Modifying a 55 gal boilermaker

Systems, Gear, & DIY
1

Hi Guys.

I have a 55 gal boilermaker that i use as a mash tun. The problem i have is the removal of the grain. I have tried shovels, big ladles, etc, but its a big pain for a short guy like me. Is it possible to install a small/medium size manway on the side of the kettle? That way i could flip the door open and have easier access to the spent grain without killing myself after every batch.
Has anyone done something like this? Will a manway/manhole compromise the integrity of the boilermaker?

Cheers.

Akkis.

2

tried a shopvac?

3

Contact Blichmann, John has been good responding to e-mails. If he doesn’t have a solution, it could give him a product idea.

4

Id look for a way to tip it on its side if i where you.  Ala the Morebeer Tippy Dump

http://morebeer.com/products/20-gallon-tippydump-brewsculpture.html

Some sort of Eye holes with a few wellplaces ropes could probably give yout he proper leverage to pick it up, tilt it, and place it back down gently.

Jeff

5

This ^^^^^

John has been very responsive, and I’d like to hear the his resolve to this as well. Please post your findings.

6

Thanks everyone. I sent an email to Blichmann. Will let you know what they say about this.
I havent tried a shopvac. I will give it a go this weekend.

7

I think the tip dump would be much easier to engineer at home than a door that seals.

8

I have found these, http://archonind.com/ProcessEquip/Manways/ManwayB.asp and i have a buddy that can cut the kettle and make sanitary welds, but i want to be certain before i order one of them.

9

I think it would also be easier to shovel things out of the radius of the top then a little manyway at the bottom.

2Cents

10

I do this with 210 gallons vessel.

11

I heard back from Blichmann today. The response i got was “We have not had any experience with this type of modification. Due to the high variety of specifics I don’t feel comfortable saying you will have success with the addition of a manway. I would recommend working with a highly reputable metal shop.”
I will try the shopvack suggested method, and i’ll see what i can do to rig a “tippy”. I will leave the manway as a last resort.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

12

Since you have access to a metal worker i would rig 3 eyebolts near the rim some where, 2 to carryt he weight picking up, and an additional 1 to carryt he weight when tipping/putting down, and 1 on the side near the bottom to carry the weight when putting down, so essentially you pick it up with the 2, use the bottom loop to change the engle, and put er back down on its side.

13

If it is too have you need to put the pot in the cradle. That is how’s me is done.