old brewing equipment

[likker liker]

My old brewing stuff, I moved some of the stuff out side to clean and it I thought you might want to see it. I haven't used it for quite some time.

[Jimbo]

Nice gear! I have 3 of those blue barrels, they're nice.

[Danespirit]

Damned..! That's some pretty stuff you have there..

[still_stirrin]

Potato boilers make great mash tuns....is that how you used them? With the steam jackets, they also work as kettle(s) too. Great stuff.

I love the stainless sink...I wish it was mine!
ss

[likker liker]

Yep steam heated mash tun. the steam generator I built at the time was not able to boil that large of a batch.

[likker liker]

Here's two more pictures, I built this system over 15 years ago and my first time using hot water tank heaters so I've come a long ways with the new equipment I use to day.
the hot likker tank holds 55gl and the mash tun 45gl.

[bearriver]

Oh man... That's some nice gear. Are you going to setup a designated place to start using them? They are perfect for this hobby.

[likker liker]

Potato boilers make great mash tuns....is that how you used them? With the steam jackets, they also work as kettle(s) too. Great stuff.

I love the stainless sink...I wish it was mine!
ss

I found the sink and the two kettles one day in a scrap steel yard. just about fell over when the guy said he'd sale them to me at scrap steel price but they were to big for his scale, so how about $150.00

[likker liker]

Oh man... That's some nice gear. Are you going to setup a designated place to start using them? They are perfect for this hobby.

old retired now, I've updated

[likker liker]

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 9#p7323963
molly is still playing in the hop back

[Jimbo]

You guys are killing me with all this steam talk. I WANT STEAM. With all the fruit musts I do and fermenting on the grain, and the stupid simple flour mashes etc etc steam would be great. Any of you ever spring for a used boiler like this? Im about to pull the trigger but need to sit down with our resident plumber guru WIndy first and get his advice...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CROWN-AWI095ENS ... 7912&rt=nc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[bearriver]

Jimbo, I've seen units like that on CL for under $100. I got my NG furnace off CL for $200 and it has worked great for years so far.

I just checked my area and sure enough there is a boiler for $125. Natural gas, 90%+. Installation would cost a lot more than that. My gas guy always has free time in the summer and fortunately takes trade (edit: not liquor for the record).

[Jimbo]

Thanks Bear. Ya I didnt mean that one in particular, just a boiler in general, plumbed in the traditional sense, closed loop, not pumping steam into the mash but into a jacket or coils in the mash. Problem Im finding tho is to heat a 25g max size boiler (us here on HD) need a really small boiler, like 50K BTU or 75K if running a boiler and a mash tank in parallel. Most boilers are much bigger and would short cycle themselves to death driving such a small load. Anyway, Im researching, and heading to Windys after work to get a cranium full of knowledge on options. Windys got some great ideas on building a closed loop hot water system with the same electric elements and controllers we use in our boilers now. Ill prolly go that route. Anyway,.... didnt mean to hijack this thread. Those potato cookers are tits.

[likker liker]

Jumbo, no worries here

[DFitz]

I have a boiler similar to yours that I'm getting ready to modify. I've had the elements for a while now and have recently received the ferrule assemblies. I'll cut and install these ferrules into the jacket and drill the caps to accept the elements.The elements are 3Kw and fit well into a 6" ferrule. I'll always be able to remove and replace the elements using this modification. I'll use 4 of these elements w/oil to heat my boiler. For a quicker heat up I'm also considering steam injection.




Lately I've been bouncing back and forth between building brewery and still components. Eventually I''ll finish both but at the moment it seems I'm in no rush in this endeavor.

[likker liker]

I have a boiler similar to yours that I'm getting ready to modify. I've had the elements for a while now and have recently received the ferrule assemblies. I'll cut and install these ferrules into the jacket and drill the caps to accept the elements.The elements are 3Kw and fit well into a 6" ferrule. I'll always be able to remove and replace the elements using this modification. I'll use 4 of these elements w/oil to heat my boiler. For a quicker heat up I'm also considering steam injection.




Lately I've been bouncing back and forth between building brewery and still components. Eventually I''ll finish both but at the moment it seems I'm in no rush in this endeavor.

I think the steam is the much better way to go. I've done it both ways and the steam out preforms the heating elements

[DFitz]

I've considered steam for quite a while before settling on an oil medium. In the end temperature control was the deciding factor.

[still_stirrin]

Yes....steam. 15psi steam is 250F, with tons of latent heat capacity. It'll bring a kettle to boil lickity-split! Need a condensate return and a pump for closed loop operation tho. Well worth the investment.
ss