto-cutoff to engage, and you will sit there wondering why you never get to a good boil.

This is simply a case of ensuring you clean the bottom well after EVERY brew.

Other than that, replace the plastic tap with a SS nice ball valve and you will have a cool little system that will last you for a few years.

Cheers Carlos. I will take this under consideration.