RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

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Keith
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Re: My Single Vessel Electric Brewery Build

Post by Keith » Mon Dec 14, 2015 9:26 pm

Cancel that. Missed it on another page.
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Re: My Single Vessel Electric Brewery Build

Post by RubberToe » Sun Nov 05, 2017 10:48 pm

It's been a while but it's time for some upgrades. I'm moving to a 2 vessel system. 30 gallon pots, HERMS, shiny new 6000W element from Everwood.

It's a lot of work figuring it all out, what hole goes where, exactly. I'm also planning on some automation.

I have lots left to do but have most of the holes punched, bottom drains soldered in too.
IMG_20171105_204634.jpg
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Re: My Single Vessel Electric Brewery Build

Post by jeffsmith » Mon Nov 06, 2017 11:16 am

Looks great, Rob. Similar size to the system I'm working on now. I've got all my holes drilled in my pots, etc. Electrical and framing begins this weekend.

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Re: My Single Vessel Electric Brewery Build

Post by RubberToe » Mon Nov 06, 2017 11:39 am

Jeff, do you have new pots or the same ones as before? Building a more permanent brew area?
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Re: My Single Vessel Electric Brewery Build

Post by jeffsmith » Mon Nov 06, 2017 11:54 am

RubberToe wrote:
Mon Nov 06, 2017 11:39 am
Jeff, do you have new pots or the same ones as before? Building a more permanent brew area?
Same pots that you picked up for me a couple years back. Building a spot in my basement in some spare space. Going with a Hosehead controller. Using power from my dryer plug (with GFCI of course). Picked up a 760 CFM hood so no concerns about humidity. ;) I'm sure I'll be posting a thread when I get into it a bit more. So far just have my elements installed in the boil kettle and HLT along with the HERMS coil in the HLT.

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Re: My Single Vessel Electric Brewery Build

Post by RubberToe » Mon Nov 06, 2017 12:03 pm

Good luck with the build, can't wait to see it.

I'm putting a Pi in my panel and will be running CraftBeerPi to replace my Auber PID eventually, so very similar to the Hosehead. Actually CBP is able to run on the Hosehead too.
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Re: My Single Vessel Electric Brewery Build

Post by jeffsmith » Mon Nov 06, 2017 12:08 pm

RubberToe wrote:
Mon Nov 06, 2017 12:03 pm
Good luck with the build, can't wait to see it.

I'm putting a Pi in my panel and will be running CraftBeerPi to replace my Auber PID eventually, so very similar to the Hosehead. Actually CBP is able to run on the Hosehead too.
Thanks! Yes, I'm planning on getting CBP installed on the Hosehead as soon as I get it to play with the two side by side and see which I like best. The only part about the Hosehead that I'm not sure if I'll like is not having a hard switch for the pumps. We'll see.

Really looking forward to getting back to brewing regularly, have only brewed 2 batches in the past 2 years or so.

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Re: My Single Vessel Electric Brewery Build

Post by RubberToe » Sun Nov 19, 2017 11:47 am

Progress update.

Boil Kettle, doubles as HLT. Soldered 1/2" NPT coupler for bottom drain, street elbow, triclover adapter, TC ball valve - I'm using the valves that came with my conical (replaced on conical with butterfly valves). I had them so why not.
IMG_20171119_104133.jpg

A shot of some of the BK fittings. The bottom two are for the HERMS coil (50' of 1/2"). I'll be going in the top, out the bottom. A small valve on the bottom to keep the contents of the coil from draining in case I have to detach the hose. The bottom one is pointing up because it will output to the Mash Tun's input / recirc port. The very top fitting is the BK input / whirlpool port.
IMG_20171119_104153.jpg

Inside the BK. A good angle to see the bottom drain, temp probe (PT100), Stainless 6000W element, HERMS coil (50' of 1/2"). The element and coil are as low as possible. The coil is also wide / low profile. It's roughly 50 litres to the top of the coil.
IMG_20171119_100901.jpg

Whirlpool arm made from an Everwood 3/8" stainless racking cane (seen in next photo) and compression fitting. I cut the cane in two places to give my desired height and output angle.
IMG_20171119_103928.jpg
IMG_20171119_103913.jpg

Inside the Mash Tun. The bottom drain is in the centre to encourage even channelling. PT100 probe, Male camlock on the input port to attach accessories such as sparge arm. I will also be attaching a drain water hose here when the flow is coming from my counterflow chiller. More on that later. False bottom not shown here.
IMG_20171119_103854.jpg

Current shot of kettles side by side. Stands made from 2x4s which may be temporary but may stay until I get a nice stainless steel table. These work and are cheap. I plan on cleaning in place so not worried about having to move stuff around.
IMG_20171119_103818.jpg
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Re: My Single Vessel Electric Brewery Build

Post by Jimmy » Sun Nov 19, 2017 12:31 pm

Looking good Rob. Hurry up and get brewing!

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Re: RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

Post by jeffsmith » Sun Nov 19, 2017 4:26 pm

Rob, have a look at globalindustrial.ca if you’re looking for stainless tables. I got a 72” X 30” for a little over $200 a couple weeks ago.


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Re: RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

Post by RubberToe » Sun Nov 19, 2017 4:59 pm

Thanks, Jeff. I was looking at a couple of other Canadian suppliers but haven't found those guys yet. Comparable to the others... I'm not ready ($$$) yet but I have half a mind to spring for a model with stanless lower shelf and legs (vs galvanized).

If you have one with galvanized lower shelf and legs, what do you think?
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Re: RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

Post by RubberToe » Sun Nov 19, 2017 5:03 pm

I did another leak test, this time of the HERMS coil and chiller. Fail. :(

The CFC I've been running for years has a leak on the water input side (hose clamp, crimp type). This was the first time that's been under pressure though. I'm running my CFC and HERMS coil inline as an insane double chiller system.

Both my HERMS fittings also leak. Stainless ferrules so they're harder to compress. Also a bitch to get at inside the kettle. I need to find a 1-1/4" wrench tomorrow.... build on hold until then. So close!!
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Re: RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

Post by Jimmy » Sun Nov 19, 2017 5:08 pm

jeffsmith wrote:
Sun Nov 19, 2017 4:26 pm
Rob, have a look at globalindustrial.ca if you’re looking for stainless tables. I got a 72” X 30” for a little over $200 a couple weeks ago.


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Did that include shipping? I always find those guys to be ridiculous for shipping costs.

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Re: RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

Post by jeffsmith » Sun Nov 19, 2017 9:41 pm

Jimmy wrote:
jeffsmith wrote:
Sun Nov 19, 2017 4:26 pm
Rob, have a look at globalindustrial.ca if you’re looking for stainless tables. I got a 72” X 30” for a little over $200 a couple weeks ago.


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Did that include shipping? I always find those guys to be ridiculous for shipping costs.
It was in the neighbourhood of $50 for shipping. I get large filters for my pool from them every year and find their shipping to be on the high side, but not astronomical. Time to ship and delivery is usually pretty fast as well.


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Re: RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

Post by jeffsmith » Sun Nov 19, 2017 9:43 pm

RubberToe wrote:Thanks, Jeff. I was looking at a couple of other Canadian suppliers but haven't found those guys yet. Comparable to the others... I'm not ready ($$$) yet but I have half a mind to spring for a model with stanless lower shelf and legs (vs galvanized).

If you have one with galvanized lower shelf and legs, what do you think?
The legs are stainless but the lower shelf is galvanized. I don’t think I’ll be putting much on the shelf aside from my pumps because of how thin it is, so if you’re looking to store more than that, definitely spring for the stainless shelf.


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Re: RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

Post by Jimmy » Mon Nov 20, 2017 10:09 am

jeffsmith wrote: It was in the neighbourhood of $50 for shipping. I get large filters for my pool from them every year and find their shipping to be on the high side, but not astronomical. Time to ship and delivery is usually pretty fast as well.
Not unreasonable to ship a table!

I'm likely going to buy this one - it's on-sale quite frequently, including right now. Stainless top & bottom shelf.

https://www.amazon.ca/TRINITY-EcoStorag ... less+table

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Re: RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

Post by jeffsmith » Mon Nov 20, 2017 11:16 am

Jimmy wrote:
Mon Nov 20, 2017 10:09 am
Not unreasonable to ship a table!

I'm likely going to buy this one - it's on-sale quite frequently, including right now. Stainless top & bottom shelf.

https://www.amazon.ca/TRINITY-EcoStorag ... less+table
Depending on what you're planning to use it for, make sure to pay attention to the weight capacity. That one is only 150 lbs. The one I grabbed from Global Industrial is 800 lbs.:

https://www.globalindustrial.ca/p/work- ... undershelf

And correction, shipping was $85, not $50. Double-checked my invoice. Still not astronomical given the size and weight of the box.

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Re: RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

Post by RubberToe » Mon Nov 20, 2017 11:33 am

I noticed the weight capacity there too.
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Re: RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

Post by Jimmy » Mon Nov 20, 2017 11:41 am

Yeah, I'm not using mine as a stand for holding brewing vessels. I'm planning on building a separate, lower height stand for my mash tun.

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Re: RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

Post by tony72cutlass's' » Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:32 pm

Your setup is awesome! I need to take some notes...

Looks like scope creep on these setups can be pretty intense!

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Re: RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

Post by RubberToe » Tue Nov 21, 2017 4:01 pm

Thanks! Yes, this build is over 6 years old, changing, evolving. My control panel has remained the same throughout. There will be some changes there soon though because I'm planning some automation.
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Re: RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

Post by RubberToe » Fri Dec 01, 2017 11:02 am

Testing the whirlpool arm... here I'm transferring water from my MT through the whirlpool port which is why the water level is still below the arm. Anyway, it seemed to work well.

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Re: RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

Post by RubberToe » Sat Dec 02, 2017 1:01 pm

Here are some boring videos testing boiling various volumes at different outputs.

Boil 75l with 6000W @ 90% output (time cycle of 2 seconds).



Boil 75l with 6000W @ 100% output.



Boil 100l with 6000W @ 100%. Second video is after another minute or so when the boil seemed harder.




I'm happy with the results. If I'm not mistaken, boiling wort will be a bit more vigorous due to the chemical makeup.
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Re: RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

Post by RubberToe » Sat Dec 02, 2017 1:13 pm

Chilling 100 litres to pitching temperature in 6 minutes!!

Ok, so that's the chiller output but still... I think this is the best chilling rate I've ever achieved.

What do I have going on here?

I'm recirculating the boil kettle through my counterflow chiller. This is something I do with every brew as it helps lower the bulk temperature so the chiller output can get to pitching temp. My CFC is copper, 25 foot, and homemade.

Something I've noticed with using my CFC is that after the first few minutes the output WATER temp goes from piping hot (initially of course) to just warm. I have to throttle back the water flow and / or wort flow to not waste water as I wait for the bulk temp to drop enough so that the CFC output is at yeast pitching temp.

I now have a HERMS coil in my BK... why not put it to use? I designed my plumbing / pump manifold so I can route the CFC water output through the HERMS coil to act as an immersion chiller. In this case the HERMS output is directed to the drain (or clothes washer). I didn't want to post about this idea until I ran a test, so here it is!

Real time, chilling 100l. Brew day should be even faster since my end of boil volume for a 20 gallon batch will be between 80 - 86l.


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Re: RubberToe Electric Brewery - BIAB to 2 Vessel HERMS

Post by jeffsmith » Sun Dec 03, 2017 12:21 pm

Looking good Rob! I chill the same way. Made the mistake the other day of getting everything a little too cold (15°C on the way to the fermenter).


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