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Ever since Hoptoberfest I kept thinking about building a hop randall and read several articles, different designs, etc. I didn't want to use one of the 10 inch canisters for a permanent install in my kegerator since I feel it may be too big and lead to some wastage of beer, hops, and whatever. I found an old thread somewhere where someone mentioned the posibility of using one of these smaller water filter canisters. Well I found one and here goes.

Pentek 5 inch water filter housing: http://www.filtersfast.com/Pentek-15811 ... ousing.asp

It came to $27 USD with shipping and I had it in exactly 12 days. USPS -> Canada Post with tracking.

It turns out that a sankey keg spear fits over the top and bottom fittings inside the housing. I cut the spear to 5 inches (could have gotten away with 7/8" or so more) and drilled some small holes near the bottom.

The in/out ports of the filter housing are 3/8" FPT. On the out side I have a 3/8" MPT to 1/4" hose barb. On the input I used a 3/8" MPT / 1/4" compression. I drilled it out to 1/4" and put in that 1/4" od 90 degree stainless tube I had ad spare parts. I did it this way to avoid beer coming out the bleeder valve while filling it. It might be overkill though. I have another hose barb that I was going to use but this worked out (so far). I pickled the brass fittings in 2 parts vinegar & 1 part hydrogen peroxide for 5 minutes to remove surface lead.

I haven't tested it yet, and I'm real low on IPA. I have a pount of citra leaf hops in the freezer that I might crack on Monday evening - I'm in daddy mode until then.

I'm really looking forward to loading it with coffee beans and cocoa nibs for porters and stouts.


-Rob

That was Mark that had tried this (Guingesrock) if I remember correctly. I'm planning on putting one in when I build my keezer.

Just saw this.

Mine worked well: http://www.brewnosers.org/forums/viewto ... =25#p67186" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

...that is until it leaked and emptied 3/4 keg of beer into my keezer. I was really pissed off and haven't used it since. If you look at the design in the link, I have PVC hose slid over copper tube and fastened with hose clamps. That kind of connection doesn't work unless you keep tightening the hose clamps and that was where it failed, but that was the only way I could find of doing it, after an hour in home depot looking at all the possible fittings.

Take care

Thanks, Mark. I have a barb on the inlet and a smooth tube like yours on the outlet. I was thinking of using two clamps on that side.

I like the bazooka screen there, pretty neat. I have that same filter canister for actual water filtering.

I'm thinking mine will be a pain in the ass to switch out, I really need some kind of removable connection there. I'll see how that stainless tubing on my output side works first.

I'll be testing it really soon now but have been holding off since I'd rather share it than "drink alone". It's been a busy week too.

And sorry for your loss, that sucks. I've lots a bit before but never that much. The clean up must have sucked.

I think this will be making it's debut in a few hours. Busiest shopping day of the year or something like that? I think it's a good excuse to stay in.

Friggin right! I was downtown at 9:30 and out by 12:00 and done.

Hope you enjoy it. I've ben thinking of getting mine going again. It served it's time. It got sentenced to three months outside by the back step, with the beer and hops left in. I cleaned it out about a month ago and and put it in the basement. The beer in it hadn't gone bad, no nasty smell any way.

This guy seems to love his Randall: http://www.brewnosers.org/forums/viewto ... 054#p66850" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;