Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jonathan Brown on June 18, 2009 at 9:38am

I just finished my second grain grinder, complete with a 20lb grain hopper, 1/2 hp motor and chute to drop it in the mash tun. My project before that was a half barrel keg conversion into a boil kettle. I think next year my computer engineer buddy and I are going to try to make a fully automated horizontal brewing setup.

Permalink Reply by Adam Dehner on June 18, 2009 at 9:55am

Awesome! You wouldn't have any plans for the grinder, would you? I've got a keggle, and will also be building either a vertical or three tier next year as I'll be working at a technical school that happens to have welding classes!

Permalink Reply by Jonathan Brown on June 19, 2009 at 11:51am

I don't have plans for the grinder right now. I was working on them and my company took all my modeling and drawing software away from me. However, I am working on a writeup complete with technical (hopefully correct) drawings. I would be happy to send it to you when I get it finished.

Permalink Reply by Adam Dehner on June 19, 2009 at 4:54pm

That would be great. Why did your company take your modeling and drawing software away?

Permalink Reply by Jonathan Brown on June 22, 2009 at 9:51am

well, we are in the middle of a huge downsize and no one knows when the axe is going to get them or their department. There are quite a few goings on here that don't make a whole heck of a lot of sense. I am an engineer in R&D!! Why I am not allowed to model new designs is beyond me. The new policy is that if you are not under the umbrella of the "engineering department" you don't get such frivolous things. I mean what is the point of me doing effective work anyway? Thanks all you bean counters.
Sorry, I have not vented to anyone about all this until just now and you were in the path. Thanks for caring enough to ask tough.

Permalink Reply by Adam Dehner on June 22, 2009 at 10:29am

No worries, venting is good for the soul. The bean counters and lawyers have taken over and little makes sense anymore. It is ironic that the very disciplines that were created to describe and make sense of society are now instrumental in running it. Talk about the tail wagging the dog!

Permalink Reply by Andrew Sousa on December 18, 2009 at 9:32am

any plans/advice for making a good wort chiller?

Permalink Reply by Adam Dehner on December 18, 2009 at 9:51am

YES! I made a counterflow wort chiller and had a blast doing it. I used the plans found at this site:

http://www.thegatesofdawn.ca/wordpress/homebrewing/wort_chiller/

Read it through and let me know if you have any questions.

Permalink Reply by Andrew Sousa on December 18, 2009 at 10:02am

Wow what a great find! All the ones I found were all copper and I didn't want to deal with having to bend all that copper. How is the heat conductivity with the hose?

Permalink Reply by Adam Dehner on December 18, 2009 at 10:05am

Unfortunately for you, there is a coil of copper INSIDE the hose. The water flows in the opposite direction of the hot wort (works even better with a March 809 pump!). The wort never touches the hose, but instead transfers the heat through the copper to the water in the hose. The design is such that there is always the greatest differential between the temperatures at the point of contact. Mine works so well that the wort comes out at around 50 degrees and the hose water exits at a scalding 180-200 degrees!

That being said, bending the copper is EASY! The challenge is the welding, which was fun to learn.

Permalink Reply by Andrew Sousa on December 18, 2009 at 10:14am

OOOOOHHHHHH. I see. I clearly didn't read it very thoroughly haha. But it does sound very efficient. Sounds like a great weekend project. I'll let you know how it comes out. Thanks again for the link!