Hi mate Im looking for some advice. I have been given a boiler which my cousin made from a 60l food safe bucket with a 3Kw element in the side/bottom. He intended to to BIAB with it but didn't get around to doing it. The element is fitted via a mechanical flange. I am concerned about the weight of the grain pressing down on the element and putting stress on the flange/ side walls of the boiler. The element is installed higher up than is probably ideal. Also the buckets sides slope outwards so due to this the element sticks up into the middle even more. I could hang the bag just shy of the element but I cant see how I would stir the grain without a the bag and the contents resting on a solid base.
He considered a false bottom of sorts which would keep the bag away from the element and give a solid base for stirring the grains but I am struggling to think of how to knock one up. The bottom of a 60l bucket is pretty wide! All I can think of at the moment is a large pizza tray with some sort of legs attached to it. What could use for legs though? How could I attach them? The legs would need to be pretty big though as the space between the bottom of the bucket and the top of the element must be 20cm or more.
I have a grain bill all ready to go as soon as I figure this out so I just need a little help to figure this out first. Thanks in advance for any input.
60L DIY Boiler problems
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Beer O'Clock
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Re: 60L DIY Boiler problems
As I was reading your post, I was thinking Pizza tray. Then you type pizza tray. Brilliant minds etc.
I would look at something foodsafe and solid for legs. Silicon or glass blocks would work. Make them wide enough for stability and tall enough to clear the element.
I have had a couple on my way home so I am sure there are others (thinking clearer) who will have better suggestions. 60 litres is an ideal size for BIAB. Plenty of space for mashing/boiling, so finding a solution would be better than replacing.
I would look at something foodsafe and solid for legs. Silicon or glass blocks would work. Make them wide enough for stability and tall enough to clear the element.
I have had a couple on my way home so I am sure there are others (thinking clearer) who will have better suggestions. 60 litres is an ideal size for BIAB. Plenty of space for mashing/boiling, so finding a solution would be better than replacing.
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EoinMag
Re: 60L DIY Boiler problems
I have a bread rack here that is round and would fit my 60l fermenter to do the job you're talking about. I was considering commissioning a stainless grill on legs for myself from an ironworkshop that I know.
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superhans
Re: 60L DIY Boiler problems
I'm now thinking bread rack/pizza tray is defo the way to go.
Glass blocks - would they be expensive? They would have to be pretty big to clear the top of the element and therefore would use a lot of space/displace a fair amount of water. This may or may not be a problem. My other concern is the amount of dead space below the element during the mash. If I was to use big blocks to raise the rack above the element as suggested they would minimise the dead space 'problem' should it actually be a problem.
Another idea I had was legs made of copper pipe. These could prove a bit costly and difficult to attach though???
Any more input welcome
. Thanks!
Glass blocks - would they be expensive? They would have to be pretty big to clear the top of the element and therefore would use a lot of space/displace a fair amount of water. This may or may not be a problem. My other concern is the amount of dead space below the element during the mash. If I was to use big blocks to raise the rack above the element as suggested they would minimise the dead space 'problem' should it actually be a problem.
Another idea I had was legs made of copper pipe. These could prove a bit costly and difficult to attach though???
Any more input welcome
. Thanks!-
superhans
Re: 60L DIY Boiler problems
That could be the one mate! Or at that price even 3 of them equally spaced for total stability.
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superhans
Re: 60L DIY Boiler problems
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AGA-COOKSHOP- ... 2063wt_982
This hung by chains from the rim using hooks may be better than legs/blocks??? I could easily remove the rack then after the mash is complete. the rack could also be usind to put over the top of a spare bucket to collect the wort left in the bag.
What you reckon to this?
This hung by chains from the rim using hooks may be better than legs/blocks??? I could easily remove the rack then after the mash is complete. the rack could also be usind to put over the top of a spare bucket to collect the wort left in the bag.
What you reckon to this?
