After months of sporatic planning and building, I finally have this thing to the point where I can brew a batch on it. It’s not done or perfect, but it’s TRES KEGs!!!
It’s reflectix duct … It’s reflectix duct insulation from Lowes. You can also use closed cell foam rubber or camping mats. Nothing can stay on during direct heating though.
The old Alzheimer’s … The old Alzheimer’s scare from aluminum has been thoroughly debunked already but it’s irrelevant because modern kegs are made of stainless steel.
hey , great set up … hey , great set up , can you tell me how to make the tube on the outside ? , im in argentina , and im about to start a microbrew here, because there isnt any variety ,
I found them on … I found them on Ebay and my only concern was having a long enough probe ( would have preferred 4″ instead of 6″)and having the right temp range. 50-250F.
They’re actually … They’re actually pyrex glass so they have no problem taking the heat. The polycarbonate (plastic) tubes can be shielded just a bit at the bottom to keep them away from direct heat.
I won’t pass … I won’t pass judgement on the direct fire mash because I have way more batches on a converted cooler so I’d be biased. I need to get over the learning curve. It’s certainly harder to clean and it loses about 3F over 60 minutes while my cooler held perfectly. More to come…
Bobby – any +/- on … Bobby – any +/- on mashing in the keg vs. in a cooler? Easier to hold mash temps? Why did you decide to direct-fire the MLT rather than heat exchange with an IC in the HLT? Just curious because I’m heading toward a single tier system myself, and am deciding some of these things (2 kegs & cooler vs. 3 kegs, direct fire vs. heat exchange). Your videos are great. I used your grinder jig method for cutting the heads out of two kegs – easy, and great results!
When necessary yes. … When necessary yes. I think I added about 3 minutes of heat at 30 minutes just to get the temp back to the 152F. I also applied heat to get up to the 170F sparge temp. That took about 6 minutes.
After months of sporatic planning and building, I finally have this thing to the point where I can brew a batch on it. It’s not done or perfect, but it’s TRES KEGs!!!
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
nice lil set up,
nice lil set up,
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
It’s reflectix duct …
It’s reflectix duct insulation from Lowes. You can also use closed cell foam rubber or camping mats. Nothing can stay on during direct heating though.
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Hi Bobby,,,I just …
Hi Bobby,,,I just bought some sightglasses from you…hey where did you buy the wrap for your mash tun?
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
The old Alzheimer’s …
The old Alzheimer’s scare from aluminum has been thoroughly debunked already but it’s irrelevant because modern kegs are made of stainless steel.
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
this is quite a …
this is quite a creative system, but i would never boil my wort in aluminum.
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Nope, I’m a desk …
Nope, I’m a desk jockey at a telecom company.
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Where did you find …
Where did you find the clear PVC tubing with the SS wire reinforcement? How much does it run?
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
hey man where did …
hey man where did you get those disconnects
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Nice set up.
What …
Nice set up.
What is the brand of the brass quick connects you are using?
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
hey , great set up …
hey , great set up , can you tell me how to make the tube on the outside ? , im in argentina , and im about to start a microbrew here, because there isnt any variety ,
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Been watching your …
Been watching your vids i’m guessing you do HVAC.
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I’m sure it …
I’m sure it restricts the flow in a thick mash a bit, but I’ll probably drill a few more holes in it to open it up more.
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I found them on …
I found them on Ebay and my only concern was having a long enough probe ( would have preferred 4″ instead of 6″)and having the right temp range. 50-250F.
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Which Tru-Temp …
Which Tru-Temp Thermometer did you use on your keggle?
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
really smart with …
really smart with the copper sleeve for the thermometer.. does it effect the reading at all?
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
They’re actually …
They’re actually pyrex glass so they have no problem taking the heat. The polycarbonate (plastic) tubes can be shielded just a bit at the bottom to keep them away from direct heat.
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Did you do anything …
Did you do anything special with your sight glasses on the BK especially to make sure they don’t melt or anything?
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
impressive… i’m …
impressive… i’m not quite sure i have the patience, but maybe i’ll give it a whirl
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Angle grinder with …
Angle grinder with various polishing wheels and compounds. It took about 5 hours to get it there.
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
How did you polish …
How did you polish up that keg???
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I won’t pass …
I won’t pass judgement on the direct fire mash because I have way more batches on a converted cooler so I’d be biased. I need to get over the learning curve. It’s certainly harder to clean and it loses about 3F over 60 minutes while my cooler held perfectly. More to come…
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Bobby – any +/- on …
Bobby – any +/- on mashing in the keg vs. in a cooler? Easier to hold mash temps? Why did you decide to direct-fire the MLT rather than heat exchange with an IC in the HLT? Just curious because I’m heading toward a single tier system myself, and am deciding some of these things (2 kegs & cooler vs. 3 kegs, direct fire vs. heat exchange). Your videos are great. I used your grinder jig method for cutting the heads out of two kegs – easy, and great results!
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
When necessary yes. …
When necessary yes. I think I added about 3 minutes of heat at 30 minutes just to get the temp back to the 152F. I also applied heat to get up to the 170F sparge temp. That took about 6 minutes.
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Great job as usual. …
Great job as usual. Did you apply heat during the mash and recirculation?
October 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
It’s a large …
It’s a large stainless braid fitted over the siphon tube for now but I have a false bottom on the way.