Electric Brewery Suggestions

[canuck]

By the end of the week, I hope to send off all of the necessary paperwork to the federal government for a brewery license. I'm starting to think of where I want to go with regards to the system that I want to purchase. I really want to go electric for a number of reasons, but mainly so that I can brew in my basement. My local municipality has currently permitted me to produce 160 litres per week (although I can easily increase that amount with their approval) out of my home. I have a full time job and also own another business so time will be very important to me.

So having said those things, if you had up to $8k or so to spend on an electric system, what would it be? I'd love to go the DIY route, but I have zero experience with electrical stuff and would really have no idea how to build a control panel, etc.

[mr x]

I think the Stout stuff is popular. Give them a shout.

http://conical-fermenter.com/products/2-bbl-systems/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[thirdeye]

These guys seem to be fairly reputable, and local, though probably out of your price range. Anyway to boost your available $$?

http://dmebrewing.ca/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[canuck]

Thanks for the suggestions, gents. I've looked at the stout tanks, and pricing isn't too bad at all. I brew on DME equipment at Big Tide, and while it's awesome gear, it would be WAY out of my price range. One other option is a BC-50 from http://www.stainlesssteelspec.com/html/an/aframe.html

It is what Patrice uses, and IIRC, I believe he paid $6400 for his back in 04. I'm sure it's a fair bit more now though.

[jason.loxton]

Is your plan to do single 1 bbl batches a week, or were you planning on breaking that up into even smaller batches? It makes more sense to do 1 bbl, but if you wanted to work more (who doesn't!) and really save money, you could always throw elements into a set of OBK 19 gallon pots and do 1/2 bbl. Combine that with converted sankes as fermenters, and you'd be brewing *really* cheap (e.g., http://www.brewershardware.com/sanke-fermenter-kits/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). Other than that, Blichman or Stout seem like your best budget options. Hess Brewing has a great discussion about using inductor tanks and ambient cooling in 1-3 bbl batches here: http://hessbrewing.blogspot.ca/2010/06/ ... tivus.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[sleepyjamie]

Shane, how are you coming up with the money for the brewery? It would be cool to have some sort of way to collect money from people like us as donations/contributions of sorts and then perhaps provide a batch of beer when you have the system up and running. Of course whatever is acceptable in the eyes of the law.

[jason.loxton]

Here's a new development that speaks in favour of Blichman pots: they've added a 45 g extension system that you can add to their 55 g pots. That means that you could set up for 1 bbl now, and for an additional $1500 upgrade your system to 2 bbl if you choose to down the line: http://www.mainbrew.com/BLICHMANN-2-BBL ... dview.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RubberToe]

Damn, now you have me daydreaming about building a big electric system.

The question is, do you want a 1 or 2 bbl system? You might be able to squeeze out a 2 bbl system for $8k on a budget.

I got looking at those stout tanks... drool. For electric, I'm not sure how much juice you'd need for 2 bbl but I think 1 bbl would be fine running on a 50A line in your home. That would give you 2 x 4500 watt elements in your BK.

I don't know what kind of system you're thinking about but I think my dream system is 2 vessel. I'd have 2 4500 watt elements in the BK which would keep you safely under 50A full on. I'd have my control panel switch between mash mode (RIMS) and the BK. Bottom drain mash tun with a 240v element RIMS tube. Heat the strike water in the BK, transfer to the MT, dough in, switch to RIMS for maintaining temps and stepping up. I'd try full volume mash, no sparge.

Now I want to do this for myself with 20 gallon vessels!

Whatever you do, good luck!

[LiverDance]

Damn, now you have me daydreaming about building a big electric system.

The question is, do you want a 1 or 2 bbl system? You might be able to squeeze out a 2 bbl system for $8k on a budget.

I got looking at those stout tanks... drool. For electric, I'm not sure how much juice you'd need for 2 bbl but I think 1 bbl would be fine running on a 50A line in your home. That would give you 2 x 4500 watt elements in your BK.

I don't know what kind of system you're thinking about but I think my dream system is 2 vessel. I'd have 2 4500 watt elements in the BK which would keep you safely under 50A full on. I'd have my control panel switch between mash mode (RIMS) and the BK. Bottom drain mash tun with a 240v element RIMS tube. Heat the strike water in the BK, transfer to the MT, dough in, switch to RIMS for maintaining temps and stepping up. I'd try full volume mash, no sparge.

Now I want to do this for myself with 20 gallon vessels!

Whatever you do, good luck!

Hmmmm, that setup sounds familiar

[RubberToe]

Hmmmm, that setup sounds familiar

LOL, yeah. Hurry up and finish it eh? I want to see yours in action and then I might not be long to follow.

[jeffsmith]

Hmmmm, that setup sounds familiar

LOL, yeah. Hurry up and finish it eh? I want to see yours in action and then I might not be long to follow.

Indeed, I'm strongly considering it as well. I need another project that I don't have time for (or money to spend on) to work on after this stage of my basement renos are completed.

[mr x]

I'm not a big fan of RIMS. Hitting your dough in temp in 60 seconds is the holy grail AFAIAC.

[HPhunter]

I've brewed 160L to 250L with 3 4500W elements. I wouldn't go any less then this. I'm on the low side with 4 5500W elements doing 400L batches. I will be adding more power to mine to speed up brewing times and to do bigger batches.
I have a nice insulated MT but also used a 55g Blichman mashtun that wasn't insulated. Not much of a difference in eff.
Simple is best. Easy to clean is even better.
HP

[berley]

Not sure if you've checked this out yet...

http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looks pretty cool, and they have a lot of step-by-step guides, but I'm like you and wouldn't trust myself to even attempt something like this! I think they sell a lot of the stuff pre-made, however... just not sure of the price off the top of my head.

[Araxi]

Berley that's what I built. The only change I made was I bought a 30 gallon kettle instead of a 20. Works great I love the damn thing.

[RubberToe]

Not sure if you've checked this out yet...

http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looks pretty cool, and they have a lot of step-by-step guides, but I'm like you and wouldn't trust myself to even attempt something like this! I think they sell a lot of the stuff pre-made, however... just not sure of the price off the top of my head.

Yeah that whole site is pretty much a must read for anyone thinking of going electric. Not necessarily to do everything the way Kal does but it covers a lot of good information.

[mr x]

The way he installs the elements is not well thought out. I would strongly recommend not following that design.

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[AllanMar]

The way he installs the elements is not well thought out. I would strongly recommend not following that design.

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Come on, you can buy one for your very self for the low low price of $195....haha

[Araxi]

Explain mr x

Here is a quote from a user:
"The Brew on Premises that we built using TheElectricBrewery control panel and design is a cornerstone to our business. We've brewed over 300 batches in just a year and a half and ALL the equipment and components are still working like the day we got them." - Douglas Amport, Co-Owner, Bitter & Esters

[mr x]

The element relies on the silicone sealant to seal the element, as opposed to gasket or oring. Whack that enough times and you'll be sorry.

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[canuck]

Here's a new development that speaks in favour of Blichman pots: they've added a 45 g extension system that you can add to their 55 g pots. That means that you could set up for 1 bbl now, and for an additional $1500 upgrade your system to 2 bbl if you choose to down the line: http://www.mainbrew.com/BLICHMANN-2-BBL ... dview.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's pretty sweet, I've actually never seen these extensions before. Certainly makes it easy to upgrade when needed.

I'm currently permitted by my town to produce and sell 160 litres per week, so a 1BBL system will work just fine right now.

I have looked at Kal's website quite a bit. For a control panel, I won't even attempt that shit myself and would need to get one pre-built.

[Araxi]

mr x, that's not true. Silicone is only used on the inside of the box as an extra safe guard against moisture. The element is secured with an o ring within a washer, much like the Blichmann no weld connections.
And for all the nay sayers (which there always seems to be here) , most of that system can be built yourself you don't have to buy any of the parts pre built for 195...lol

http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/heati ... nts?page=7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mr x]

Look closely. The oring only seals one path.

That's not naysaying, it's pointing out an issue for people who miss details.
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[Araxi]

Well it's not sealed with silicone, and I've knocked it plenty of times. It's a tried and true system that's all I'm saying. Lets have a look at your system maybe I can poke a
few holes in it

[thirdeye]

Look closely. The oring only seals one path.

That's not naysaying, it's pointing out an issue for people who miss details.

Would encasing the two terminals in silicone take care of a possible "electrocution through use" scenario?