The Bread Maker

[barneey]

I've been in contact with a chap called Lael on Aussie Homebrew. He has kits available for the Arduino based Matho controller. I'm going to get one, I reckon. I just thought I'd let other people know. This is what Lael replied to me:

I do still have them! Where are you located? I've also sourced the buttons and connectors needed for the control box, which should make it easier to get the build done.

Total cost for the shield kit, arduino and the controller parts is 105aud. Depending on where you are it may be best to get multiple kits. It is usually the case that once someone has one, their brewing friends want one too... And postage from Aus is unfortunately normally around 30aud.

Seems like a good deal, if I were you I would get the whole kit / not just parts. Never know you might get some one on here interested to share the postage......

[Zebra]

@zebra - i have just (as in 2 days ago) just finished building one - building the pcb is an ok job if your handy with a soldering iron, the build itself is a lot easier if you have a dremel on hand.

Congratulations! Got a Dremel type thing and I'm ok with a soldering iron so fingers crossed. Will this weekend be you first brew then?

[Zebra]

Ha! I've just sent Lael a PM too! I'm going to order a kit and will just take the hit on the postage as I don't know anyone round here (Southampton) who also wants one. Would be great if you got one too then we can compare build notes!

After several iterations and false starts I've decided to use a 38.5 litre thermo pot to make a single vessel BM clone using a bendable element (something like this http://www.expresscateringspares.co.uk/ ... 94-1-0.htm) and a 12v solar project pump. How about you?

I'm still thinking about the vessels. I've been looking at doing it the same way as Barneey and have emailed the chaps that made his mash tube asking for rough costs but I haven't had a reply so I'm not ruling out other methods. The advantage of using the same outer as Barneey (as I see it) is that it comes with the element. They're showing as £999 on EBay at present but I guess that's just because they're out of stock. I do like the idea of an isolated pot though, given the ridiculous price of electricity. I'll have a look at the link you've pasted and, yes, we'll certainly compare notes. Pity we not closer, you couldn't really call Southampton and Preston close, could you?

[Zebra]

Barneey, I agree, I'll get the whole kit. It does seem a good deal doesn't it?

[bonzo]

Zebra,

There are other cheaper straight rod elements and brass glands out there if you shop around, eg on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GL06-GLAND-KI ... 1e5cb5a5f8

I also got in touch with TP Fay elements who quoted to pre-bend a suitable element and fit SS compression fittings instead of brass but that worked out around the £80 mark.

Re the malt tube, I wondered if, with a bit of work, something might be fashioned from a suitably sized stainless steel pedal bin like the ones you see in Tesco and Homebase for £20ish. Only problem is finding something of a suitable diameter (around 27cm) and the fact that the steel won't be food grade.

Might also be worth enquiring whether you can order an original BM malt tube from somewhere like brauundrauch for less than it costs to manufacture a one-off?

[barneey]

No Idea if the person who made mine is still willing to make a malt tube, however the cost did include the top and bottom false bottoms.

[mojonojo]

@zebra - i have just (as in 2 days ago) just finished building one - building the pcb is an ok job if your handy with a soldering iron, the build itself is a lot easier if you have a dremel on hand.

Congratulations! Got a Dremel type thing and I'm ok with a soldering iron so fingers crossed. Will this weekend be you first brew then?

no time this weekend, but hope by next weekend if i can get some plumbing sorted during the week (fingers xed)

[Zebra]

Hello,
Has anyone got an idea how to fit a 6mm OD temperature probe through the side of a stainless steel vessel please?

[barneey]

The easiest way to do it would be to mount the thing in thermowell.

Ask Mark if this one is suitable

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/homebrew-stai ... 43c99c89bc

[Zebra]

I suspect you're probably right, I've been looking all over the place and have found nothing else yet. I just thought I'd check, thanks for the reply.

[mojonojo]

if you are looking for a 18b20 sensor - try one of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3m-Digital-Th ... 0699845438

[Zebra]

Thanks, I'll have a look.

[Brewer]

I am close to starting to build 1 of these but only thing putting me off is getting my hands on the malt tube part..

Can anyone advise me on how to get 1? Or maybe advise on something similar to this?

[Zebra]

If you hold your horses for a few days, I'll post some pictures of how I'm building mine (not that I'm saying my way is the best way). Basically, it's a modified stainless steel pan. I was going to drill loads of holes in the bottom, and went so far as making a template. I started...... then the realisation that I'd forgotten to take into account how to drill stainless - slow, with lube. I gave up, it would have taken ages. So, I'm now cutting a hole in the bottom of the pan and fixing a piece of perforated stainless over the hole. My system will be clamped from the top, rather than clamped via a central bar. It'll be obvious with pictures, but it's a bit hard to explain without them. I'm having a stand made, at the moment, so all the bits are at the fabricator, which is why I can't take the photos right now. Watch this space!

[bonzo]

Brewer

On the original BM 20L model, the dimensions are mash tube: 27cm diameter x 36cm height (of which the bottom 30mm or so under the perforated bottom is void), and kettle: 35cm diameter x 42cm height approx. Depending on the size of system you want to build you might be able to find two pots in that approximate ratio to one another and do what Zebra is doing (ie cut a hole in the bottom of the inner pot, stick some perforated steel over and find a means of sealing the base).

If you're looking to build something using a catering urn like Barneey's then one (expensive!) option is to buy a genuine BM malt tube for the 20L system from somewhere like brewuk or Vigo but you're looking at around £95 + VAT & del. Otherwise, you could approach a fabricator with a plan and get a quote to have one made up, although you're probably looking at a similar cost.