New Blichmann Valves

Discussions about brewing equipment / design.
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DrPaulsen
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New Blichmann Valves

Post by DrPaulsen »

http://www.homebrewfinds.com/2014/11/bl ... eview.html

Awesome news - Blichmann has decided to start selling their new linear flow valves directly. Guess I just figured out what's going on my Xmas list.
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Matt F
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Re: New Blichmann Valves

Post by Matt F »

Excited for dip tube too.
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czubak
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Re: New Blichmann Valves

Post by czubak »

I think I'd really like these over ball valves. It's a bit spendy is all.


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Chris Zubak
DrPaulsen
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Re: New Blichmann Valves

Post by DrPaulsen »

I've got one on order through BIY. Will let you all know my impressions once it arrives and I get a chance to install it. I've not seen a valve like this in other fields so this might be a design that Blichmann patents. Unless he licenses the IP, it's likely to remain pricey for a long time.
mccullpl
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Re: New Blichmann Valves

Post by mccullpl »

Looks like they are trying...from their site: "Patent pending G2 linear flow valve"

I'm looking to go electric, and waffling between the BrewEasy system, or a Boilermaker electric kettle, and then adding a BoilCoil to my existing HLT (aluminum 10 gal pot). Little things like the linear flow valve and diptube have swayed me towards their products...everything seems well engineered.
kjball
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Re: New Blichmann Valves

Post by kjball »

DrPaulsen wrote:I've got one on order through BIY. Will let you all know my impressions once it arrives and I get a chance to install it. I've not seen a valve like this in other fields so this might be a design that Blichmann patents. Unless he licenses the IP, it's likely to remain pricey for a long time.

It looks like a needle valve design, similar to a gas flow control valve. I could be over-simplifying it.
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czubak
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Re: New Blichmann Valves

Post by czubak »

kjball wrote:
DrPaulsen wrote:I've got one on order through BIY. Will let you all know my impressions once it arrives and I get a chance to install it. I've not seen a valve like this in other fields so this might be a design that Blichmann patents. Unless he licenses the IP, it's likely to remain pricey for a long time.

It looks like a needle valve design, similar to a gas flow control valve. I could be over-simplifying it.
I think you're spot on, Blichmann over engineers most of their items. Everything I've touched has been really nice.

The brew easy is very appealing. Only thing I wonder is if you sprung for the 10 gallon batch system if you can still do 5 gallon batches.


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mccullpl
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Re: New Blichmann Valves

Post by mccullpl »

"The brew easy is very appealing. Only thing I wonder is if you sprung for the 10 gallon batch system if you can still do 5 gallon batches."

From the info I've seen, as long as the boilcoil is submerged, you can do a 5 gal batch on the 10 gal system
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czubak
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Re: New Blichmann Valves

Post by czubak »

Sounds like a lot of fiddling with orifices and holding temps seems to be a pita this far from new users.


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whitedj
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Re: New Blichmann Valves

Post by whitedj »

Any updates on these valves? Wondering if they are worth 5-7x the price of of a normal valve in flow control and clean-ability?
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mccullpl
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Re: New Blichmann Valves

Post by mccullpl »

Dan,

Whether the valves are worth the extra money, i don't know... I can say they are VERY easy to clean. If you keep unscrewing them, you can pop the valve out, and clean and dry them. That's the one thing I don't like about ball valves, is it seems like there's always a little liquid trapped in there. They are a couple turns from closed to full open, so not as quick as a ball valve to open and close, but for the way I use mine, it works perfectly fine.

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DrPaulsen
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Re: New Blichmann Valves

Post by DrPaulsen »

I'm a huge fan of these valves. Their absolute flow position is tough to read, but the flow control and cleanability are great. Personally, I only need one. If you have a lot of valves, you'll want to think through the purpose and cleaning needs of each before going with one of these. For example, I wouldn't use it for a water valve or a simple on/off valve.
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