Bigger and Better

[HellsWintr]

oh, i forgot to say that i'll be using this as a heat source http://www.bayouclassicdepot.com/kab6-k ... r-plus.htm Thanks to NIN. The cinder prolly wont get direct flame.... but always safe to ask the wise men (that's you guys )

[myles]

Just use fire bricks instead of the cinder blocks. If they are good enough for kilns and forges then they are good for a still base.

[NineInchNails]

You could just keep it simple in the beginning and use cement blocks. Check out what these guys are doing on this page: http://milkwood.net/2010/11/02/bioferti ... focalcico/

I've seen pics of people using blocks to support a 55 gal drum with a Bayou Classic burner underneath. I'm searching around to find some, but now I can't find any. The blocks shown in the pic above look a lot more solid than the typical CMU foundation blocks. You can find solid concrete blocks real cheap, but they are smaller and you'll just need more of them.

[GuyFawkes]

Fire blocks or bricks. If you have even just heard rumors about something not being safe, it's usually a good idea to just err on the side of caution. After all, you're boiling something as flammable as gasoline over an open propane burner.... I would use fire blocks

[HellsWintr]

yeah, i will for sure.

[HellsWintr]

Hey guys, with this still, i was thinking of running 30 ft of 3/4 for worm. That should be enough you think?

[HellsWintr]

was also thinking of turning a 55 gallon plastic drum into a worm barrel, i was wondering if it would be better to use a 45 gallon trash can with wheels like in the restaurants. I might be able to get em cheap. I'll have to fashion to wheels for that 55 gallon drum. I was going to put a copper union in the line right before the worm that way i could unhook it and wheel the worm bucket away. Just kinda thinking out loud and wondering what you guys think. Thanks in advance for the replies.

[rad14701]

i was wondering if it would be better to use a 45 gallon trash can with wheels like in the restaurants.

Several members use Brute trash cans as fermenters... I've used several brands and sizes over the years and have even used other containers with trash bag liners in them... Made a lot of wine in trash bags years ago...

[NineInchNails]

was also thinking of turning a 55 gallon plastic drum into a worm barrel, i was wondering if it would be better to use a 45 gallon trash can with wheels like in the restaurants. I might be able to get em cheap. I'll have to fashion to wheels for that 55 gallon drum. I was going to put a copper union in the line right before the worm that way i could unhook it and wheel the worm bucket away. Just kinda thinking out loud and wondering what you guys think. Thanks in advance for the replies.

I'm not sure about the diameter of the work, but it sounds fine to me. I use a 3/4" liebig so I don't know why a 3/4" worm wouldn't work. Using a union just before the worm would likely be ideal.

You can order a barrel dolly online from anywhere around $35-$85. If you're feeling froggy you could construct a dolly using 2x4s and a scrap piece of plywood. I made two dollies that way using casters from Harbor Freight. You would want 2 straight casters and 2 swivel casters for it to be easily moved. I tried using 4 swivel casters and that didn't work well. The larger the casters the easier it will roll over most surfaces and less sensitive to imperfections/crud on the floor. I believe I used 4" casters.

If you search around you can find plastic drums of different sizes locally if you think you might want a smaller one. I like plastic drums because they're damn near indestructible and easy to plumb through.

[GuyFawkes]

If I were you, I would go with the largest container possible. More water = more cooling, that way you know you won't need to recirculate water no matter how hard the run. It's just peace of mind I guess.

And like NIN said, you can always fashion a cheap dolly to cart around the larger container, four chunks of 2x4 and four (or more--more is usually better ) dolly wheels would be cheap and easy. Also, I would recommend adding a flexible pipe connection (they sell them in both SS and copper) between the output column and your coil, that way you have 2 separate pieces when you need to take it apart for storage or cleaning and varying heights won't be an issue in case you need to shift things around even during a run (things come up).

[myles]

was also thinking of turning a 55 gallon plastic drum into a worm barrel, i was wondering if it would be better to use a 45 gallon trash can with wheels like in the restaurants. I might be able to get em cheap. I'll have to fashion to wheels for that 55 gallon drum. I was going to put a copper union in the line right before the worm that way i could unhook it and wheel the worm bucket away. Just kinda thinking out loud and wondering what you guys think. Thanks in advance for the replies.

Are you working on a hard flat surface like concrete. Trying to move even a 45 gallon drum over an uneven surface will be hard work. Why the worm at all, if you can pump the water then you are probably better off with an alternative condenser. I know a lot of folks jump at a worm, but they are really most suitable for situations with no water flow. The moment you start circulating the water you have turned it into a Graham and might as well put it in the smallest container it will fit into.

My large tripple coil worm - 3 parallel coils



started off life in a 160 litre drum, but now lives in a smaller one with slowly circulating water.



I designed this for 16kW but with circulating water it will cope with a lot more. The right hand "liebig style" connector is for the coolant. In through the outer path (to the bottom of the drum) with waste hot water removed from the top surface via an extension to the inner path. Circulate the water at the speed you need to maintain a temperature gradient between the top and bottom of the drum.

[HellsWintr]

Damn that worm is sexy man!!!!