Brew UK Forum | Equipment
Brewery Build
Ok here goes...
This isn't a how to, its just showing what I did.
Its a bit of a project so I don't expect it to be completed any time soon but I'll post my progress here.
Going to build something along these lines.
Dexion type steel £0.00, got some lying around somewhere.
Thermos 28 litre cool box £19.40 delivered, very disapointed with the quality, cheap & quite flimsy. The Argos one may have been better & cheaper too.
Mango chutney barrels x2 (50 litre) £30.99 delivered.
Progress so far,
Hmmm, not got very far but I have looked out the steel.
Planning: Vienna lager, Wheat beer fermented with Gutmann yeast, ESB
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Responses
Posted 1 year ago by Member
hmmm, pics don't show?, links posted.
edit: sorted
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Nice one mate. I take it you have a dedicated brewing place then you lucky boy!
So the mango barrels - what will you use them for?
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hamish,
Describing how i feel right now seeing you bottom photo - JEALOUS!!! How did you manage to get a dedicated brewing room? I would love a set up like that one.
It looks impressive though... Like Nath would be interested to know what the Mango Barrels are for as i've never seen or heard of them before.
Neil
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Don't be jealous its just a junk shed with a leaky roof & doors that flap in the wind, seriously, its not impressive at all. Its hot in the summer & perishing cold in the winter & its full of crap.
The mango chutney barrels came from Smiths of Dean & both will be made into boilers once I've robbed the elements from some cheapo Tesco kettles.
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Good stuff mate, Im all for diy (as most of my brewery is
) but are they ok for high temps? I only ask as my diy boiler is plastic HDPE as it can stand 100c+ temps and just wondered if the mango ones are?
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
They're made from HMHDPE, plenty of peeps have made them into boilers.
Ultimately though we'll just have to see, flick the switch & stand well back.
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Nice one Hamish, great plan. Feeling green too with your dedicated area for brewing. I'm made to go up and down the ladder into the attic a dozen times every brewday. Still, it's good exercise!
(with grateful thanks to the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and slightly adapted)
Posted 1 year ago by Member
The frame is done.
Frankly that was the easy bit. Now for the more fiddly plumbing & electrics, also drilling holes in perfectly good water tight containers... yikes.
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Looks sweet mate, totally jealous of a DIY build. Building a brewery from ready made is one thing but sorting a total DIY is the way to go. Well done mate! So when will you get round to pipes and Electrics then?
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
A trip to Tesco or Sainsbury's next for some £4.78 kettles, should have a go at fitting the elements sometime this week. The plumbing is the bit I'm least sure about, think I need to see the parts in the flesh so to speak before I decide exactly what to fit.
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Member
One £4.78 Tesco kettle
Anyone think I've invalidated the warranty?.
Got to drill holes now, think I'll practice on an old bucket first.
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Admin
Looking good. I assume that's the switch that you are by passing with the blue wire, definitely won't be requiring that as full power all the way!
Looks like it comes apart quite easily.
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Yep, bypass the switch & engage warp factor 10.
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Warp factor 10 aint fast enough for those elements! How many are you putting in the boiler 1 or 2? I use 2 to get to a boil and switch to one while its rolling and my god its spits, farts and boils over like a unpaid hooker.
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Definitely two!
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
KA-POW! (in a 1970's batman stylee)
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Two 38mm holes
That went quite well, the problem is fitting them at the lowest point but avoiding the tapered part of the barrel. Takes 9 litres to completely submerge the elements & appears to be water tight so far.
Boil test next.
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Looking very nice indeed! - Electrim manufacturers, watch and learn
Conditioning - Theakston Old Peculier
Conditioning - Christmas 2010 (Strong Xmas ale)
Maturing - Peach wine kit
Drinking - Summer Lightning, Summer Wit
Posted 1 year ago by Admin
Looking good Hamish. Can't wait to see that bad boy bubbling away!
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Thanks fellas, still quite a bit to do before I can join the AG ranks.
Does anyone know where I can get a thermometer/temperature gauge with a back connection, would prefer that to a thermowell.
Like this...
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
the builds coming along nicley dude, spot on! As for the temp guages...... after having a quick look on t'net I cant find em. Bugger! Sorry, will have a better look tommorow.
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
10m X 8mm soft copper pipe.
Wrapped around a paint tin.
Just got to work out how to connect it to the hose.
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Very smart looking!
As for fitting connecting it, take a look at this thread:
http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/copper-wort-chiller
Fermenting:
Condtioning: Twibute Clone
Drinking: 100% wheat, Fixby Gold
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Thanks Simon,
that thread goes off the rails a bit though.
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Looking very nice again Hamish, I was gonna diy a cooler but after diying the boiler, the shed and the fridge I gave in! I cant wait for the next installment mate, looking like its gonna be a great setup.
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hamish,
Are you considering starting your own commercial brewery? With that set up i cannot see why not?
As Nath said it's looking very good...!
Neil
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Thanks guys, its coming along quite nicely & I haven't even buggered anything up... yet. Pretty much got all the bits except the thermometer but that might be sorted tomorrow. Mash tun manifold is next on the list, boiler & mash tun taps to fit & it might start to look like a brewery.
I reckon I could just about brew a firkin assuming I'm capable of brewing anything at all. I don't have any intention to do brew commercially, difficult enough running your own business as it is without the extra layer of taxation & various other hoops to jump through.
Brewing would be the easy bit, its the sales & marketing that would be difficult. I think if you were to do it commercially it would be better to concentrate on the marketing & get the beer contract brewed but that would be no fun at all.
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
So where did you find the thermometer in the end, I searched for a good half hour but found nada.
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
SM Gauge at Bristol, its a bit of a shot in the dark though but I'm out that way tomorrow so I might as well call in.
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Had to go down the thermowell route not that I mind, prices seemed flexible & got him down to a tenner.
Brewery Build cont...(Click)
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Member
When you put your elements in did the plastci gromet come from the kettle when you took it apart?
cheers
Lawrence
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Yes, I drilled a 38mm hole & everything needed to refit the element came from the kettle.
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Member
many thanks, Hamish where about do live?
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Leicestershire
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hamish
About to get some kettles, how did you get power of off the element and what did you cover the electrics with?
My misses is H&S concious!
regards
Lawrence
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Not sure what you mean?, do you mean power to the element?.
I bought some heat rated kettle sockets from Maplins.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/hot-condition-euro-line-socket-42706
To cover the electrics I cut up an old silicone sealant tube, it was a bit loose so padded it out with some tape until it was a tight fit.
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Thanks for that, I think I will buy some elements.
Its a little bit more money but the trouble in strife will be happier!
http://pdtnc.wordpress.com/2010/11/23/50-litre-copper-boiler-hlt-build/
I guess that's the great thing about the forum.
Should be up and running within two weeks.
thanks
Lol
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Should look very professional.
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Member
I don't know about that!
I brought some stainless steel mesh today.
going to put over pipes in bottom of mash tun!
Do you think it will work?
its about the thickness as colander mesh
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
That looks sexy, Im nowhere near as diy skilled as that bloke! One thing though, what is earthed? Or does it not need to be earthed? I assume it does because of water and metal but I dont really know electrics at all!
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 12 months ago by Member
I guess its not double insulated and metal, if any live wires touched the kettle it would be earthed where its screwed in. I guess its very unlikely with those euro connectors
Posted 2 months ago by Member
Hi Hamish
Re post 8 (picture) - how high is the steel frame at its highest, and again on the 2nd shelf on the left, please?
Iestyn
FV;Hopback Summer Lighting (1st AG)
Conditioning;Tettnang
Drinking; Geordie Lager, Rocker APA and Thunderbolt
Finished; Way to Amarillo, Coopers IPA
Posted 2 months ago by Member
5' and 3' 6"
Fermenting:
Maturing/Conditioning:
Drinking: Pseudo-Lager, Oatmeal stout & Shop bought stuff
Posted 2 months ago by Member
cheers - the cogs are grinding away....
FV;Hopback Summer Lighting (1st AG)
Conditioning;Tettnang
Drinking; Geordie Lager, Rocker APA and Thunderbolt
Finished; Way to Amarillo, Coopers IPA
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