133 replies to this topic

[3rd party JKor]

Maybe I missed it earlier in the thread, but what is the goal of the system?  

[positiveContact]

Maybe I missed it earlier in the thread, but what is the goal of the system?  

 

I pretty much just want a single element in my kettle.  I'll have to do a no weld fitting of some kind.  goal is to not use propane anymore.

[matt6150]

I pretty much just want a single element in my kettle. I'll have to do a no weld fitting of some kind. goal is to not use propane anymore.

This is kinda what I was getting at. Single element in brew kettle and also use that to heat strike water? What about mash tun? Doing a bag thing in BK? Pumps of any kind? Timer or other meters in panel? I may have some parts for you that I have left over.

[positiveContact]

I don't currently heat my mt and I use gravity so no pumps right now. It's a pretty boring setup lol

[positiveContact]

I heat strike water in my bk and drain into mt. I heat sparge water in a smaller kettle on the kitchen and just dump it in because it's usually under a few gallons.

I move the bk from a higher location to a lower location when I drain the MT.

[matt6150]

Sounds exactly what I used to do. You could put a element in your smaller kettle as well and just swap the cords between the 2 keeping the cost down. I would get a panel a little bigger than you might need now. You never know if you will want to add things.

[positiveContact]

when you say panel are you talking about the housing for the control unit?  I don't see an issue with oversizing that for possible future expansion.  Would I just be mounting this thing on the wall or something?

[positiveContact]

just a reminder of the space I'm working with.  This is essentially step 1 (heat strike water on that burner) and step 2 (mashing in the other kettle right where it's sitting on the counter).  Step 3 where I drain the MT I move that burner and kettle to the floor.  Step 4 I drain through a long piece of half inch ID tubing to the basement fermentor.

 

Edited by Mando, 09 May 2020 - 05:27 AM.

[positiveContact]

I was thinking of putting the outlet and control unit on the wall right behind where the kettle on the burner is.

[matt6150]

Yes I was talking about the panel where you would house whatever you are controlling the element with. I would mount it on the wall, I used a TV mount. Have you thought about just moving this whole operation to the basement?

[positiveContact]

Drez reminds me often LOL!

 

The thought of getting set up down there is too overwhelming.  I'd have to start over nearly entirely.  I have no sink, no drain, no ventilation.  I'd probably have to acquire a pump because I wouldn't have the vertical space to use gravity.  it's just too much.

[matt6150]

Well maybe some day. I would kill to have a basement.

[positiveContact]

Well maybe some day. I would kill to have a basement.

 

I don't really mind doing it in the garage.  It's also kind of like being outside if I open the doors up.

[matt6150]

I hear ya on being outside. I essentially am as well. But having everything in one spot would be nice. And climate control for the middle of summer and winter brews.

[positiveContact]

I hear ya on being outside. I essentially am as well. But having everything in one spot would be nice. And climate control for the middle of summer and winter brews.

 

with the doors closed it actually gets pretty warm out there in the winter.  maybe that wouldn't happen with electric

 

I generally am too busy to brew for the 2-3 hottest months in the summer anyway so I usually don't.  maybe one batch if I really need to.

[matt6150]

Much cooler and quieter with electric!

[3rd party JKor]

These came in the mail today (I feel like "the mail" should start being called "teh Amazon").  These come in teh Amazon today...

 

[positiveContact]

same company that makes the nice temp controllers?

[3rd party JKor]

Yup, same one.  

 

I'm putting together a system based on the BruControl front end (uses an Arduino Mega 2560 for interfacing).  It's a 3g two vessel (for now) system.

[positiveContact]

Fancy.