Electric Brewing

[James P]

I have been researching the hell out of setting up the electric brewery and have been buying bits and pieces to get my rig underway, but my issue is what to do next... beside procrastinating!

I have 3kW elements for the HLT and kettle. I am thinking (as per Sparky's comments on the trademe thread) that a temp controller for HLT and a PID for kettle.

Ebay has a couple of cheap PID controllers with Ktype thermos. It also has some thermowells out of the US. (Bling!) While there is a NZ supplier (Thermowellsupply.com) but they are yet to reply to me. I could make my own out of SS tube and SS bolts drilled out, but thermowells / thermocouples make me horny.... I mean look cool and would make the job easier.

Firstly I would like to introduce Frankenframe. Once he was the backbone of a processing conveyor belt worked 20 years for the man, now he is the is reborn as my brewing frame (also known as Rodney). Angled galvanised steel, yet to be painted and completed. Two tiers, and will have wheels etc.

 

My idea for the rig (the frame is having the final welding done tonight as long as the welder doesn't drink too much of my beer):

And the controller:

I'm looking for feedback, in particular if you have ideas in relation to the controller. (Oops just realised I missed the pump control from the controller, nuts.)

More photos etc to come as Frankenframe goes through the motions to become my brewing rig.

:)

[James P]

Yes, I'm using the same design as what Denimglen has used for his sightglass. (From this thread)

The tubing is 1/2" polycarbonate tubing from Mulford's plastics.

[Nick T]

Another option if you are lazy like me is this from craftbrewer.....

[James P]

That would work, but it looks like it needs a bulkhead for the kettle.... I'm guessing you still need a replacement for yours.... :)

The frame is all welded up and I brought it home yesterday to start sanding it ready for painting.

It would seem that I am no longer a Bunnings or Mitre 10 DIYer. They don't seem to stock >10Amp extensions, or much in the way of >10amp components.

[Nick T]

Off to MasterTrade for you then.....

[James P]

Yep, I'm one of the big boys now! :)

[Chris Banks]

Hows the old frankenframe coming along James?

Had my first trial run with my electric HLT today worked a treat (once I got my head around the PID settings quite happy!)

I do wonder what its going to do to my power bill though! looking at the power meter round and roundy disc thing screaming around while the HLT was going thinking I may have to make a scatter sheild for the meter in case the little disc comes flying out like a mini buzzsaw!!

[jt]

So that was a trial run, not a dry run and you have 21 litres of luke warm water sitting in the fermenter ?

[Chris Banks]

Yep im gonna call the resulting beer budwieser!

[James P]

I've had the frame back and forth to the get the design changed a couple of times. Looks like it has to go back again as I changed to be able to use both two tier and three tier (for gravity feed in case the pump died), however I removed the wrong supports and now can not use it for the two tier... f*** it, as this time I got it painted too.

As for the electric HLT, still looking for the right elements, with some stainless steel options at reasonable prices.

Still heaps to do, but no rush as I still have the garage floor to brew on!

[Chris Banks]

Bugger about the frame!

When you say the right elements what are you looking for?

I got a pair of secondhand water heater elements so it was just a matter of welding a pair of threaded sockets into the side of my keg

[James P]

I'm looking for element longevity, as Mike said in another thread around here that he has had issues with the element getting rooted with the wort pH. In between incoloy coated and stainless, either way I just have to go a buy them.

I was thinking about a "weld less" design for the elements, basically cut a hole and use a flange nut or similar on the inside with a silicone washer or two for sealing.

Did you earth to your keg?

[Chris Banks]

Yep keg is earthed!