Kauri Road Brewery 2.3

[Barry]

Significant progress this weekend, cyclone Lusi gifting me a fair amount of indoors time.

Got all my vessels completed, all that's left to get going is the electrickery (so still quite a bit then).

I had mixed experiences with some of the fittings, all four taps through the pots seemed to go together quite differently despite each pair of them being made up of identical parts inside and out.

But they all passed an initial leak test, not with vessels full but with me bending and twisting them as much as possible, didn't see any leaks at all. They probably won't show themselves until the kettle is full of boiling wort though eh.

Photos, the setup left to right – kettle, mash tun, hot liquor tank draped with hoses. Underneath is the pumps, one of which is screwed in place and fitted out.

HLT outside:

HLT inside, compression fittings on outlet and inlet:

Kettle:

I've 3 more photos of the kettle inside, mash tun inside, and pump fittings but I appear to have hit ning's attachment ceiling. If any one is curious to see the extra pics add a comment and I'll create a new post. Likewise if you're keen to see any detail please comment and I'll shoot close ups and provide details of the method to the madness.

I have a few spare parts. Heaps of O-rings, for elements there's these ones, for the 1/2" inlets there's these ones. Also some odd bits of stainless: nipples, a coupler, quite a few washers that are very specific sizes suited to the electricbrewery.com method of weldless fittings. If anyone wants some of this stuff let me know, saves you ordering your own over-supply of o-rings from ebay like I did right? Free to a good home.

Putting the feelers out, you'll have noticed 3 compression fittings with nothing coming out of them. I have a generously given length of 1/2" OD stainless tubing that needs bending (thanks Karl!). Does anyone around the Auckland area have access to a suitable pipe bender? I only need 1 dip tube and 2 whirlpool bits bent, can trade a half hours use for beer. Let me know.

Onwards and upwards to the wiring, need to order a few more bits, but the control panel has had it's cable hatch JB Welded on and I have a few fancy electrical gadgets to start laying out on the front of the panel (mucho gracias Richard Jack). Going to wait until I have every switch and fitting before I start cutting holes.

Cheers!

[Barry]

tap tap tap, this thing on?

[Crusader-Rob]

Reading you loud & clear.

[Barry]

Yeah should say that wasn't intended as a shameless self-plug, just keen on getting some pipe bender action.

[Crusader-Rob]

Haha, Fair enough. are you looking to do copper bending?

[Barry]

nah, stainless. quite thick walled, 1/2" outer diameter. hard shit.

[Crusader-Rob]

Stainless wort chiller? If so, what are the benefits of stainless over copper?

[dean fisher]

don't no if you have a swagelok branch up there but we have borrowed there benders before

[Barry]

Looks rad :) I'll let you know once I've given it a blast.

[Scott H]

Looking mint Barry. I'd be keen too see the rest of the photos. Why did you choose not to go with 3pc ball taps?

[Peter Church]

Take a few brews to the local plumbing shop round closing time... reckon pipe benders shouldn't be to hard to borrow under those conditions. Keen to see you photos too