|
Post by jimdkc on Jun 25, 2020 12:29:05 GMT -6
I can confirm that the newer models of the Anvil Foundry have the control panel higher on the kettle. The older models had it in the base. I'm thinking of getting a cart like this ( LINK): And lowering the top shelf so it's at a comfortable working height, even with the malt basket raised. I don't want to have to use a step ladder if I can avoid it! Also, I'm considering building an electric HLT (I probably have all the parts needed for one: 7.5 gallon kettle, 1650W 120V SS Element, fittings/valve, cheap PID controller) in case I want to sparge.
|
|
|
Post by zymot on Jun 25, 2020 20:20:56 GMT -6
Definately factor in the fsct you have lift up wet grains and rotate into position. Looks like those wheels lock. I would do what ever it takes to chalk them into position so the cart cannot wiggle around on you. Might be as easy as a couple hunks of 2x4 cut into triangles.
If I understand it, essentially you are doing BIAB sparge. Sparging will get you some sugar that would otherwise be left behind.
But how much?
With a BIAB, the wort left behind is a lower OG. With any sparge, the wort in the grains is a higher gravity and you are trying to replace wort with water.
John Palmer calculates BIAB is less efficient than fly sparging, but BIAB is better than batch sparging. Which is counter to my gut feeling.
|
|
|
Post by Seven on Jun 26, 2020 7:51:12 GMT -6
John Palmer calculates BIAB is less efficient than fly sparging, but BIAB is better than batch sparging. Which is counter to my gut feeling. I'm guessing that BIAB could be more efficient assuming the crush is finer but apples to apples, any kind of sparge should be more efficient. My batch sparge sessions were definitely more efficient but I don't mill any finer for BIAB.
|
|
|
Post by SchwanzBrewer on Jul 8, 2020 20:18:18 GMT -6
Question to electric brewers out there. How do you deal with a IM chiller and the heating element? An electric boil kettle has to have the heating element in direct contact with the wort. When you use a water heater element, is sticks out into the wort, a Blichmann boil coil has a coil concentric with the kettle. My concern is the IM banging into the heating element. I mean, it should be sized right to hand on the side of the kettle. Also, the element should be off when you are chilling. There needs to be some sort of fail safe there to keep you from killing yourself though.
|
|
|
Post by zymot on Jul 9, 2020 19:08:21 GMT -6
The heating element sticks into the pot from the side of my kettle by way of a 1.5" TC fitting. My goal is protecting the element from the IM wort chiller sitting on top. I do not want the element to experience the diving board affect. I also want to protect the BIAB bag from making contact with the bag. The guys at Brewhardware have just the thing I was looking for, at $31.99, it is worth every penny.
|
|
|
Post by zymot on Jul 9, 2020 22:57:25 GMT -6
Took the plunge. Placed my order with Brewhardware. I got a 240 VAC 5,500 watt element, BIAB false bottom as seen above, a BIAB bag, and the killer diller Blichmann Brewcommander. I got my 240 VAC GFCI L6-30 twistlock and 120VAC 20 amp GFCI wired up. Just need to finish up patching the drywall.
Found a guy that will weld a 1.5" TC on my Spike kettle for $40. I was pretty close to going with the Anvil 10.5 gallon + pump set up. If I sold off some of my gear, it would have been a fairly inexpensive transition. But I really wanted the Brewcomannder. Most of my brewing life, I went cheap cheap budget, figured I would go luxury for a change.
Brewhardware has very nice products. Bobby is a great guy. They have a problem with inventory. I was willing to put a 1.5" TC port on my kettle myself. Either weldless or solder, but they did not have the inventory for me to do it right.
|
|
|
Post by OldMan on Jul 9, 2020 23:42:55 GMT -6
What software are they running on Brewcommander?
|
|
|
Post by zymot on Jul 9, 2020 23:56:22 GMT -6
They do not say. I would guess that it is their own proprietary code. Although I would not be surprised if they studied and evaluated the some of the open source code that is out there.
The control I/F is a touch panel with what I looks to be their own GUI.(the GUI is nothing special) It would be interesting to learn what kind of a processor and language they use. My best guess would be python and something like Pi.
I will not be surprised when somebody comes out with a knock off for less money. The Blichmann name comes at a premium.
|
|
|
Post by jimdkc on Jul 10, 2020 1:23:48 GMT -6
Took the plunge. Placed my order with Brewhardware. I got a 240 VAC 5,500 watt element, BIAB false bottom as seen above, a BIAB bag, and the killer diller Blichmann Brewcommander. I got my 240 VAC GFCI L6-30 twistlock and 120VAC 20 amp GFCI wired up. Just need to finish up patching the drywall. Found a guy that will weld a 1.5" TC on my Spike kettle for $40. I was pretty close to going with the Anvil 10.5 gallon + pump set up. If I sold off some of my gear, it would have been a fairly inexpensive transition. But I really wanted the Brewcomannder. Most of my brewing life, I went cheap cheap budget, figured I would go luxury for a change. Brewhardware has very nice products. Bobby is a great guy. They have a problem with inventory. I was willing to put a 1.5" TC port on my kettle myself. Either weldless or solder, but they did not have the inventory for me to do it right. Sounds like the makings of a nice brewery!
|
|
|
Post by zymot on Jul 10, 2020 7:38:12 GMT -6
Sounds like the makings of a nice brewery!
I am looking forward to have my brewery set up and keeping it in place. Now every brew day, I have to drag stuff out set up, find this hose, find that HLT stand.
While I am starting off BIAB, I will hold onto my HLT and Mash Tun cooler. If I want to go with some sort of sparge method, I can.
|
|
|
Post by OldMan on Jul 10, 2020 23:24:12 GMT -6
They do not say. I would guess that it is their own proprietary code. Although I would not be surprised if they studied and evaluated the some of the open source code that is out there. The control I/F is a touch panel with what I looks to be their own GUI.(the GUI is nothing special) It would be interesting to learn what kind of a processor and language they use. My best guess would be python and something like Pi. I will not be surprised when somebody comes out with a knock off for less money. The Blichmann name comes at a premium. The first thing I would do is backup the sd card and keep it in a safe place.
|
|
|
Post by zymot on Jul 11, 2020 1:24:12 GMT -6
I just read where there is an SD card reader inside the unit. Software updates can be made this way. There is no com port, USB port, etc on the external of the unit.
One thing I find strange, you have to tell the unit temperature ramp rates. (X degrees per minute) It is a computer, with a temp probe, built in timer and a CPU. It could test, measure, calculate and tell you the ramp rate. This is for timing between temp rests. Maybe once I start using it, things will make more sense.
|
|
|
Post by OldMan on Jul 11, 2020 1:29:18 GMT -6
I just read where there is an SD card reader inside the unit. Software updates can be made this way. There is no com port, USB port, etc on the external of the unit. One thing I find strange, you have to tell the unit temperature ramp rates. (X degrees per minute) It is a computer, with a temp probe, built in timer and a CPU. It could test, measure, calculate and tell you the ramp rate. This is for timing between temp rests. Maybe once I start using it, things will make more sense. Did you crack it open and see what the guts are? I have a feeling it's a raspberry pi.
|
|
|
Post by zymot on Jul 11, 2020 6:35:16 GMT -6
I have not received it yet. I will do that. A raspberry pi would make sense. I expect that Blichman will cut their own PC boards.
The language for the control? I am going to guess python.
|
|
|
Post by zymot on Jul 17, 2020 10:05:22 GMT -6
I found somebody to weld a 1.5" TC fitting on my Spike kettle for $40.00. He said it was more difficult than he thought. I pick it up today.
I placed my order with Brewhardware late Thursday night, as in 7 days ago. It did not make it to UPS until Wednesday, I get it on next Tuesday. Longer for a delivery than I like. But these are tough times, I want to help out the smaller independent business when I can. Plus Bobby from BH is one of the good guys.
Once I get everything in hand, should be a pretty quick set up and give everything a test drive. I am hopping to sell about $600.00-$800.00 on eBay this weekend. Maybe I need some new brew toys. (pH meter, Blichmann Riptide pump)
|
|