Sight tubes on HLT

[ashbyp]

I am about to build a HLT from a stockpot.

Do people find sight tubes useful?

[jonnyv]

I'm about to add one to my plastic HLT - I've just insulated it with camping mats so can't see the graduations I'd marked on the side.

My last brew was a bit of guess work when it came to the liquor for the mash and batch sparges

[ashbyp]

OK - I guess I was just thinking that since I've got to move it from shed-to-kitchen and kitchen-to-shed all the time that the slight tube would probably get bashed about and broken, and maybe a dipstick or something might be an alternative...

[jonnyv]

Check out this post from Vossy - he used polycarbonate for the tubing which is supposed to be mighty strong.

I went for acrylic since it was a lot cheaper and it's only going to be on my HLT, not boiler.

// edit: Also I don't move the HLT once it's got liquor in it, so it won't get bashed about as much (I hope).

[ashbyp]

Thanks - I'm actually basing my HLT on Vossy's excellent guide.

But deciding whether to skip adding the sight tube or not. Probably will..

(Actually mine will be 50l and I'm going to try getting it to boil on the massive "wok ring' on our fancy french range cooker. If that doesn't work in a reasonable time I'll add the elements too).

[maltymike]

My HLT is a burco with a sight glass as per vossy. It makes it so easy for running the right amount of water into the mash tun, particularly if you are batch sparging.

[ashbyp]

OK, thats two votes for the sight tube - I'll add that to me bits an pieces order. Thanks chaps.

[Garth]

If you are interested I can supply all the bits required for a sight glass, it uses practically all the bits as per Vossy's excellent guide, it is at cost price to you and will save you postage getting the bits from various places,

the kit comprises of a 50cm piece of polycarbonate,
2x JG fittings,
2x stainless 90 degree elbows,
2x brass nipples,
2x fibre washers
2x stainless locknuts,

all you need after that is some pfte tape and a suitable hole saw.

if you or anyone else is interested then pm me.

[Aleman]

I'd vote for a sight tube as well. Here's a tip, fit yourself two O Rings on the tube, then once you have marked the tube to graduate it, all you need to do is move the upper o ring to the mark for total volume, and the lower O ring to the mark for the sparge liquor. makes for easy dispense of the mash liquor (From top ring to lower ring) and then the sparge liquor . . . If like me you tend to over fill the HLT then you can add a third ring to mark the end fo the Sparge liquor.

[Andy]

Garth - do you do partial kits ? I just need the JG fittings and the polycarb tube as already have the other bits.

[Garth]

of course Andy, and postage will be a lot less as there's no metal.

I usually order 12mm O/D polycarbonate tube mated with a 12mm x 1/2" JG fitting, that ok?

[Andy]

of course Andy, and postage will be a lot less as there's no metal.

I usually order 12mm O/D polycarbonate tube mated with a 12mm x 1/2" JG fitting, that ok?

Coolio, I've got the 1/2" elbows, running nipples and locknuts already so the 12mm JG fittings + tube would be just the ticket. I'll check my inventory and PM you

[ashbyp]

I'd vote for a sight tube as well. Here's a tip, fit yourself two O Rings on the tube, then once you have marked the tube to graduate it, all you need to do is move the upper o ring to the mark for total volume, and the lower O ring to the mark for the sparge liquor. makes for easy dispense of the mash liquor (From top ring to lower ring) and then the sparge liquor . . . If like me you tend to over fill the HLT then you can add a third ring to mark the end fo the Sparge liquor.

ooo - nice advice. Next question. Would you also recommend a sight tube on tne boilder? I'm thinking it would be hard to clean....

[Aleman]

Would you also recommend a sight tube on tne boilder? I'm thinking it would be hard to clean....

.

I have on mine, It's not really a big deal to clean, Generally I just flush it out with water from the hose as I'm cleaning the kettles. Once a year I dismantle and soak the sight glasses in hot caustic (They are pyrex tubes).

I'll be fitting sight tubes to my HLT, Boiler and (Probably) FV in the femtobrewery which is constructed completely of thermoboxes . . . I'm still debating about the FV as its got to be easy to clean and sanitise, and I'm not to sure it would be . . . although I have fitted one to my 100L FV

[Vossy1]

I've got sight tubes on boiler and HLT and find them invaluable