Looks like a have a new hobby "brewing"...

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Finally found the time to finish the brew stand so I can do some legit, all-grain brewing. I had some 1.5/0.120" DOM and went a different direction than most who build brew stands.

I built what is knows as a "HERMS" unit (Heat Exchanged Recirculating Mash System) where the mash temp is maintained by pumping it through the coil in the hot liquer tank. Its got 2 "bango" burners, food grade pump, all stainless that touches the wort. Now, I can brew 10g batches, double the yield, same time investment.

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The HLT...

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50 feet of 1/2" SS tubing coiled in HLT for heat/cold exchanging...
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Fire, Fire, Fire...I made the wind guard so I could adjust the distance between the burner and bottom of the tank...
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Propane manifold, valves and burners...
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The mash tun...
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I've run a couple test boils, ran a test batch through the pump, coils and hoses, all is good. The plan is to hit the homebrew store tomorrow for some fresh grain and hops for a nice, summer IPA...:beer:
 
So are you taking orders to duplicate that thing :idea:


Oh yeah want to sell that car in the back ground :hillbilly:
 
I like the quick disconnects! Looks a lot like some of the equipment I use for insulin formulation. Except out largest tank is 3000L....


Looks like you can CIP/SIP those tanks also.

Lingo for Clean in Place and Sterilize in Place....
 
That is so awesome on so many levels. Did you build it from scratch, or is it a kit that you added onto?
 
Pure awesomeness - IPA time!!!! Can't wait to sample. Now, when you gonna' need some help on an axle swap since this project appears to be in the books??

:beer: R
 
lt1fire said:
So are you taking orders to duplicate that thing :idea:


Oh yeah want to sell that car in the back ground :hillbilly:
Click to expand...

Considering taking a bid to make the same but in 1.5x1.5x0.120" square stock. I've got to figure out the time I spent to see if its something I can make any $$$ building one...

GarnerFJ40 said:
I like the quick disconnects! Looks a lot like some of the equipment I use for insulin formulation. Except out largest tank is 3000L....


Looks like you can CIP/SIP those tanks also.

Lingo for Clean in Place and Sterilize in Place....
Click to expand...

I used the shop vac to suck out all the grain, flushed them with the left over water in the HLT from doing the cooling...

Yukon LX said:
That is so awesome on so many levels. Did you build it from scratch, or is it a kit that you added onto?
Click to expand...

I'd say scratch is a fair statement. I got frustrated and wasted a bunch of time, being stubborn wanting to TIG weld the parts in converting the kegs to "keggles". I could have spent 3x for the "weldless" parts but spent at least that in Argon for the TIG welder. By the 3rd keggle and after 11 bulkheads, feeling much better about feathering from the heavy material of the bulkhead to the thin skin of the keg.

But, thanks, a fun project that just lasted too long to complete...

mtweller said:
Pure awesomeness - IPA time!!!! Can't wait to sample. Now, when you gonna' need some help on an axle swap since this project appears to be in the books??

:beer: R
Click to expand...

You got it, the project list has at least one knocked off. I've reposessed the 80 from Brianna, today was her last obligation @ Green Hope other than the graduation practice and ceremony. It gets parked into the "work-in-progress" spot of the driveway.

I can't wait to taste this brew, US 2-row & UK Maris Otter grains, Magnum, Cascade, Simcoe and Amarillo hops = 97.7 IBU...
 
Mtbcoach said:
I can't wait to taste this brew, US 2-row & UK Maris Otter grains, Magnum, Cascade, Simcoe and Amarillo hops = 97.7 IBU...
Click to expand...

Mmmmmm, sounds delicious:D
 
I tasted the IPA today after I checked the final gravity after 6 days of dry hopping. Looks like its finished and tomorrow I'll need to be putting the finished IPA in the kegs and start CO2 conditioning.

Had to build something to keep the kegs in, holds 5 5g kegs, 10 lb CO2 tank on 3 taps...

(Updated pics) All complete, I hardwired the temp controller into the unit so that it comes on when plugged in and the controller is wired after the freezer thermostat so that it turns the cooling on/off directly at the AC pump...
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I used chalkboard paint along the front bezel so that I could label what was in each tap easily...
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I hoard cardboard, had this leftover from the H55 delivery, fits perfectly on the lip of the freezer so that I can store all the pint glasses in the same place as the beer...
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When can I move in?

:beer: R
 
If you put this much effort into your 45, it'd be done by now :flipoff2:

As usual, I'm very jealous man, good work:clap:
 
Thanks for the feedback, I'll take some pics in the daylight to show it better.

Johnny, yes, I've got to clear the queue on the project list to get down to the 45. I've got to finish Brian's cooler carrier then I can focus on the axle swap on the 80, then on to the 45 assuming more things don't get piled onto the list before then...
 
Mtbcoach said:
Thanks for the feedback, I'll take some pics in the daylight to show it better.

Johnny, yes, I've got to clear the queue on the project list to get down to the 45. I've got to finish Brian's cooler carrier then I can focus on the axle swap on the 80, then on to the 45 assuming more things don't get piled onto the list before then...
Click to expand...

I hear you there, projects on top of projects. Moonshine's list has been put off for the same reason.

When you're ready, let us know and we'll do what we can to help with the axle swap or anything with the 45.:cheers:
 
I sympathize on the "too many projects" thing. Building a 40'x3' rock wall in the front yard. I follow the shade to the next project throughout the day. Got my '74 Triumph Spitfire awoken from its winter sleep then blew some electrics that I'm franticly trying to replace/upgrade, and my 40 makes a clicking sound from the transfer case. My pipe dream is that it's just a boot rivet head that's fallen into the housing... Fluid was a little low but there wasn't much junk on the magnet drain plug. Also have a room full of guitars that need service - some for other people's $$$. At least my slow time of year is about here. And just bought a new stereo to put into a work van - my guys will kill me if I wait too much longer on that one.

Nice beer stuff, Jerry. Go big or go home!
--john
 
this is a drinking problem on a ridiculously awesome level. Really cool stuff!!
 
Jerry dont feel bad, it only took me a little over a year and a half to complete the 80 engine project. In the meantime all kinds of things happened....
 
I updated the pics, its all complete. I had to put some insulation on the inside of the wood to eliminate any sweating on the outside. I also used a heavy duty piece of cardboard to make a shelf to store the glasses on, keeping the critical components in the same place...beer and glasses.

I put the finished beer on the gas last night after sterilizing the kegs, hoses and taps. I doing what is know as "burst" carbing or "forced" carbing. This should allow me to pull a pint in the next day or so, having it close to proper carbonation faster than traditional carbing that can take weeks.

Hoping to enjoy another batch of the homebrew in the coming days...:beer:
 
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