BeerBorg

I'm just trying to figure out what all the hoses do, where they go, etc.

Thanks, Black Duck.

In that photo, the hoses are configured for sparging.

Looking good, Ray!

How long until it's fully operational?

It is now! I'm ready to rock!

So this weekend?

Whamolagan wrote:So this weekend?

I'm heading to camp this weekend. I did pick up grain and yeast in case I get anxious and brew Monday when I get home. I decided to do kennys fat liar since the last time I brewed it, my pinlock connector leaked and I lost the whole batch after only drinking 2 .

Great looking set up Ray!

Inkleg wrote:Great looking set up Ray!

Thank you.

Sunday is the day! I'm excited to use this thing finally. I think I have everything dialed in well. I'm not sure what kind of efficiency numbers to use so I may have a stronger beer than I want but I can deal with that! Beer!

You go Ray

C'mon man, report back on its maiden voyage!

RayF wrote:
What should I brew? I'm thinking Fat Liar or maybe a cream ale. Something refreshing and lighter for mid summer drinking. Any suggestions?

@RayF sweet setup it looks awesome and you took a great picture of it too. Once you go electric you will never regret it, or go back to using gas. This is especially true when you are brewing in a basement as was the case for me. I'd like to hear about your first time brewing on that baby too.

ScrewyBrewer wrote:

RayF wrote:
What should I brew? I'm thinking Fat Liar or maybe a cream ale. Something refreshing and lighter for mid summer drinking. Any suggestions?

@RayF sweet setup it looks awesome and you took a great picture of it too. Once you go electric you will never regret it, or go back to using gas. This is especially true when you are brewing in a basement as was the case for me. I'd like to hear about your first time brewing on that baby too.

I had a pretty decent brew day. I hit my temps and held them perfectly for the mash. I had a little trouble dialing in the pump speeds during the sparge but I figured it out and should be able to get it right next time. The boil went perfect, although I'd like to add a hop basket to the boil kettle for future batches. I wasn't very happy with chilling. I used a 25' immersion chiller and whirlpooled. It took way too long. I'm thinking I want to get a counter flow chiller in the future. My target pre-boil was suppose to be 1.037, I came in at 1.034. That bummed me a bit. My target OG was suppose to be 1.048, I came in at 1.047. So 1 point off isn't bad for the first brew. I can deal with that.

Well, I have said I have been completely done with this thing many times now. This time I'm certain that I'm completely finished. I added some manifolds to my pumps so I can change liquor and wort flow without disconnecting and switching hoses around. Switching those hoses made a mess and I was losing wort. I can now circulate my HLT while sparging with the same pump with the use of some tees and valves. Before this , my HLT water was fluctuating during the sparge because of lack of circulation. I got it all figured out now! I also added the counter flow chiller which works great. I'm going to miss building this thing.

Great work. And if I can help you not miss it, build me one!
Enjoy the work.