Search found 82 matches

by jimmayhugh
Wed Apr 27, 2022 11:07 am
Forum: What Not To Use/Do
Topic: Not all stainless is the same
Replies: 24
Views: 6157

Re: Not all stainless is the same

Bar Keeper's Friend is great for cleaning and re-passivating 304 and 316 stainless kegs, kettles and accessories. The oxalic acid is fast working, and I've used it for years on my brewing equipment. Can you explain your cleaning process? I’ve got a grip of BKF and would love to upkeep my stainless ...
by jimmayhugh
Tue Mar 16, 2021 1:36 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: All DME wash
Replies: 19
Views: 3208

Re: All DME wash

I've done both DME and LME washes with very good results. I also like the fact that the wash can be made without boiling the wash. I usually just put the water in my fermenter, a 15.5 gal SS keg that has a 4" TC opening, wrap my PBL30 heating blanket around it, and set the Jonhson controller t...
by jimmayhugh
Wed Mar 03, 2021 3:28 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: All DME wash
Replies: 19
Views: 3208

Re: All DME wash

I've done both DME and LME washes with very good results. I also like the fact that the wash can be made without boiling the wash. I usually just put the water in my fermenter, a 15.5 gal SS keg that has a 4" TC opening, wrap my PBL30 heating blanket around it, and set the Jonhson controller to...
by jimmayhugh
Tue Mar 02, 2021 5:54 am
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Useful Calculator for pot volume Cubic Centimeter ( CC ) to liters.
Replies: 10
Views: 1311

Re: Useful Calculator for pot volume Cubic Centimeter ( CC ) to liters.

No rocket scientist, I just remember the classic formulas from my schoolin', not to mention that most of the info posted on the 'net when you look it up uses radius squared... There's more than one way to do the calculation. For instance, if the "divide" key is broken on your calculator, a...
by jimmayhugh
Mon Mar 01, 2021 4:20 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Useful Calculator for pot volume Cubic Centimeter ( CC ) to liters.
Replies: 10
Views: 1311

Re: Useful Calculator for pot volume Cubic Centimeter ( CC ) to liters.

Calculating the volume of a cylinder Volume = (pi x D x D / 4) x height So, a 2.5cm diameter cylinder that has 10cm of liquid, the volume is: —> V = (3.14157 x 2.5 x 2.5 / 4) x 10 = 4.9087 x 10 = 49.09 cc (or ml) And, of course, that is 0.049 liters. ss You can also do pi times the RADIUS squared t...
by jimmayhugh
Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:44 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: My latest configuration, and an interesting result.
Replies: 4
Views: 834

Re: My latest configuration, and an interesting result.

its a interesting setup , I understand that the fans are for an air condenser so I get that bit . I have not seen a sightglass to the side of a keg still posted here yet though , this is interesting to me because I want to do something similar just so I can fill up my boiler to the maximum safe amo...
by jimmayhugh
Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:29 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: My latest configuration, and an interesting result.
Replies: 4
Views: 834

Re: My latest configuration, and an interesting result.

It seems that some parts of the wash have risen in the sight glass. If they were just oils I think they would float on the surface, I think there are fatty / heavy substances that tend to decant. Was it a cereal wash?Now that I've seen the first photo better, is this sediment in your lower level gl...
by jimmayhugh
Sun Feb 14, 2021 3:57 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: My latest configuration, and an interesting result.
Replies: 4
Views: 834

My latest configuration, and an interesting result.

My latest setup: 20210214_Still_360x640.png I was running an LME barley/rye wash at about 10% ABV. Once the run started, I noticed something peculiar in the sight glass: 20210214_1_640x360.png At the end of the run, the sight glass looked like this: 20210214_5_360x640.png It appears to be about 50ml...
by jimmayhugh
Sat Jan 23, 2021 4:36 am
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: My latest attempt at (mostly) air cooling...
Replies: 7
Views: 1333

Re: My latest attempt at (mostly) air cooling...

I can't find it now, but I saw a thread where someone made an air cooled condenser using something like this hydronic baseboard element: heater element.PNG He said he'd never go back to water cooling. I thought about cutting this 4' element in half and removing a few fins near the cut, then making ...
by jimmayhugh
Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:48 am
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: My latest attempt at (mostly) air cooling...
Replies: 7
Views: 1333

Re: My latest attempt at (mostly) air cooling...

I've never rated an air cooler but I like the idea .. One question: you put a set of fans (per pc) inside the full length of the outlet tube, right? With a view to "energy saving and amperage" I would think of a single fan at the bottom and the hot air outlet at the top, the product tube ...
by jimmayhugh
Thu Jan 21, 2021 7:57 am
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: My latest attempt at (mostly) air cooling...
Replies: 7
Views: 1333

Re: My latest attempt at (mostly) air cooling...

Nice looking VM build :thumbup: That's the first time I've seen a boiler level sight gauge like that Since it's a VM with a valve, is there a vent :?: Yeah, the cooling coil (horizontal dephleg??) has a vent built-in. Running a test with just water today to check for leaks, and make sure the vent w...
by jimmayhugh
Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:15 pm
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: My latest attempt at (mostly) air cooling...
Replies: 7
Views: 1333

My latest attempt at (mostly) air cooling...

Since I completely retired at the end of 2020, I now have more time to get back to things. Also since I live in the desert, and don't have ready access to a drain, I'm interested in air-cooling. My last attempt was a pot-still/thumper/swamp-cooled version that worked pretty well. This time I'm going...
by jimmayhugh
Fri Oct 02, 2020 11:36 am
Forum: Mashing, fermenting, flavoring and aging related hardware
Topic: How to transfer high proof
Replies: 14
Views: 2572

Re: How to transfer high proof

I use sanke kegs for just about everything. If I want to transfer from one to another, I can use my silver-soldered downcomer along with a triclamp tee to transfer liquids using compressed air. Since I've also done something similar with CSST , I could probably come up with a solution that way as we...
by jimmayhugh
Sun Sep 20, 2020 10:25 am
Forum: Mashing, fermenting, flavoring and aging related hardware
Topic: Fermenting under pressure
Replies: 3
Views: 862

Fermenting under pressure

I use a Brite tank and spunding valve when I'm making IPAs as it allows me to ferment under a wider temperature range while keeping unwanted esters to a minimum. I searched the site and didn't see a similar topic as it applies to this hobby, so I thought I'd bring it up. It seems to me that if you a...
by jimmayhugh
Fri Aug 28, 2020 3:49 pm
Forum: Boilers
Topic: Can Propane Burner Damage A Tri-Clamp And A Solder Joing on the side??
Replies: 4
Views: 1074

Re: Can Propane Burner Damage A Tri-Clamp And A Solder Joing on the side??

The concept is the same as boiling water in a paper cup over an open flame.

As long as the water level is above the flame level, the water will convect the heat away as steam, and the container will remain at or near the boiling point of water, which of course varies with alititude.
by jimmayhugh
Sun Aug 09, 2020 11:23 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Silver Soldering tri-clamp ferrules to CSST
Replies: 9
Views: 1960

Silver Soldering tri-clamp ferrules to CSST

I don't have an indoor workshop, so when I'm working on a project it's usually on a makeshift table using sawhorses and a table top I made out of 2x4s and 1/2" particle board. I also have to set it up on the side of my house away from the dogs, especially when I'm using materials that may be to...
by jimmayhugh
Sat Jul 25, 2020 9:56 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: small ferrrules
Replies: 7
Views: 1290

Re: small ferrrules

Two possibilities:

NorCal Brewing has 1.5" caps with a 1/2" hole drilled into it. I've used these with copper pipe before.

Brewers hardware has these
by jimmayhugh
Tue Jul 21, 2020 12:53 pm
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: Who here makes RTD Sensors?
Replies: 13
Views: 1762

Re: Who here makes RTD Sensors?

A quick check at Digikey shows them at $3.43 unit quantity, plus shipping (usually about $10).

Once you include wire, tape, etc, plus your time to make them, I question if it's cheaper...
by jimmayhugh
Mon Jul 20, 2020 9:50 am
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: Who here makes RTD Sensors?
Replies: 13
Views: 1762

Re: Who here makes RTD Sensors?

Adafruit normally sells both PT100 and PT1000 3-wire probes, but it looks like they are currently out of stock. Are you looking for PT100 or PT1000 probes? Are they inserted into a thermowell, or and integral part of a TC or NTP probe? Or are you looking for just the sensor and you'll add the wiring?
by jimmayhugh
Thu Apr 16, 2020 12:33 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: transferring high abv alcohol - electric pump?
Replies: 19
Views: 4715

Re: transferring high abv alcohol - electric pump?

There are a couple of seals in the gas and liquid tubes but those are typically silicone. And they don't come in contact with the alcohol. And even the racetrack gasket doesn't contact the liquid inside the kegs. There's a rubber seal inside the poppet valve that is exposed to alcohol on the liquid...
by jimmayhugh
Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:03 pm
Forum: Boilers
Topic: eBay milk cans + mile hi lids are not plug and play
Replies: 19
Views: 4791

Re: eBay milk cans + mile hi lids are not plug and play

I bought a couple of Temco 50L milk cans a few years back on ebay, and they are practically indestructible. They are 2mm thick, and can be a bitch to silver solder, and the Mile-Hi Dome Lid fits perfectly. They are more expensive but worth it.
by jimmayhugh
Sat Feb 22, 2020 8:47 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Liquid malt extract for cheap
Replies: 70
Views: 4488

Re: Liquid malt extract for cheap

I will do some research. Not sure if sugar needs to be added to get the SG up or keep adding LME until it's high enough , but that may be to much flavor. When I make a batch, I add 30 lbs of extract to 10 gal of filtered water, mix and aerate it with a paint mixer on my power drill and pitch the ye...
by jimmayhugh
Sat Feb 22, 2020 7:48 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Liquid malt extract for cheap
Replies: 70
Views: 4488

Re: Liquid malt extract for cheap

The LME I regularly use has a ppg of 1.035, which means that a pound of syrup added to a gallon of water will have a SG of 1.035. It's an additive process, so each additional pound of extract added to that gallon of water will increase the SG by 0.035. The ppg is normally somewhere on the container,...
by jimmayhugh
Thu Feb 13, 2020 4:04 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: WHO HAS MADE THE PERFECT PARROT
Replies: 67
Views: 9997

Re: WHO HAS MADE THE PERFECT PARROT

I had a look at McMaster Carr for 3-way valves and they're crazy expensive in stainless. Distillex has some cheaper options, but the 3-way are bigger than I'd like. https://distillex.aliexpress.com/store/group/Valve/2958194_511608413.html?spm=a2g0o.store_home.pcShopHead_2571554.1_2_5 Brewershardwar...
by jimmayhugh
Mon Feb 03, 2020 6:39 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: How-to Solder SS Ferrule to Copper Pipe - w/video
Replies: 9
Views: 14132

Re: How-to Solder SS Ferrule to Copper Pipe - w/video

Torch: You will need a MAP torch. Propane is not hot enough to work with the silver solder, or a 2"+ joint, for that matter. I have seen others say MAP is not hot enough and that you need Acetylene. This is not my experience. I have silver-soldered dozens of ferrules to copper and stainless st...
by jimmayhugh
Mon Jan 27, 2020 10:35 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Brazing stainless steel to copper help
Replies: 21
Views: 2456

Re: Brazing stainless steel to copper help

When stainless steel is directly connected to copper, copper galvanic corrosion occurs. ... According to Copper.org, the stainless steel plumbing pipes corrode. You missed part of the problem: "Galvanic corrosion (also called bimetallic corrosion) is an electrochemical process in which one met...
by jimmayhugh
Fri Jan 24, 2020 3:13 pm
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: Fun with Technology
Replies: 4
Views: 1648

Re: Fun with Technology

I've been interested in getting real-time, updateable ABV readings for a while now, but was struggling with a relatively simple method to do it. I saw a project over at Barley and Hops that used a time-of-flight sensor to read a alcometer in a parrot, and translated the relative height of the alcome...
by jimmayhugh
Sat Jan 18, 2020 6:06 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: 2" Copper Ferrules..... in bulk
Replies: 10
Views: 3236

Re: 2" Copper Ferrules..... in bulk

Take a look at these...

Also in 4"

Derrin may be able to do a better deal in quantity...
by jimmayhugh
Wed Jan 15, 2020 4:21 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Ball vs Butterfly Valve
Replies: 10
Views: 2062

Re: Ball vs Butterfly Valve

Both are an eaqual pain when it comes to routine disassembly and cleaning, and I get maybe my butterfly valve might have been a cheapo, but my personal preference I'm sticking with the ball valve. I use these instead of the three-piece ball valves. Quick and easy to disassemble and clean, about the...