Lock Down HERMS Build

[WalesAles]

D4V
I thought I had enough kit as a kit brewer, but I need a Tig welder, just in case.
Don`t tell MrsAles!

Great post on the build.

WA

[Kev888]

I thought I had enough kit as a kit brewer, but I need a Tig welder, just in case.

I bought a TIG welder some years back, I'm fairly handy so had visions of some practice then welding up my own conicals and so on.

In fairness I made progress, and could do a pretty decent job on frames, brackets and so on. But after two argon cylinders of learning... thin material or smooth, properly hygienic welding were still something of a dream - especially together! Not a patch on the work shown here; it is deceptively easy!

[D4V33]

Cheers guys. I’m not a welder to trade, but lucky to work along side some very good welders who’ve shown me enough to get by. Got myself a small tig setup and practice on projects like this one, making gym equipment, chiminea log burners etc.
Too many hobbies, not a big enough shed lol

[D4V33]

Ripple element arrived the other day, so dug out some fittings to convert the connection from BSPP to a tri-clamp fitting so, that it can be easily removed. I’m not keen on the idea of having to unscrew the nut every time I want to take it out for cleaning.

[D4V33]

Plan is to hole saw the keg and weld the tri-clamp fitting in place tonight. Get it all fitted together and then go back to waiting on the hoses and quick disconnects and switches arriving

Next to nothing left to do once the last of the parts arrive, other than test it out!

[Kev888]

Looks nice!
The watt density of that element should be low enough to (usually) avoid baking stuff hard on, so cleaning should be doubly easy if you can remove it first.

The triclamp seems like a good call too. The back-nuts themselves aren't too bad in that size, but of course triclamps and especially their seals are purposely designed for regular removal and refitting.

If you're not going to unscrew the element at all though, I might consider sealing the threads with something like LS-X just to avoid any chance of crud building up in them. It obviously isn't as sensitive as a fermenter, but for me hygiene is rarely a bad thing in this sort of application.

[D4V33]

Cheers Kev, will look into the LS-X. The good thing about fitting the tri-clamp is that it moves all the threaded parts to the outside of the keg.

[D4V33]

Just noticed an email saying that my silicone hoses and quick connections are due for delivery on Monday from KegKingdom , so will have everything in place except a false bottom for the mash tun unless some miracle happens and brewuk get round to sending the order I placed 31 days ago or show some decency and grant me the Refund I keep asking them for! I won’t hold my breath though as their not even responding to emails now.

[D4V33]

Tri-clamp welded to the keg and element fitted this morning.

[joe1002]

Very neat, I’ve enjoyed reading this.

[Haydnexport]

That bkeg weld is pretty nice mate, and i bet the inside was a right pita !

[D4V33]

That bkeg weld is pretty nice mate, and i bet the inside was a right pita !

Cheers and yes lol

[D4V33]

Managed to speak with someone again from BrewUk about the 12” false bottom I ordered on the 16th of April (about 5 weeks ago). Took about 3 week for the first delivery which was the wrong item, then on the 4th of this month they said they would post a replacement which never arrived. So this time they said they would post yet another and I would receive it on Tuesday or Wednesday. Yet again nothing has arrived.

I don’t know how many emails I’ve sent requesting my money back, but never get a reply.

I understand delivery’s are slow just now, but these guys are just taking the Micky.

I should be racking my beer by now, but they yeast still in the fridge lol

Anyways, rant over LOL

[D4V33]

Here’s hoping the lock down relaxes soon so I can go fishing or something, otherwise I’m going to end up building a full scale brewery by the end of it lol

[D4V33]

Got some pale extract, cascade and citra hop to play with this weekend. Will let me test the kettle out while waiting on the false bottom arriving.