Home Vinters and Brewers Unite!

[Dave P]

edit double post

[Dave P]

edit double post

[legendboy]

Anybody have any interest in a kegerator or 9 dozen 500ml ez cap bottles?

[Dave P]

Has anyone converted to an electric set up. I am currently converting and had some controller questions.

I picked up an electric heating element and fittings (15 amp, 120 volts, 1500 watts, attaches to the 1.5" ferrule on my tank).

I have been looking online for a pre built one, but the prices are pretty crazy.

Has anyone built there own controller unit?

Like this: http://brewprof.com/weekend-diy-home...ller-stc-1000/

Just wondering if anyone has gone this route?

[AndyL]

You could build one a lot nicer than that...

Arduino - ds18b20 and an SSR... There's a couple diy brew controllers around - same basic idea... Datalog + control of way more than just temp

[Dave P]

Originally posted by AndyL
You could build one a lot nicer than that...

Arduino - ds18b20 and an SSR... There's a couple diy brew controllers around - same basic idea... Datalog + control of way more than just temp

Any links or examples? I am a rookie when it comes to the electrical side of things and need it spelled out for me haha.

Used to the old propane burner out back with a thermometer haha.

[AndyL]

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/make-yo...th-an-arduino/

All the parts would be available at solarbotics. Probably under 40$ if you go with an arduino pro or teensy as micro controller...

Hitec -http://www.brewpi.com

[TurboMedic]

Originally posted by Dave P
Has anyone converted to an electric set up. I am currently converting and had some controller questions.

I picked up an electric heating element and fittings (15 amp, 120 volts, 1500 watts, attaches to the 1.5" ferrule on my tank).

I have been looking online for a pre built one, but the prices are pretty crazy.

Has anyone built there own controller unit?

Like this: http://brewprof.com/weekend-diy-home...ller-stc-1000/

Just wondering if anyone has gone this route?

I do electronic control of mine. Built a box with a few DPST relays, an SSR, keyswitch, and a toggle for a PWM to control boil rate, and a PID to control mash. I also put in a 110v plugin on a switch to control a recirculation pump. I do everything eBIAB now for simplicity. I bought a 40gal pot from some supply place close to chinook center, it was priced very well.

I'm in the process of converting to an arduino based setup though, I'm just coming up short on alot of plans and purchase lists. Theres strangebrew (r/strangebrew) which looks promising. I have zero experience in coding anything. I just want it to act like a PID or PWM whenever I want it to.

[Dave P]

Finally got my Heating Element Adapter.

Got it from OntarioBeerKegs.Com

Was the cheapest place I could find online.

[Dave P]

Edit

Nevermind.

Bad plan haha






Hows everyone elses brewing going down?

[TurboMedic]

Always good, batch every few weeks, find I have written more recipes than I can brew and stay on top of reasonably unfortunately.

I went back to a 3 vessel setup after a short experiment with single vessel BIAB with electric PID control and recirculating mash. I found little advantage to the single vessel, it was a pain in the ass to squeeze the bag and get everything out, tried numerous devices to do it, it was messier, etc. Back to the cooler, HLT, and kettle for me, transfer everything around with pumps, easy peasy.

For anyone wanting a pump but not wanting to pay out the nose for a March or Chugger, the Little Giant pumps at Princess Auto have been used by brewers all over for a fraction the price. They come in 12v and 115v, they have rebuildable pump heads and come with multiple impellers, they are stainless steel, etc. I picked mine up on sale for $89, regular $119, the 12v one goes on sale occasionally for $79. I use that in combination with a cheap little ebay 12v pump for transfers

[Brent.ff]

Currently have this in secondary:
https://www.homebrewersassociation.o...berry-melomel/

Working on a Cyser (http://www.themeadery.net/mead-recip...r-mead-recipe/) later this week, as well as a braggot (this one could be a bit different..tried a braggot from Fallentimber this week and it was pretty damn boring).

...now to find bottles

[adamc]

Started my first hard cider batch not too long ago. Dead simple.

Now, I wait.

[Brent.ff]

Wheres the best place to get bottles? Fine to reuse wine bottles for mead, but thinking if we're carbonating our cyser we need half decent bottles

[Nufy]

So I have a standard carboy and barrel with cover plus the related tubing, hygrometer etc...

typically I use Corona bottles as they can be capped easily.

Which kits work well with that setup.

Its been a few years of successively bad batches and I want to get back into it again.

Thoughts ?