My new boiler. Time to modify.

[yakattack]

+1 yay for smart people.

In all seriousness thank you for putting the technical theory in order Lol I know what it would do in my mind but wasn't sure of the math behind it.

Yak

[Worm Food]

I didn't find much info other than Swede did it.
Here's how I think it was done.
The heater warms the water and therefor the mash in the bain marie.
The water doesn't boil until the mash gets hot enough to quit stealing heat from it.
Once the water starts boiling, the steam is injected into the mash.

The picture here, from this post I've quoted, I'm thinking is a good way to start.

If I were able to amass all these details into one particular thread, and incorporate it all with that which I 've amassed, then I'd be golden. I have to express thanks to all who recommend " read more", as that is never a bad thing. As I've been reading 'elsewhere' and here for more than three years, it's a wonder as to exactly how long/how much is needed before attempting questions, discussion, theory, advice, or suggestions. When someone knows that particular point/level, please state such, unequivicably.

I know what I don't know, and that is everything! But there are a few things that I've learned, and definitely come here for more. As I've seen while searching various places, "here" is the best place to ask and discuss. Thank you for that.

I surely don't want to derail this OP's thread, and I'm thinking my intent is parallel at the very least. Or am I wrong?

The next picture I'd like to add here, is one that I saw on someone elses thread, regarding cap/pot seal method. I'd like to add it too, but have to find it, then figure out how to do so.

Bourbon style output, using feints and possible "grainy" mash/beer is what our main focus is. As opposed to any straight vodka/blank spirit type runs.
With also charred barrel and temperature differentiation style aging processes. Or at least, this is what we're thinking is required for the outcome we prefer.

Thoughts?

[yakattack]

Wf. Had to read that a few times to understand. I think I do...

First. Who is we?

Second. If your building a boiler what shady and I are building are perfect for our application. Able to run on the grain/pulp with almost zero percent chance of scorching. Without having to deal with pressureizing a steam system as that can be dangerous. It is a very function all around boiler as it will allow you to do gin type spirits with the herbs in the boiler. Same for brandy, ferment and run on the pulp for better conversion and flavor.

This will be my last daily driver boiler. I will be making a small gin still as I only want to make a bottle or 2 of that at a time. I don't drink much gin or absenthe.

I've settled on welding the lid on. I will add an aditional 4 or 6 inch triclamp open for fill/clean so I can make a change or add things in without removing the column. Seems a better option to me at least.

This should have a decent start as I will be meeting with the gentleman that is going to do the welding for me this weekend to discuss the modifications among other things.

So if your building something similar yourself share then info, or feel free to ask questions. We're all trying to make the best drop we can so we he each other out.

Yak

[shadylane]

....If your building a boiler what shady and I are building are perfect for our application. Able to run on the grain/pulp with almost zero percent chance of scorching. Without having to deal with pressureizing a steam system as that can be dangerous. It is a very function all around boiler as it will allow you to do gin type spirits with the herbs in the boiler. Same for brandy, ferment and run on the pulp for better conversion and flavor....
Yak

Dadburnit Yak
I'm building one also and didn't know it was that good.
That or we will know why is isn't such a good idea.

[yakattack]

Lol true this is all just speculation on our part not having run it yet but it already is a proven design I believe. We surely arnt the first to do this.

[shadylane]

I've used direct steam injection to cook, mash and to distill.
Doing it in a bain marie "should" make the processes easier.
But, we are using the bain marie also as the steam boiler.

[yakattack]

Yup. Hence hybrid boiler. May not be quite as fast at direct immersion but the added efficiency should more than make up for it.

Yak

[Worm Food]

Awesome, cool, and thank you.

First, the "we" is myself and my Lady. We're on a quest to satisfy our interests.

Second, the pictures aren't transferring over as I'd hoped. I obviously have to figure that one out and revisit it. The removable cap vs. the welded cap is a design concept yet to be decided on our end.

I'll soon post some pics of what we have, and possibly some concept sketches, so ya'll can sing out and share your thoughts.

This is so very interesting, and at the same time we are not jumping in willy-nilly. Looking for the best "steam generating heat source" for this 'bain marie' jacketed boiler/pot.

[yakattack]

Got to meet up with pythonshine last night. Very cool to get a chance to talk shop with a fellow enthusiast.

He has agreed to do the welding on my new boiler sometime within the next few weeks as well as a few critical welds for the flute. In exchange I will be passing on some gear that will help him get setup with electric.

I will have him take pics if he can of the build from dismantling the bottom to replacing it with an ss sheet and welding on the lid as well some furrels.

I've been waiting for this to come to ahead for a while and I'm really happy I can keep the work within the forum.

Look for some updates come this weekend when I deliver the boiler to him. Anyone with any suggestions or final recommendations get them in now.

Yak

[pythonshine]

Pics at every step. First the bottom then the furrels and the fill and drain outlets. Looking forward to the build!

[shadylane]

I'm looking forward to the pic's and info.

[pythonshine]

Just got the boiler home. The teardown will start tomorrow. Pics of course!

[pythonshine]

Boiler getting ready to be off-loaded

Top is off!

This is why the bottom is being replaced. The sidewall is stainless. The weld joining the side to the bottom is stainless, but the bottom is not.

Heating the fitting to remove the pipe in hopes to see whats inside (twisted off anyway).

This is the drain for the boiler, it was leaking. It is just held in by gravity and a pin, and sealed with an O ring. The O ring is quite worn. The "Gate" is scored as well.

Some of what I got into today.

[yakattack]

Looking good so far. Keep the pics coming.
Edit. I'll be getting one of those torches for sure.

[bitter]

Yak you lucky dog! Thats going to be one nice boiler!

B

[yakattack]

It is. And I'm very lucky to have found this place and great group of people to boot.

Yak

[yakattack]

One thing I want to add before the lid is welded on is a copper coil (think a stove burner) with holes drilled out and the imput coming in through the lid. I want to be able use the boiler to brew 15 gallon batch beers as well and the coil will allow me to sparge the entire batch at a time as well as give the boiler a rinse at the end..

Thoughts?
Yak

[bitter]

You putting a false bottom in the boiler also? Might be a good idea. Get a 10 igloo as a HLT for your sparg water also. and pump to take it from your pot and get the HLT as set before you start your brew. What you using for a boil kettle after you sparge? Electic Keg boiler?

B

[yakattack]

Thinking of adding a screen somehow to the drain valve for sparging. And ya my keg fitted with the 4500w element will bring it to a boil in under 25 min so. Set it up to drain into the coil and have it rain over the grain bed. Don't want to bother with igloo coolers and what not. After the sparge I'll drain the grain and load the wort back into the boiler (in which the outer jacket is still going to be hot so heat loss will me minimum,) Add hops and heat for remaining time. Drain into fermenter and cool with wort chiller.pitch and go. At least that's my thought at this moment.

Yak

[pythonshine]

The screen can be done with a lill fandangalin. The coil will be child's play(as in easy to do).

[bitter]

Something like this



Larger batches the stainless screen tub method does not not work so great.

Other option, not as good as a false bottom... something like this.. stainless might be better... This is what I am doing to my cooler mash tun.


B

[pythonshine]

I like the screen. Unsure what the coolers function is?

[yakattack]

The problem with the false bottom is the lid is going to be welded on. And the fact that the whole bas of the pot is sloped for draining.

[pythonshine]

indeed... putting a screen on the output may require the valve to be removed and modified. We will have to go over it on our next meet up yak.

[RedwoodHillBilly]

Something like this



Larger batches the stainless screen tub method does not not work so great.

Other option, not as good as a false bottom... something like this.. stainless might be better... This is what I am doing to my cooler mash tun.


B

Damn, this is just exactly what I've been looking at doing. I plan on getting a 55gal 304 SS straight wall open top barrel and putting a bazooka screen and a false bottom in it. It isn't cheap, $700 after getting the barrel landed and having the ferrules welded, but what the hell, why not. It sure would be nice to have a mash/lauter tun that could be used for steam cooking as well. I guess that I might be over thinking it, but we'll see when I can scrape up the cash to do it.

[Swedish Pride]

This is turning in to the Swiss army knife of boilers, what's the next addition, flat lid to you can cook dinner on top of it whist running her?

[pythonshine]

Don't give me any ideas now

[yakattack]

Sp. I'm very limited in space whihnis why it's taken me this long to do this. I wanted to be able to do pretty much everything with it. Sadly with using water in the jacket it would never get got enough to cook anything other then soup or hotdogs or the like.

Yak

[pythonshine]

I don't know Yak. You can probably cook a mean sous vide salmon

[yakattack]

Haha haha don't tempt me lol. I'll be picking up a set of those torches today lol. Going to modify the boka like we talked about to see what I can do with her in the mean time.

Might add one now the sight glasses to it to see how it is performing. Won't get the whiskey run until tonight I think. But we will see.