Kettles are from Stout Tanks
50amp back to back control panel for electric, runs 2 vessels at a time. All three elements can run once all vessels are up to temp. (probably never needed)
5500w 240v elements for the kettle and HLT, 4500w in the RIMS tube.
Brewers Hardware RIMS tube mounted directly to the tri-clamp port on the mash tun.
For backup or cookouts, 3 banjo burners, one high power model under the brew kettle, manual control for propane.
One March 815 pump and one March AC-5SSB-MD Beer Pump
Two Blichmann Therminator chillers
Brewers Hardware trub/hop filter canister (so far useless and prone to clog)
Inline thermometer and oxygen stone after the chillers
I will weld up similar racks for local folks.
Just added the Stout Tanks 20 Gallon conical and kettle.
Yeah, I welded this just over a week ago to get all the components up off the ground after so many years Bought a new welder so I had motivation.
As for the chilling, I typically recirculate through chiller #1 with tap water, back to the kettle until the temp reaches about 100f. Then I swap out the garden hose with a submersible pump in ice water and keep recirculating until the kettle temp is near pitching (the output of the chiller typical 50-60F once ice water is connected), then pump to the fermenter. This way I hope to leave behind a lot more small particulate.
When I want to save time over wort clarity I hook the two chillers inline and can pump wort at pitch temps directly to the fermenter. I can also do this and recirculate to drop the kettle temps faster but it uses more ice.
I try not to use both for the wort loss, but with larger batches in the summer they are awesome together.
I’m currently waiting on a new 20g kettle from Stout Tanks, so 15g batches will become typical and the extra chill power will be welcome.
That’s pretty much the same way I do it, too. Run the wort through the heat exchanger back to the kettle at an angle that creates a whirlpool until the temp is down to 80 or so, then switch to ice water to get the rest of the way.
I just got a Blichmann Therminator and used it for the first time this past weekend. Works very well, but it still takes a while (45 minutes?) to cool the whole batch in the kettle before going to the fermenters.
I’ll have to time it next brew and make specific notes as I don’t recall it taking half that much time even on a single unit. I’m running the water full blast and the wort pump the same (as wort conditions allow). I’ve had these chillers for some years now and they have been great, but I have recently added a trub/hop filter (Brewers Hardware) as they did tend to collect debris on some sessions.
Bc my thought is to use a johnson control system like you use on fridge for temp control to control a 120 volt gas selnoid valve. The control would power the valve to modulate the gas on and off to a burner to adjust temp. when mashing.
Just added corrected pics now that all new kettles and components are in place. Added a March AC-5SSB-MD Beer Pump to really get the whirlpool moving Thanks to Jeff at Depco Pump for that monster!
At this point I don’t see the need for anything else
Damn good job!