ALVAmeister

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cqout
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ALVAmeister

Post by cqout » Sat Jan 30, 2016 3:00 pm

I have finally had time to make and test my ALVAmeister

It is a braumeister clone using an ALVA controller

It is built using a 50l bergland pot
3kw bendable element
20l genuine malt pipe, filters, and center rod
Chugger pump
Stand made using unistrut

Initial testing went very well and is perfect
It took about 50 minutes to heat the water to mash temp which is good considering it is freezing today :-)
I cant wait to do a brew when I have a day off


MY ALVAmeister RIG

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SHE HAS A COAT TO KEEP HER WARM :-)

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Last edited by cqout on Sat Jan 30, 2016 3:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
BossTronix 1 15 gallon pot brewery
2 x 7 gallon SS Brewtech Chronical
6 x Corny Kegs
in Keg 1 - Black Lager
in Keg 2 - Raspberryade
in Keg 3 - Devil's Backbone Clone
in Keg 4 - empty
in keg 5 - empty
in keg 6 - empty
Tap 1 - Black lager
Tap 2 - Raspberryade
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orlando
So far gone I'm on the way back again!
Posts: 7197
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 3:22 pm
Location: North Norfolk: Nearest breweries All Day Brewery, Salle. Panther, Reepham. Yetman's, Holt

Re: ALVAmeister

Post by orlando » Sat Jan 30, 2016 3:03 pm

Tell us more about the Alva. Have you had a brew with it?
I am "The Little Red Brooster"

Fermenting:
Conditioning:
Drinking: Southwold Again,

Up Next: John Barleycorn (Barley Wine)
Planning: Winter drinking Beer
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cqout
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Re: ALVAmeister

Post by cqout » Sat Jan 30, 2016 3:08 pm

The alva is a controller I got from www.alva-control.eu
I belive it is based on mathos code but not 100% in that
The user programs the steps eg mash temp, length of time, boil, hop additions

I still have to get my head arround the alva initial test has gone well :-)
BossTronix 1 15 gallon pot brewery
2 x 7 gallon SS Brewtech Chronical
6 x Corny Kegs
in Keg 1 - Black Lager
in Keg 2 - Raspberryade
in Keg 3 - Devil's Backbone Clone
in Keg 4 - empty
in keg 5 - empty
in keg 6 - empty
Tap 1 - Black lager
Tap 2 - Raspberryade
Top
Rhodesy
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Location: Glasgow

Re: ALVAmeister

Post by Rhodesy » Sat Jan 30, 2016 3:23 pm

That is impressive mate. If you don't mind me asking how much did that cost all in for parts (not including your time)?
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cqout
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Posts: 226
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:41 pm

Re: ALVAmeister

Post by cqout » Sat Jan 30, 2016 4:36 pm

I had a quick tot up - it has cost somewhere in the region of £700 - I am well pleased with it - it has worked just how I expected - it sounds like a lot of money but not compared to the cost of a real braumeister :-)
BossTronix 1 15 gallon pot brewery
2 x 7 gallon SS Brewtech Chronical
6 x Corny Kegs
in Keg 1 - Black Lager
in Keg 2 - Raspberryade
in Keg 3 - Devil's Backbone Clone
in Keg 4 - empty
in keg 5 - empty
in keg 6 - empty
Tap 1 - Black lager
Tap 2 - Raspberryade
Top
Rhodesy
Lost in an Alcoholic Haze
Posts: 681
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:09 pm
Location: Glasgow

Re: ALVAmeister

Post by Rhodesy » Sat Jan 30, 2016 6:57 pm

cqout wrote:I had a quick tot up - it has cost somewhere in the region of £700 - I am well pleased with it - it has worked just how I expected - it sounds like a lot of money but not compared to the cost of a real braumeister :-)
yeah and having a BM myself all of the extras that go with it sure add up. I also like how you have the plate chiller option and you effectively also have a bottom drain where you get rid of left over gunk also. Are you planning to use hop bags or a spider? I personally use pellets straight in the boil having one of those Italian filters
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cqout
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Re: ALVAmeister

Post by cqout » Sat Jan 30, 2016 7:43 pm

I have a stainless steel mesh hop spider from mr lard at homebrew builder - forgot to add that in the cost lol

It is scary how the cost of things add up

I already had the hop spider, chugger and unistrut and have been gradually collecting all the bits over a few months to ease the cost :-)
BossTronix 1 15 gallon pot brewery
2 x 7 gallon SS Brewtech Chronical
6 x Corny Kegs
in Keg 1 - Black Lager
in Keg 2 - Raspberryade
in Keg 3 - Devil's Backbone Clone
in Keg 4 - empty
in keg 5 - empty
in keg 6 - empty
Tap 1 - Black lager
Tap 2 - Raspberryade
Top
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barneey
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Location: East Kent

Re: ALVAmeister

Post by barneey » Sat Jan 30, 2016 8:00 pm

Is that the temperature probe near the element?
Hair of the dog, bacon, butty.
Hops, cider pips & hello.

Name the Movie + song :)
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Fil
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Re: ALVAmeister

Post by Fil » Sat Jan 30, 2016 11:21 pm

fantastic build, hope you have many happy brews with it.. the stand /base is a sturdy neat solution..
ist update for months n months..
Fermnting: not a lot..
Conditioning: nowt
Maturing: Challenger smash, and a kit lager
Drinking: dry one minikeg left in the store
Coming Soon Lots planned for the near future nowt for the immediate :(
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cqout
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Re: ALVAmeister

Post by cqout » Sun Jan 31, 2016 12:07 am

Barneey the probe is near the elememt - but i continuously pump and i checked the temps throughout and it was fine :-)
BossTronix 1 15 gallon pot brewery
2 x 7 gallon SS Brewtech Chronical
6 x Corny Kegs
in Keg 1 - Black Lager
in Keg 2 - Raspberryade
in Keg 3 - Devil's Backbone Clone
in Keg 4 - empty
in keg 5 - empty
in keg 6 - empty
Tap 1 - Black lager
Tap 2 - Raspberryade
Top
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barneey
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Location: East Kent

Re: ALVAmeister

Post by barneey » Sun Jan 31, 2016 12:58 am

Are you using a filter with the plate?
Hair of the dog, bacon, butty.
Hops, cider pips & hello.

Name the Movie + song :)
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cqout
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Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:41 pm

Re: ALVAmeister

Post by cqout » Sun Jan 31, 2016 9:37 am

The malt pipe has the spiedel filters in it so quite fine mesh and I will be using a stainless steel mesh hop spider from mr lard durring the boil so I am hoping this will be enough :-)

I am contemplating putting some beer line arriund the ourside of the spidel filters to help minimise bits escaping - what are your thoughts on that barneey?


Cheers
BossTronix 1 15 gallon pot brewery
2 x 7 gallon SS Brewtech Chronical
6 x Corny Kegs
in Keg 1 - Black Lager
in Keg 2 - Raspberryade
in Keg 3 - Devil's Backbone Clone
in Keg 4 - empty
in keg 5 - empty
in keg 6 - empty
Tap 1 - Black lager
Tap 2 - Raspberryade
Top
User avatar
barneey
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Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:42 pm
Location: East Kent

Re: ALVAmeister

Post by barneey » Sun Jan 31, 2016 9:58 am

My thoughts, based on how you have it plumb up at the moment.

1) Only have the plate plumbed in when you need it.

2) No matter what precaution is taken grist or similar brewing related material will escape into the main pot (try a brew you will see what I mean with bits floating about), this might get recirculated & pass back into the malt tube , it my however not, the only way to find out would be to drain the boiler on mash finish (something you don't want to do on a brewday)

2) Now as you have use triclover fittings, it is possible (I use them myself) to buy a gasket with an inbuilt mesh screen filter, so that anything that escapes the pot gets caught before entering the plate.

3) I have somewhat fallen out of love using brazed plates & prefer CFC's or IC's, both being easier to maintain & keep clean. All depends on how paranoid you are with keeping a plate in good condition.
Hair of the dog, bacon, butty.
Hops, cider pips & hello.

Name the Movie + song :)
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cqout
Piss Artist
Posts: 226
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:41 pm

Re: ALVAmeister

Post by cqout » Sun Jan 31, 2016 10:56 am

I will probably just try to get a brew under my belt tonsee what happens

Barneey, where did you get the gaskget with the mesh from for the triclover?

Cheers
BossTronix 1 15 gallon pot brewery
2 x 7 gallon SS Brewtech Chronical
6 x Corny Kegs
in Keg 1 - Black Lager
in Keg 2 - Raspberryade
in Keg 3 - Devil's Backbone Clone
in Keg 4 - empty
in keg 5 - empty
in keg 6 - empty
Tap 1 - Black lager
Tap 2 - Raspberryade
Top
User avatar
barneey
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Location: East Kent

Re: ALVAmeister

Post by barneey » Sun Jan 31, 2016 11:27 am

Long time since I order them but google "tri clover mesh gasket"

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/161880850931?

To get an idea of what is available

http://www.coleparmer.co.uk/Category/Pl ... kets/41403 but the site is too expensive.

I only use them for a last resort they would never replace a traditional filter due to the small area.

BTW I would take careful notes on your brew day temps, I still think your sensor is too near the element, if the temps rise quickly......
Hair of the dog, bacon, butty.
Hops, cider pips & hello.

Name the Movie + song :)
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