Showing posts with label Gadgets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gadgets. Show all posts

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Prepped pumps and other equipment for the next Brew day!

I have since acquired a new march pump, 10 sticks of 12' stainless 1" .125" thick for a brew stand (or two? anyone out there interested in negotiation?), a sump pump is on the way for cleaning equipment, two more thermometers for the keggle and the mash tun.

Theoretically, all of this equipment will help to save my back and brew better beer! Now that I am able to ferment in the house with the modified mini fridge (not the Wifey's favorite new toy ::shrug::). I still have some work to get the temp below 60 but I am sure I will figure it out. Maybe letting the compressor breath (vent) better would be a good start. I think everything should begin to get more consistent (as far as quality is concerned...ok, maybe consistency with process and not necessarily the quality of beer). Time will tell.

I have found a connection around town in the brewing community who may be willing to provide the welding needed to get the brew stand in order. Maybe I can talk him in to making another from the extra SS and he could keep it for his work or I could possibly sell it around town to pay him for all of his work. I still have a few things to iron out but I am a bit excited to say the least!!!!!!

With luck, I can talk the Wifey in to joining me down at the next brewfest down at Zona Rosa considering the Elders are playing. How nice it is to have great entertainment (while drinking great beer!).

In the meantime, I am passing time drinking Odell's St. Lupulin (I love the bottles for repackaging, even if I'm resting on the idea of kegging most of my beer from now on) and enjoying the new deck! 

Sunday, January 17, 2010

SPARGE ARM PROJECT




http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&p=302493















Gadgets

http://oz.craftbrewer.org/

Hop Plugger

I found this and think this may be something of interest for 2010's harvest.

http://brewtech.blogspot.com/2008/09/hop-plugger-project.html

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Refractometers

Here is some information about refractometers I ran across back in October. It's still on my shopping list though and malts and hops have priority. I mean, what's the use of it if I don't have any beer to study!



http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php#15

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

GUESS WHAT I MADE LAST NIGHT....

My new Stir Plate! I have been working with the idea of makeing yeast starters and have decided it was time. Until now I have been working with the Wyeast Smack Packs. They have performed well but I think that I lost out on my OG while making my un-Imperial Porter. An OG of 1.062 is definately not 1.092. I will still have to decide on a housing, but at least the unit will function.

Note: The other accessories have been ordered and I am waiting on a shipment from http://www.morebeer.com/ and http://www.northernbrewer.com/

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Stir Plate

I think we should make a kick ass Stir Plate like this!

-120mm comp fan
-25 ohm rheostat
-12V switch
-DC plug from a phone or similar 6 to 12V
-rare earth magnets or hard drive magnets
-stir bar
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A 12V DC fan such as found in PC power supplies. Other voltages will work if you have the right power supply.
Two rare-earth (strong!) magnets around 12x5mm. I bought mine from Alpha Magnetics in Boronia for 75c each (+GST).
Plastic plate (must be non magnetic) for the flask to sit on. Furthermore with the aluminium plate I first tried, although it didn't interfere with the magnetic coupling between the motor and stir bar, it really gave the motor a hernia so I resorted to wood. I will replace with perspex when I get a chance.
Misc machine screws and spacers. I ended up using 40mm M3 screws which allowed me to fit two 9mm spacers (threaded) to the motor and some M3 short machine screws to hold the platform down.
One or more stir bars. I made the mistake of buying the variety that has a ring in the middle to act as a pivot. Well unfortunately it pivots every revolution and the rattling forced me to leave the starter out in the garage overnight. I will be getting the "no ring" version very soon. I sourced these from Science Supply Australia in Mitcham. They also have conical flasks.
You will also need a suitable vessel for stirring in, such as a conical flask, ideal because it has a flat base. Common glass vessels typically have a convex bottom (looking at the inside) making it difficult to centre the stir bar.


http://brewiki.org/StirPlate

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http://www.thebitterbrewer.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=64
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www.stirbars.com