Finally pulled the trigger

Discussions about brewing equipment / design.
bf514921
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Re: Finally pulled the trigger

Post by bf514921 »

That's it, mine isn't shiny enough anymore I better build a new one

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Brandon Franklin - The other Franklin
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carrisr
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Re: Finally pulled the trigger

Post by carrisr »

Awesome Matt. I recently dropped coin on an SS Brew Bucket Mini and an electronic wireless hydrometer just because they're both cool. I haven't received the hydrometer yet but I like the bucket.

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Randy Carris
Randy All the Time Brewing
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andrewmaixner
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Re: Finally pulled the trigger

Post by andrewmaixner »

spent more in one day on equipment than I have in my years of brewing
About to do that also... Ordering a custom single vessel 21 gal eBIAB setup
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czubak
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Re: Finally pulled the trigger

Post by czubak »

andrewmaixner wrote: About to do that also... Ordering a custom single vessel 21 gal eBIAB setup
What did you end up buying Andrew?
Chris Zubak
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andrewmaixner
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Re: Finally pulled the trigger

Post by andrewmaixner »

czubak wrote:
andrewmaixner wrote: About to do that also... Ordering a custom single vessel 21 gal eBIAB setup
What did you end up buying Andrew?
Currently waffling between a full-TC custom setup with the BrewersHardware 20Gal skinny kettle (somewhat similar to that one on HBT), or retrofitting my current cheep 15Gal kettle with a couple weldless fittings for electric and recirculation...
assembling a couple price comparisons currently, and the sticker shock is shocking. I could upgrade later without much sunk cost if I just retrofit my current stuff for eBIAB - kettle RIMS now, hence the waffling.
Either way, the immediate price is Pricy McPriceface
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tony b
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Re: Finally pulled the trigger

Post by tony b »

Sweet, but that's some serious cash outlay there, dude!

The downside is that we will expect nothing less that awesome beers from you (as if you weren't kicking it already!) 8)
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andrewmaixner
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Re: Finally pulled the trigger

Post by andrewmaixner »

carrisr wrote:Awesome Matt. I recently dropped coin on an SS Brew Bucket Mini and an electronic wireless hydrometer
I saw a post about those drop-in wireless hydrometers. they look really awesome and handy
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tony b
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Re: Finally pulled the trigger

Post by tony b »

I expect to see the latest cool stuff at the vendors area at NHC in 2 weeks.
A Mighty Wind's A Brewing

“Life is short - break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile” ― Mae West
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Matt F
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Re: Finally pulled the trigger

Post by Matt F »

I thought about waiting to see what you found at NHC but once I had the green light to purchase from management I knew I better go before the light turned red. The Stout kettle was the first to fit all my requirements. New kettle needed to be good for 5, 10, and 15 gallon batches. Thermowell needed to be covered with 5 gallons of wort in the kettle (Brewers Hardware port too high), tangential inlet, all welded tri-clover fittings, butterfly valves, etched volume markings on interior, trub dam. This is the first kettle to check every box. Can't wait to brew on it. First beer will be a Baltic Porter.
Matt Franklin
Slappy Brewing North

On Tap:
American IPA
Strata Hazy IPA
Dr. Lee Orval
American Strong Ale
Friend of the Devil Belgian Golden Strong
Imperial Stout
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andrewmaixner
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Re: Finally pulled the trigger

Post by andrewmaixner »

whitedj
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Re: Finally pulled the trigger

Post by whitedj »

Matt F wrote:I thought about waiting to see what you found at NHC but once I had the green light to purchase from management I knew I better go before the light turned red. The Stout kettle was the first to fit all my requirements. New kettle needed to be good for 5, 10, and 15 gallon batches. Thermowell needed to be covered with 5 gallons of wort in the kettle (Brewers Hardware port too high), tangential inlet, all welded tri-clover fittings, butterfly valves, etched volume markings on interior, trub dam. This is the first kettle to check every box. Can't wait to brew on it. First beer will be a Baltic Porter.
I'm contemplating how large to go with my next system, and am worried about the dead space in the larger kettles being too great as most of my batches are 5 gal with occasional 10.
The price difference between a 9 and 15 or 20 gallon are minimal. Tough choices
The guy who submitted a barley wine in the Furious competition...
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Matt F
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Re: Finally pulled the trigger

Post by Matt F »

I wrestled with same dilemma. Kettle was not a problem as can do 5, 10, 15 fine. Mastun was my concern for same reasons of dead space. Since I can recirculate it is not a huge issue but still... I knew I wanted the Ss Brew Tech Mashtun so it was either 10 or 20 gallon. I knew 10 would be too small for me plus I really like the manometer on the 20 gallon. More reason to brew huge beers I guess!
Matt Franklin
Slappy Brewing North

On Tap:
American IPA
Strata Hazy IPA
Dr. Lee Orval
American Strong Ale
Friend of the Devil Belgian Golden Strong
Imperial Stout
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andrewmaixner
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Re: Finally pulled the trigger

Post by andrewmaixner »

whitedj wrote:
Matt F wrote:I thought about waiting to see what you found at NHC but once I had the green light to purchase from management I knew I better go before the light turned red. The Stout kettle was the first to fit all my requirements. New kettle needed to be good for 5, 10, and 15 gallon batches. Thermowell needed to be covered with 5 gallons of wort in the kettle (Brewers Hardware port too high), tangential inlet, all welded tri-clover fittings, butterfly valves, etched volume markings on interior, trub dam. This is the first kettle to check every box. Can't wait to brew on it. First beer will be a Baltic Porter.
I'm contemplating how large to go with my next system, and am worried about the dead space in the larger kettles being too great as most of my batches are 5 gal with occasional 10.
The price difference between a 9 and 15 or 20 gallon are minimal. Tough choices
Relevant to you then, is why I bought what I did: The kettles from BrewersHardware offer a lower diameter, with no diameter difference between their 15 vs 20 gal kettles.

Stout also offers this geometry, but they have a 5 month lead time for customization beyond what is listed on their site, because all of their welding is performed in china.

BH orders one basic design for this kettle, and then does all custom welding in California.
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Matt F
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Re: Finally pulled the trigger

Post by Matt F »

andrewmaixner wrote:BH orders one basic design for this kettle, and then does all custom welding in California.
I was going to go with the BH originally but they said the thermometer port would need about 7 gallons of wort to cover and stout was less than 5. This was key for me to go stout since I immersion chill and prefer that thermometer to work. When Stout introduced a flat bottom with trub dam, tangential inlet, and etched volume inside, they basically released exactly what was in my head. Perfect!
Matt Franklin
Slappy Brewing North

On Tap:
American IPA
Strata Hazy IPA
Dr. Lee Orval
American Strong Ale
Friend of the Devil Belgian Golden Strong
Imperial Stout
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andrewmaixner
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Re: Finally pulled the trigger

Post by andrewmaixner »

Matt F wrote:
andrewmaixner wrote:BH orders one basic design for this kettle, and then does all custom welding in California.
I was going to go with the BH originally but they said the thermometer port would need about 7 gallons of wort to cover and stout was less than 5. This was key for me to go stout since I immersion chill and prefer that thermometer to work. When Stout introduced a flat bottom with trub dam, tangential inlet, and etched volume inside, they basically released exactly what was in my head. Perfect!
Yes, that one was on my short list when I was talking with a guy from Stout. It looks really nice.

I got around the high temperature port issue by installing another TC port 90 degrees from the element port, with a long thermowell.
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