New BIAB one pot system

A forum to discuss one pot automated brewing systems.
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Andy
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New BIAB one pot system

Post by Andy » Sun Jan 24, 2016 6:14 pm

I've recently started putting together a small one pot system for my brother.

It's using a Tchibo Mulled Wine heater (very similar to the old Lidl jam/mulled wine vessels used on here), 29L capacity with a integral 1800W plate heater.
The plan is to leave the pot largely alone, can't start drilling it as it's enamelled.
I'll be building a control unit which will be arduino based, running an improved* (IMO) version of Open Ardbir.
I'll be recirculating during mash in, mashing and mash out stages, a 12v solar pump will be handing that, speed control using PWM.
Digital temp sensor (ds18b20) will be fitted to a stainless tee on the exterior of the pot, between the pot and the outlet tap.

Progress so far:

Existing plastic tap removed from pot and replaced with stainless version.
Hop manifold built and fitted to interior compression fitting.
Camping mat jacket for pot outer made.
Compression fitting drilled out to accept ds18b20 probe into stainless tee piece
Arduino s/w running on a testbed with ds18b20, keypad, 20x4 LCD display and LEDs simulating pump, heater, buzzer. Running nicely on an Arduino UNO with some minor issues resolved.

To Do
Source enclosure for controller and fit it out with Arduino, LCD display, keypad, PSU, SSR, buzzer, LEDs, temp sensor connector, connections for heating element and pump
Wire it all up and brew!

Future
Move software platform from Arduino to ESP8266 (currently compiles and runs on it) and add wireless control / over the air firmware update
Possibly add a flow meter to the system for the initial filling if the pot with water

I'm looking to do an initial test next w/e without the controller, just to make sure the pot is actually usable :)


Pics to follow.




* improved in implementation terms, still provides the same level of functionality but is technically more elegant.
Dan!

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Jim
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Re: New BIAB one pot system

Post by Jim » Sun Jan 24, 2016 7:13 pm

Nice!

Are you getting some kind of malt pipe for it?
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Andy
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Re: New BIAB one pot system

Post by Andy » Sun Jan 24, 2016 7:16 pm

Jim wrote:Nice!

Are you getting some kind of malt pipe for it?

BIAB so.... a bag :)
Dan!

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Re: New BIAB one pot system

Post by Jim » Sun Jan 24, 2016 8:05 pm

Oh, should have read the title!
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Kev888
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Re: New BIAB one pot system

Post by Kev888 » Mon Jan 25, 2016 1:17 pm

Sounds interesting, Andy. I'm especially looking forward to seeing the control unit.

Just one minor thought, if the plan is to heat whilst the grain is in, some kind of rack or stand to keep the bag and grain from contact with the element could be worth consideration (unless the wine heater already has something).

Cheers
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Andy
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Re: New BIAB one pot system

Post by Andy » Mon Jan 25, 2016 1:32 pm

Kev888 wrote:Sounds interesting, Andy. I'm especially looking forward to seeing the control unit.

Just one minor thought, if the plan is to heat whilst the grain is in, some kind of rack or stand to keep the bag and grain from contact with the element could be worth consideration (unless the wine heater already has something).

Cheers
Kev

The pot came with a plastic coated wire rack so already got that sorted :)
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Kev888
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Re: New BIAB one pot system

Post by Kev888 » Mon Jan 25, 2016 1:45 pm

Ah, good stuff.

Looking forward to the pics!
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kinnockthecat

Re: New BIAB one pot system

Post by kinnockthecat » Wed Feb 03, 2016 11:13 am

I've been privileged to see the system and it's looking quite good!!

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Andy
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Re: New BIAB one pot system

Post by Andy » Wed Feb 03, 2016 11:30 am

Whaddya mean *quite* good! :wink:
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Re: New BIAB one pot system

Post by kinnockthecat » Wed Feb 03, 2016 3:01 pm

Andy wrote:Whaddya mean *quite* good! :wink:
Ok! Ok! Looking very very good!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D

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Re: New BIAB one pot system

Post by aamcle » Wed Feb 03, 2016 5:05 pm

There is a "maybe a problem" if the bag fits side to side touching the walls the flow rate through it may well be too slow to make it all work.

In most recirculating BIAB systems the bag is held off the wall by some sort of basket so there is adequate flow through.


Good Luck. Aamcle
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