Well, time to upgrade my three tier!!

[jeff]

Mounting post for the valve assembly:


Setting up for welding the mounting post:


Valve assembly attached to the frame:

[jawbox]

I've just received my heat sink so i'm getting close to fabrication time. I'll be sure to post pics.

[jeff]

I've just received my heat sink so i'm getting close to fabrication time. I'll be sure to post pics.

It's great when stuff arrives. Looking forward to seeing pics.

[jeff]

Control box mount tacked to the frame:


Control box mounted:


Mash tun bulkhead and ball-valve:


Mash tun false bottom and dip-tube (size increased from 3/8" to 1/2"):

[jeff]

Installed copper gas lines to tie burners to gas plumbing:

[jeff]

Control box wired up:


Control box mounted and powered up:


24V transformer mounted and wired:

[jeff]

Gas valve and sensor connected:


Pilot light assembly installation:


System monitoring and controlling HLT and mash tun temps:

[jeff]

Rolling the heat exchanger from 30 ft of 1/2 in OD copper tube:


Heat exchanger installed in HLT:


Boil kettle inlet tube:


Silicone tubing connected to manifold:

[slothrob]

Jeff, beautiful work!

Eric

[jeff]

Jeff, beautiful work!

Eric

Thanks, Eric! I'm glad it's finally done (almost, few tweaks left).

[jeff]

There are just a few last tweaks that I want to make but the system is essentially complete.

Before:


After:


My sister and I brewed a Belgian IPA using a two step mash. The heat exchanger made easy work of reaching rest temperatures and maintaining them. The mash temperature was maintained by setting the HLT temperature controller 5°F higher than the target mash temperature. The HLT temperature controller activated the HLT burner to maintain its temperature while the mash temperature controller activated the pump to circulate the mash through the heat exchanger. Flow rate was controlled by the manifold valves.

The system worked perfectly for temperature control. However, I have to work on the way the recirculated mash is returned to the mash tun in order to avoid stirring up the grain bed. The return hose had a way of burrowing into the grain bed during recirculation.

Overall, I'm very happy with the results and looking forward to the next batch. Thanks to all of you who followed this topic.

[jawbox]

Quick temp fix place aluminum foil on top of grain bed, pokes holes and place your return on top of the foil.

[jeff]

Quick temp fix place aluminum foil on top of grain bed, pokes holes and place your return on top of the foil.

That's a good idea. I have an old SS false bottom I made for another pot that I could sit on top of the grain bed too. Already has the holes. Thanks for the suggestion.