How about an Equipment Thread?!

Post Reply
User avatar
Dwayne_Delaney
Brewmaster
Posts: 1446
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 10:09 pm
Location: Henderson, KY (the d is silent)

Blichmann Brewpots

Post by Dwayne_Delaney » Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:56 pm

Last summer at the Brew-B -Q in Indy, John Blichmann said that he was working on a 55 gal. brewpot. It turns out that there are also 10, 15, 20 and 30 gal sizes!

There are lots of innovations in these pots; check out the wild false bottom.

Webpage:
http://www.blichmannengineering.com/Boi ... allery.htm

I haven't seen any prices yet though.
Dwayne Delaney

"Beer is not a good cocktail-party drink, especially in a home where you don't know where the bathroom is"
Billy Carter

User avatar
john mills
Brewmaster
Posts: 1378
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:40 pm
Location: Near the Zoo

Post by john mills » Wed Feb 06, 2008 4:25 pm

While wasting time today I ran across this little plastic conical http://www.plastic-mart.com/class.php?item=135 with a some additions it may be the cheapest available. Anybody want to buy one and let me know how it works?
You gonna buy one, or be one?
.....I'm gonna be one!

User avatar
Chris Alvey
Brewmaster
Posts: 701
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:15 am
Location: Newburgh, IN
Contact:

Post by Chris Alvey » Wed Feb 06, 2008 5:33 pm

That's actually pretty awesome. With a little creative plumbing a person could create a dump and racking valve maybe.

User avatar
john mills
Brewmaster
Posts: 1378
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:40 pm
Location: Near the Zoo

Post by john mills » Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:01 am

I found this yahoo group devoted to brewing equipment. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BrewingEquipment/ There are some interesting posts, and some I would have to think about more....like the 2x4 brew sculpture.
You gonna buy one, or be one?
.....I'm gonna be one!

User avatar
john mills
Brewmaster
Posts: 1378
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:40 pm
Location: Near the Zoo

Post by john mills » Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:25 pm

I've been using my propain (spelling intentional) burner for my heat source since I've started brewing agin and I hate it. It's loud, I'm always worried about running out, and I like to brew indoors where it is more comfortable. While trying to find an alternative heating method with what I currently have at my disposal at home (natural gas and electricty), I found this electric heater assembly called the heatstick: http://www.cedarcreeknetworks.com/heatstick.htm
"One heatstick will heat to sparge temp , 2 will bring 6 1/2 gallons to boil in 37 minutes"

I was thinking of going the natural gas route before I saw the heatstick with these burners: http://www.cpapc.com/store/23-Tip-Round ... 9C244.aspx

Has anybody tried either one of these heat sources?
You gonna buy one, or be one?
.....I'm gonna be one!

User avatar
Dwayne_Delaney
Brewmaster
Posts: 1446
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 10:09 pm
Location: Henderson, KY (the d is silent)

Post by Dwayne_Delaney » Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:00 pm

I have never ordered anything from these guys, but it looks like they have some quality stuff at decent prices:

www.mashmaster.com
Dwayne Delaney

"Beer is not a good cocktail-party drink, especially in a home where you don't know where the bathroom is"
Billy Carter

User avatar
Dwayne_Delaney
Brewmaster
Posts: 1446
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 10:09 pm
Location: Henderson, KY (the d is silent)

Post by Dwayne_Delaney » Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:04 pm

This could have possibilities for the brewer. Perhaps an easy temp controller for mashing?

http://bayouclassicdepot.com/cb001_1_te ... _valve.htm
Dwayne Delaney

"Beer is not a good cocktail-party drink, especially in a home where you don't know where the bathroom is"
Billy Carter

User avatar
Chris Norrick
Brewmaster
Posts: 2544
Joined: Fri Dec 02, 2005 3:21 pm
Location: Evansville, IN
Contact:

Post by Chris Norrick » Tue May 06, 2008 12:10 pm

I'm not sure if I've posted this before, but here is some simple instructions on building your own paintball tank portable CO2 dispenser. Similar to the ones Williams's sells.

http://www.schwedhelm.net/brew/biggasser.html
Chris Norrick
Up Next: OVHA Barrel Brew
Fermenting:
On Tap:

User avatar
Dwayne_Delaney
Brewmaster
Posts: 1446
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 10:09 pm
Location: Henderson, KY (the d is silent)

Post by Dwayne_Delaney » Sat May 24, 2008 4:37 pm

I've seen these on other sites, but not this cheap.
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-bee ... 150-6.html

Anyone familiar with this vendor? They seem to have a good selection at decent prices. Also a pretty active forum.
Dwayne Delaney

"Beer is not a good cocktail-party drink, especially in a home where you don't know where the bathroom is"
Billy Carter

User avatar
Chris Norrick
Brewmaster
Posts: 2544
Joined: Fri Dec 02, 2005 3:21 pm
Location: Evansville, IN
Contact:

Post by Chris Norrick » Sat May 24, 2008 9:41 pm

Micromatic is one of the big dogs in commercial soda and beer dispensing. I got parts for my three-tap tower from them.
Chris Norrick
Up Next: OVHA Barrel Brew
Fermenting:
On Tap:

User avatar
jefrey3
Brewmaster
Posts: 787
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:04 am
Location: Evansville, IN

Post by jefrey3 » Sun May 25, 2008 11:10 am

I have some of the Micromatic tap handles. The only bad feature is the plastic threads will strip if bartenders are overly aggressive. We got some samples last year at the brewers' conference. All but 2 have been stripped.

User avatar
Michael Erwin
Brewmaster
Posts: 577
Joined: Thu May 15, 2008 2:01 pm

Weird firestone keg question

Post by Michael Erwin » Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:54 pm

Here's a question. Got an old firestone keg. Everything seems fine, had to update some plastic spacers with plumbing washers, based on some info on the web. No problem, no leaks there or anywhere, really.

But, I put the BL liquid out line on, no flow. Took it off, pushed the poppet with a screwdriver, plenty of flow! (thankfully it was all water, as I was testing/cleaning).

So, I put the BL disconnect on without a hose. Just a dribble at the beginning. But, I noticed, putting it on and taking it off, I got a nice spout of water. Turns out, if I put it partially on and hold it there, I can get the flow I need. That is, I pull up the ring, place the disconnect on the post, but not all the way down, so the balls are not dropping into the groove, and the ring of course is not locking the balls in place in the groove.

What gives? Do old firestone posts need a different disconnect?

User avatar
john mills
Brewmaster
Posts: 1378
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:40 pm
Location: Near the Zoo

Post by john mills » Sat Jun 07, 2008 7:41 am

I haven't noticed any difference in function between Firestone, and Corney kegs. Does this event happen on just this keg? Have you tried any other kegs with the same beverage out connector?
You gonna buy one, or be one?
.....I'm gonna be one!

User avatar
jefrey3
Brewmaster
Posts: 787
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:04 am
Location: Evansville, IN

Post by jefrey3 » Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:59 am

I'm thinking about getting one of these.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFF5LBmJaS8

User avatar
Michael Erwin
Brewmaster
Posts: 577
Joined: Thu May 15, 2008 2:01 pm

Post by Michael Erwin » Sun Jun 15, 2008 7:32 pm

john mills wrote:I haven't noticed any difference in function between Firestone, and Corney kegs. Does this event happen on just this keg? Have you tried any other kegs with the same beverage out connector?
Yes, I've tried the disconnect on another keg this evening, the disconnect is working fine.

Post Reply