Tres Kegs Single Tier All Grain Brewing System

[steelcurtainism]

hey man i whats the material list to make a three keg system i bought the kegs . and am ready to start this hopby. i would prefer weldless parts list . thanks man. beer is the social lubericant that keeps us the spokes in the wheelchair that keeps this country turning around. im from nj too

[tilumilu]

Hey Bobby, can you tell me what kind of dial thermometer is suitable for a home brewing system? I'm building my own brewing system and I don't know which is the best without spending much money. I've seen that you're using Tel-Tru... Can you help me on this one? Thanx!

[BobbyFromNJ]

@tilumilu

I carry some nice dial thermometers on Brewhardware and the manufacturer has a 5 year warranty. The price is reasonable.

[tilumilu]

@BobbyFromNJ Thank you so much! keep up the good work!

[saltintheeye]

Is that the guy from Wild Hogs you know the gang leaders sidekick haha

[Dusty45701]

Did you have problems without a protective sleve around you're thermometer being that close to the bottom, or was it a "better safe than sorry" decision?

[BobbyFromNJ]

@Dusty45701

Dusty, were you referring to the metal tubes that I have around the sight glass tubing? That was a necessity to keep the glass from shattering. My sight glasses on there are actual glass unlike the polycarbonate tubing that I supply with the kits on brewhardware

[luthierzan]

@BobbyFromNJ

I do like the added bling of the tubes around the site glass. Did you make them yourself, or did you purchase them?

[Dusty45701]

Did you have problems without a protective sleve around you're thermometer being that close to the bottom, or was it a "better safe than sorry" decision?

[acsoul1]

If you don't mind me asking, how much did this set up cost? and can I still do all grain brewing with my stock pot and mesh strainer? or do i need to upgrade to this bohemoth?

[BobbyFromNJ]

@acsoul1

I honestly never kept track of costs on this. I built it over a period of 2 years and scrounged for parts all along the way. The steel angle iron is actual reclaimed bed frames. I found the burners in an Asian supermarket for $20 each. The stainless parts were sniped off of Ebay for 1/4 of retail prices. The cost is probably highest for my own labor that went into it. You can get into all grain for much less. Look into brew in a bag (BIAB).

[mitchkoptchak]

what type of disconnects are you using and where did you buy them. i have a simlar set up and would like to add the metal disconects rather than inferior plastic

[BobbyFromNJ]

@mitchkoptchak

The video shows brass disconnects from Mcmaster Carr but I'm currently using the stainless camlock version as shown in other videos of mine.

[theSanderson]

@BobbyFromNJ Why did you switch to the camlocks? Or did you stay with the McMaster Carr disconnects?

[supervascular]

Very clever!

[schnibbz]

Where did you get those burners from? link?

[fishheadH2o]

Where did you buy your shut off valve? What brand is it? I am building a brew pot of my own your videos are very helpful. Cheers

[Jesseleetakes]

is brass really ok for the quick disconnects. i wonder if i should get those or stainless

[kryznic1]

Hey , really nice setup. You got your ish together! Where in NJ are you? I'm in Hamilton near Trenton. Would love to see your setup sometime if your giving tours, lol. I just started brewing and I'm on my 4th extract batch and so far I have had mediocre results. I think the extract kits bite, dunno whether I should try a partial mash next or just go all grain and save myself some money and headaches. I just want to make good beer to drink and I would love to build a setup like yours!

[kryznic1]

where in NJ are you? You allow tours? lol that thing is nice. I'm in Hamilton near Trenton. Just started brewing but it's sucking, I think I hate extract kits.

[Jesseleetakes]

nice temp on the counterflow chiller, im going to add that to mine

[subsonic41grain]

Bobby, I am an allgrain brewer in the UK buildinga similar system to yours. Can you post me a link to where you got the fast disconnects from? I can't seem to find them here and if need be I can get a buddy in the states to send me a set. Great video there we have stuck it on the Jims Beer Kit forum in the uk! Subsonic

[rootsbrewer]

Nice video. I built a similar system based upon the Brutus 10 design. But adapted it to HERMS instead of direct firing the mash. Don't know if it was really necessary but works beautifully. I am going to steal your idea of a right angle fitting on your QD's though. Keep making better beer!

[james101060]

Where did you buy the quick connects? I am currently building my own system and would like them also.

[ergasiomania]

@james101060

Check out the new stainless disconnects at Morebeer, they are sweet... maybe one day+.

[rzurek78]

I'm a homebrewer and want to make the move to all grain! I'm starting my research on different systems, yours looks great! How do you maintain temp in the mash, and how long did it take to polish that keg, that looks bad ass, two more to go!!

[BobbyFromNJ]

The mash is currently direct fire so I manually light the flame and recirculate the wort while it's heating.

Polishing to that degree takes about 4 hours. I have two done now and the mash tun is going to be wrapped with insulation full time so I'm done with that.

[tomroeder]

I have heard guys not liking to heat their mash tun while they are mashing for fear of scorching the grains...what are your thoughts? Even with your insulation on the mash tun, how much temp. loss do you encounter? When you heat, do you just stir like crazy to avoid scorching? Thanks again!!!!

[BobbyFromNJ]

The reason I can get away with direct heat is that I have a full false bottom that keeps the grain off the heated area. I also recirculate the wort from underneath the FB and put it back on top of the grain. That ensures that the wort is only heated a few degrees before it equalized with the rest of the mash. Heat loss in the summer, with insulation on is about 2F over 60 minutes. In the winter, I lose that in 20 minutes. There's nothing wrong with using a converted cooler though!!

[maddspoiler]

@tomroeder

Dude decoction method uses a mash tun that is directly heated and that is the traditional way of brewing. Google it Im sure you will find decoction very interesting. Also this is how Double Malting is done too!

[maddspoiler]

@tomroeder

Decoction method uses direct heat... Decoction is the traditional way the germans brew. Also Double Malting is done in the same fashion. Google them or look it up in your fav brewing book!

[ergasiomania]

@rzurek78

I too aspire to all grain and am gradually collecting equipment. Is there any problem with directly heating the mash as far as burning or scorching of the grain?

[HomeDistiller]

o-rings in the female SUCKS, they are ok when they are in good nick but are a right royal PITA to change

[BobbyFromNJ]

I've never had a problem with the gaskets. I haven't had any reason to change them yet.

[raoddog]

hey nice system what type of hose did you use for your gas line

[BobbyFromNJ]

It's not rated for nat gas but I used goodyear utility hose from Lowes.

[MrLobojulian]

Hi Bobby, thanks for the video...could you please tell me how many calories or BTU's have the propane burners,

Thanks again Cheers!!

[BobbyFromNJ]

I use natural gas instead of propane and I would estimate the BTU at about 85,000 if I ran it full on.

[lolo1484]

nice lil set up,

[chatafkup]

Hi Bobby,,,I just bought some sightglasses from you...hey where did you buy the wrap for your mash tun?

[BobbyFromNJ]

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.

[clrainford]

this is quite a creative system, but i would never boil my wort in aluminum.

[BobbyFromNJ]

The old Alzheimer's scare from aluminum has been thoroughly debunked already but it's irrelevant because modern kegs are made of stainless steel.

[newlondonbrewer]

Where did you find the clear PVC tubing with the SS wire reinforcement? How much does it run?

[garrygunz]

hey man where did you get those disconnects

[fujinoya]

Nice set up.

What is the brand of the brass quick connects you are using?

[cocina451]

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 ,

[eedwards74]

Been watching your vids i'm guessing you do HVAC.

[BobbyFromNJ]

Nope, I'm a desk jockey at a telecom company.

[gruversm]

Which Tru-Temp Thermometer did you use on your keggle?

[BobbyFromNJ]

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.

[BareTreeBrewingCo]

really smart with the copper sleeve for the thermometer.. does it effect the reading at all?

[BobbyFromNJ]

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.

[barkerw1]

Did you do anything special with your sight glasses on the BK especially to make sure they don't melt or anything?

[BobbyFromNJ]

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.

[BobbyFromNJ]

Angle grinder with various polishing wheels and compounds. It took about 5 hours to get it there.

[pszone42]

impressive... i'm not quite sure i have the patience, but maybe i'll give it a whirl

[pszone42]

How did you polish up that keg???

[yugamrap]

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!

[BobbyFromNJ]

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...

[EdWort]

Great job as usual. Did you apply heat during the mash and recirculation?

[BobbyFromNJ]

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.

[OPE08]

Really, really nice work Bobby.

Do you have a false bottom in there somewhere what??

[BobbyFromNJ]

It's a large stainless braid fitted over the siphon tube for now but I have a false bottom on the way.

[BobbyFromNJ]

Yes, when you go single tier:

1 pump = batch sparge

2 pumps = fly sparge

I'm forced to move the input/output hoses of the pump a couple times per session, but the QD's make it easy.

[Homebrew58]

Nice Bobby. Do you batch sparge?