The Bread Maker

[dean_wales]

Absolutely nowhere in the UK stocks the flue pipe and the German seller wont ship to the UK. Bummer. Any ideas?

I have asked Vigo to quote for the malt tubes, they are being a bit slow but I expect this will be the option I go for.

Dean.

[aamcle]

http://www.flues.co.uk

I'm after bit of 10".


Aamcle.

P's phone them!

[dean_wales]

Nowhere does the single skin, 14 inch, single wall stainless flue pipe.

I feel like I have asked everywhere!

Dean.

[dean_wales]

Vigo have confirmed they can provide the 50L malt tube either from stock or fairly easily if not, just waiting on final price. If it is really expensive I am going to be a bit stuck, especially as I would like both the long and short tube!

Anyway the best attempt at getting the pump to match the original BM ones is those Lowara ones right? Where did you get yours? I cant find them. The alternative is the Dc pumps going under many names but mostly TD5. They look good although you can't as easily remove the head for cleaning. The question also of whether to use one or two?!

Also are there different suppliers of the bendy elements? I am keen to find a stainless steel or at least stainless looking version. I can only find the regular black/copper looking ones.

Dean.

[barneey]

http://www.pumpendiscounter.de/ for the pumps

Bendy elements (bend your own) I have only seen in the black/copper type, however I do have a MrL stainless ring element, like those of the BM but its too small for the 50l MT.

[Pinto]

Im guessing that any true stainless sheathed element would need to be mechanically mandrel bent given the unworkability of the material. Besides, there are many hundreds of thousands of catering bain maries, heaters and cookers running happily with the blackrod elements in them. Not like you'll have to stare at them throughtout the brewing process

Nowhere does the single skin, 14 inch, single wall stainless flue pipe.

I feel like I have asked everywhere!

Dean.

Go speak to your local sheet metal fabricator - they will have bending rolls, and can make a plate stainless cylinder of near every diameter and depth you could need....

[dean_wales]

Thanks for the link to the German pump site. There are a whole host of Lowara pumps on there - which model did you go for? They all look different to yours. I am reluctant to commit to two expensive pumps. Getting one beefier one would be a cheaper option than buying two lesser ones, and there would be less fittings and would surely suffice? Surely?

I saw a 'shiny' bendable element in an Aussie build but can't find it now. Never mind. I still haven't decided what arrangement would be best for the elements. It seems that BM have both elements outside the malt tube? Can you confirm? They also go around roughly 1.5 times. Does that add strength or just lower the watt density - there isn't going to be much room in my build. The malt tube is roughly 35cm diameter and the pot 45cm, so the elements need to be approx 40cm diameter or 125cm in circumference. Loads of coils will be a pain. I am tempted to go with two of these 120cm long 3kw elements. The watt density may be higher than is ideal but fitting will be easier. Both making a near complete circle shaped to be right down tight to the base of the pot. Thoughts?


I still haven't settled on a solution for a hop filter and/or drain tap/pick up. A bottom drain would make sense and minimize dead space / aid cleaning. I love the look of the Lauterhexe but might go with something more traditional. I am intending for whatever it is to form a ring on the base within the malt tube. I use both pellet and whole hops and really don't like spiders or bags.



Dean.

PS - A seller metalsheets on eBay has confirmed he can provide this stuff in pre-cut 346mm discs to match the malt tube (or whatever its ID turns out to be) for £68 delivered, which isnt much more than the cost of buying it uncut. They would be thinner than the originals but nowhere seems to sell 3mm perforated that thick. Just waiting for them to confirm if that is a perfect laser cut circle as expected.

[barneey]

£68.00 can you not just buy an original screen for that sort of price?

[dean_wales]

I know! Huge sheets of perforated stainless can be had so cheaply but small quantities are a rip off.

Nevermind thougj. As of by magic my quotes have just come in from Vigo.

Will post later from PC.

[dean_wales]

Interestingly the filter plates are 'only' £33 plus VAT for the pair. I may buy rather than fabricate those - the sheet and fitting would cost nearly that before you even get into the cutting.

The malt tubes are frigging pricey though! Why on earth is the short one dearer?

Further to our telephone conversation last week, we have now received an update from Speidel in Germany, we can offer as follows:

Braumeister 50 litre malt pipe (79328)
Vigo stock code: TBA
Price: £68.90 + VAT
Lead-time: approx. 3 weeks from receipt of payment

Braumeister shortened malt pipe for 50 litre (79263)
Vigo stock code: 93017
Price: £83.33 + VAT
Lead-time: available from Vigo stock

Braumeister filter support for 50 litre x2 (75123)
Vigo stock code: TBA
Price: £33.33 + VAT
Lead-time: approx. 3 weeks from receipt of payment

Braumeister Malt Pipe Seal for 50 Litre (75113)
Vigo stock code: 93085
Price: £20.00 + VAT
Lead-time: available from Vigo stock

Shipping: £8.50 + VAT

[barneey]

http://www.brewuk.co.uk/equipment.html?cat=211

[dean_wales]

They only seem to stock the short tube online and the email they sent me quoting for the rest makes almost no sense!

At least Vigo have been OK to deal with. Strange though that Brew UK are slightly cheaper when I think Vigo are the official chaps in the UK?

Dean.

[barneey]

It should still work out cheaper for the seal + short malt tube, from brewUK even with postage. Iw ould imagine once they find out what the original 50 MT are being used for they might think twice about selling them.

[dean_wales]

The malt tube includes the orange seal apparently. They have given a price as I asked for one not knowing that.

I think I might just get the long malt tube and plates ordered.

[dean_wales]

I'm torn on the Lowara pumps. The ability to remove the head by hand for cleaning is great but at 217 euros or £160 all in for a pair I am just not sure they are the best option / value for money when there are so many options.

The manual is here: http://www.techtranspt.com/data/files/ecocirc_e1.pdf

The fancy floating rotor sounds good at avoiding blockages but only 9W? Surely one bigger pump would be better/cheaper?!

Dean.