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malric
Joined: 24 Nov 2011 Posts: 4
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Link Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 3:03 pm Post subject: Upcoming build questions |
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Hey guys and gals,
I'm in the planning stage for a modified Kal build. I'm planning on 5 gallon batches in 10 gallon Blichmann kettles. Hopefully you guys can help with a couple questions.
1. I'm planning a 5 gallon, 3 vessel, 2 element setup. Has anyone done this with 240v 3000 or 4500w. Any advice?
2. Has anyone had element rust issues using Kals weldless element setup?
3. Is there an easy compiled list of Blichmann orings? Ie. McMaster links?
4. I'm planning a full stainless system. Are cam lock quick disconnects the best route?
Thanks
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silverspoons
Joined: 21 Dec 2010 Posts: 555 Location: Webster NY
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Link Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Malric
i have the system you describe with a few modifications.. i do 5 or 5.5 gal batches, i have 3 Bayou SS kettles.
i did experience a small amount of rust in my HLT but solved that problem by adding a magnesium anode used in an RV water heater. it is well documented in a thread about rust.
i use my counterflow chiller as both my heat exchanger to recirculate my mash and to cool my boiled wort, therefore eliminating the need for the SS coin in the HLT. it works great, ( brewing at this moment ), i have between 1 and 2 degree heat lose in all the hoses and with the fact that my CFC is hanging under the table and is exposed to the 68 degree air temps in my basement. i just set my HLT temp to 153 to mash at 152.
i do also use cam locks. one reason was that when i was building my system last winter the quick releases Kal uses were backordered for several weeks and the price of the cam locks is considerable less.. they do require two hands to operate though.
good luck with the build, building the system is a great experience and using it is beyond fun!
Silverspoons
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malric
Joined: 24 Nov 2011 Posts: 4
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kal Forum Administrator
Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 11121 Location: Ottawa, Canada
Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter
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Link Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:20 pm Post subject: |
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silverspoons wrote: | good luck with the build, building the system is a great experience and using it is beyond fun! |
If using it is beyond fun, what about drinking the results??
malric wrote: | 1. I'm planning a 5 gallon, 3 vessel, 2 element setup. Has anyone done this with 240v 3000 or 4500w. Any advice? |
Are you 100% sure you never want to go beyond 5 gallon batches? Going to 10 gallon batches buy using 20 gallon kettles isn't much more expensive and you can still do 5 gallon batches if you want to. You can't do the opposite. No issues using 5500W elements in 5 gallon batches. Just faster ramp times and short time to get to boil.
Quote: | 3. Is there an easy compiled list of Blichmann orings? Ie. McMaster links? |
Why do you ask? Blichmann kettles come with o-rings for their parts already included. To attach the parts from my instructions us the o-rings I recommend. Links to McMaster are provided.
Quote: | 4. I'm planning a full stainless system. Are cam lock quick disconnects the best route? |
I like the QDs I use in my build as documented because they're easier to operate. I chose them over all other fitting methods including camlocks and triclamps. YMMV.
Here's a video of how easy they are to use:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCMz7Pmu8YQ&feature=player_embedded
Kal
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My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
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malric
Joined: 24 Nov 2011 Posts: 4
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Link Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 4:39 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Kal. I recently ripped one of the stock ball valve orings and figured it would be wise to have replacements for all of them. I must have missed the oring info in your build. Not sure how that happened given how small it is.
I'm not positive that I'll ever exceed 5 gallons as I'm the only beer drinker in my household. Beyond that, small batches mean more brew days, more experiments and smaller quantity mistakes. I also picked up 2 Blichmann kettles cheap from another home brewer that was downsizing to 2.5 gallon stovetop AG.
Have you tested the length and seal on the 5500w element in the 10 gallon kettle? I've read issues regarding the length of the element and the curvature of the kettle wall.
That you for your build and constant input to the community.
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kal Forum Administrator
Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 11121 Location: Ottawa, Canada
Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter
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malric
Joined: 24 Nov 2011 Posts: 4
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Link Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Kal.
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silverspoons
Joined: 21 Dec 2010 Posts: 555 Location: Webster NY
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Holter
Joined: 07 Oct 2011 Posts: 221 Location: Los Angeles, Ca
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Link Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 3:42 am Post subject: |
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Silverspoons-
After a year, what does the anode look like? Does it degrade at all over time?
_________________ Holter
LABeerFan.com
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silverspoons
Joined: 21 Dec 2010 Posts: 555 Location: Webster NY
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Link Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 2:30 pm Post subject: |
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i'm sure over time it will degrade but if you do a batch every other week, its "under" water for about 80 hours in a year, not like its sitting in a water heater working all the time. mine looks pretty much like when it was installed with very little change.
Silverspoons
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ddc69
Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Posts: 118 Location: Parkersburg, WV
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Link Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 6:01 pm Post subject: size |
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silverspoons,
Is this 1/2" pipe thread? I am wanting to buy one and order a nut and washers at the same time. I'm assuming you used the 9/16" punch.
Thanks
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foomench
Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Posts: 704 Location: Longmont, CO
Drinking: Pinot barrel aged quad
Working on: Flanders oude bruin in barrel, Flanders red fermenting to refill the barrel
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Link Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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malric wrote: | Beyond that, small batches mean more brew days, more experiments and smaller quantity mistakes. |
10 gallon batches mean more experiments, or experiments with a control I did 10 gallons of California common once, did half as an open ferment, half in a carboy. Split another 10 and pitched two different yeasts. Made a wheat with calendula flowers. "Dry flowered" half with flower petals out of the bag, and for the other half I made a tea with the flowers and a 15 minute boil. Boy I'm glad I didn't do the untreated thing for all 10 gallons, as the non-tea version got infected.
Jus' sayin'
_________________ Brewery equipment photos (et al) here: https://picasaweb.google.com/114861423235799103704
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Ben58
Joined: 14 Aug 2011 Posts: 409 Location: Hamilton, Ontario
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Link Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 9:13 pm Post subject: Re: size |
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ddc69 wrote: | silverspoons,
Is this 1/2" pipe thread? I am wanting to buy one and order a nut and washers at the same time. I'm assuming you used the 9/16" punch.
Thanks |
If the thread is 1/2" pipe, that would be the 13/16" punch.
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