New steam boiler

[Midwest]

I thought I would post some pictures of my new steam generator. I can’t say the idea was mine as I have picked it from sources on the net. I’m using a design similar to the one made by still dragging. Starting with a small pressure vessel I bought on Craigslist, then I had my welder put a couple of 2 inch ferrules on each end and added a additional fitting to the side for the plumbing to my sight glass. Though of putting a float switch in it and may yet do it. For now I put a needle vale on it and just regulate a slow flow to top off for evaporation. I now can heat to boil in about 4 minutes. Significantly shorter time then when I was having to heat my keg for steam. Thought I would share in case anyone else was looking for design options. Always welcome constructive comments as well, thanks.

[shadylane]

I Like it

[shadylane]

What's the story on the brass nut
And where do's the plastic hose on the steam side go?

[Midwest]

Originally there was a copper union for the steam line connection. Swapped it out for ferrule but forgot to remove nut before I soldered in place. The tubing it high temperature silicone tubing that is the manometer. Fool proof pressure relief valve and vacuum break!

[shadylane]

How tall is the mano?

[Midwest]

Six feet.

[shadylane]

What are You using the pretty little steam generator for

[Midwest]

I steam strip my all grain ferments. No squeezing here. I squeezed one batch about a year ago and decided that was the first and last time I was doing that. Up to this point I have been using one keg for a steam boiler and the second for the stripping the grain. I also use it to cook my grains. Next stripping run I’m going to try and use the steam stripper into the first keg and the output of that keg to a second keg full of grain as well to see if I can double up the quantity I strip at one time.

[metalsmith]

I would like to know who made that bad boy so I can find one... the pressure vessel that is.

[metalsmith]

I have used a wall paper stripper in the past, so a steam thing for distilling seems it should be straight forward.

[Midwest]

You can build one all it takes is time and $$

[LWTCS]

I like it.

Eductor head next project?

[OtisT]

Nice unit.

Otis

[shadylane]

Don't be bashful, show us the rest of your rig
Edited: Please

[MichiganCornhusker]

Nice setup

I would have thought you would want to rig up some kind of float setup for it.
Do you need to adjust the valve much, or can you just pretty much let it go once you get it dialed in?
I do like the sight glass idea to be able to watch water level.

Steam in 4 minutes is pretty nice, eh?

[zach]

I like your design.

If I built one I would add a float switch to turn off the heater element before the element runs dry. I get distracted easily and would burn out elements if the water supply was disrupted.

Probably would add the another float switch and solenoid valve for an operating level control as well.

If you have a power controller it would be easy to match the flow in with the needle valve and the power required to maintain a 1 or 2 psi of steam pressure.

With a pressure sensor and a PID controller it would be easy to maintain a constant steam supply pressure and have a high pressure shutdown.

[shadylane]

Often simplicity is the best option
Plug the heater in and adjust the needle valve.

[Midwest]

Finally getting back to this thread. The steam boiler works great. The manual needle valve also works welll
It’s very easy to match the evaporation rate with the valve and no need for a float system. I do all my cooking with it and all my stripping runs as well. No need to squeeze anything. Just dump it all in and strip. I have not tried to do the final whiskey run with direct steam, however, I have it all set up to try one my next run. Up to this point I have been using a 5500 watt electric element on the whiskey run. The learning curve will be getting the power of the boiler dialed in for a good flow rate on a whiskey run. For me steam is the only way to go as I use all grain. Currently 70/30, corn/rye using enzymes.

[shadylane]

I have not tried to do the final whiskey run with direct steam, however, I have it all set up to try one my next run.

Ain't steam great for cooking, mashing and stripping
But for spirit runs it dilutes the alcohol somewhat.

[Midwest]

I usually dilute down to 35% when I'm using internal element. I figured I would just start at 40% to compensate for the additional H2O. I will see how it goes. I just cooked up another 40 gallon mash last night, easy with steam.

[raketemensch]

That thing is beautiful, but even if it was a hideous mess it would still beat squeezing grains...

[fog]

I really like the needle valve and sight glass approach -so much simpler than a float valve. Though you do have to pay attention...

[Brutal]

NICE job Sir!

[pope]

What pressure do you run your steam at?

[Midwest]

It’s an open system so the pressure will only build to less than 3 lbs.

[shadylane]

A friend copied your steam boiler.
He used a 4" x 24" SS spool for the boiler
The round end plates were made from copper sheet
That way all the copper plumbing could be soldered on.
And tri-clamps make it easy to take apart for cleaning.

[LWTCS]

A friend copied your steam boiler.
He used a 4" x 24" SS spool for the boiler
The round end plates were made from copper sheet
That way all the copper plumbing could be soldered on.
And tri-clamps make it easy to take apart for cleaning.

He drive it yet? He happy?

[shadylane]

He say's it works great
It's a shame he won't let me take any pictures