Boiler option?

[jonewer]

Hi All, and hope you're all as sozzled as me this fine friday evening! :

Anyway, been loking at getting a boiler, The Wife said I could have one for my bday......

so how does this item look?

http://www.theappliancenet.co.uk/applia ... W0026.html

 

[corby_brewer]

try this -
http://www.zen37219.zen.co.uk/boilers.htm

 

[Parva]

Forget the Swan 26l boiler as something you can use a boiler, you'll soon find yourself seriously limited with brewlengths. I have a 27l Cygnet (Burco) but I use this as a HLT. Take a look at this :- http://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/catalog/de ... HA20225648

If you can afford to go for the 2 element version then do so, don't skimp unless you have to! There are many threads detailing how to make this for a much lower price but if you are like me and totally devoid of DIY skills then this is what you want. Also, forget the thermostat, it's another unnecessary expense.

To make 5 gallon brews (23l) you'll need to boil around 27l for 60 minutes and 30l for 90 minutes (depending on your preference, another topic....). Either way you'll have to fudge things as boiling wort doesn't behave like boiling water, you get a massive head of foam that will likely coat your boiler, worktop and floor with sticky wort.

In short, it's not impossible and can be done but for what you are paying a decent plastic bucket with at least one (and ideally two) elements will serve you so much better. Furthermore, the H&G boiler comes with an in-built hop-strainer so no need for the boil in a bag business. It does require modification though but that takes a 3mm - 5mm drill bit, a nail and a hammer and about 15 minutes work to fix.

 

[jonewer]

Take a look at this :- http://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/catalog/de ... HA20225648

It does require modification though but that takes a 3mm - 5mm drill bit, a nail and a hammer and about 15 minutes work to fix.

Whats the nature of the modification?

Again, this just seems odd to pay like £100 for a boiler when you can get a more or less complete AG setup for £180... May as well go the whole hog... :?

 

[Vossy1]

May as well go the whole hog...

That's the spirit :twisted:

 

[jonewer]

May as well go the whole hog...

That's the spirit :twisted:

Just need to find a way past the wife... "Oh, you mean this all-grain brewery.... I er... someone left it on the train...and I errr.. no... someone from work gave it to me.. er.. let me borrow it.... or something or nothing...."

 

[Parva]

I can highly recommend the H&G 10G brewery, it's what I have used for the last 15 months or so and is currently brewing a batch of lager as it happens. :)

 

[Vossy1]

Just need to find a way past the wife... "Oh, you mean this all-grain brewery.... I er... someone left it on the train...and I errr.. no... someone from work gave it to me.. er.. let me borrow it.... or something or nothing...."

:rofl:
I'm sure a forum member will vouch for lending it to you :whistle: :lol:

 

[jonewer]

Result! I have obtained permission "in principle" for the purchase of an AG brewery!

May have something to do with the Tate membership I bought her for her bday.... haha!...Dark Side here I come!

:clap: :party: : :thumb: :grin:

 

[dennisking]

Happy days ahead

 

[Parva]

Whats the nature of the modification?

Apologies, I missed this bit. Many people (myself included) have had problems with a stuck run-off from this particular hop strainer. It's basically got a load of slits in it but these gradually become clogged with hops and particulates and you find that half way through draining to the FV that you've got it coming out in drips rather than the flow it should be.

The solution is simple, drill a couple of 3mm holes between each slit. If (like me) you don't have a 3mm bit and only have a 5mm bit to hand (as I did) then just drill one hole between each slit. You will however find that the drill slides everywhere (since copper pipe is tubular) and this is where the hammer and nail come into play. Give the nail a tap where you are intending to drill and you have a point for the drill to get a purchase. Took me 15 minutes to sort mine out. :)

If you do get that boiler then I strongly suggest you do this even before your first brew. I realise that cannibalising new equipment isn't the done thing and normally I would try it first anyway before I modified it but I can assure you that the problem is well documented and you may well regret it if you don't on your first (already stressful) brew.

 

[jonewer]

Thanks Parva, will try and do so. Although the last time I tried to drill a hole in the kitchen wall, the living room window fell out. I'm not good with DIY.

The H&Gmash tun, whats the best way of sparging it?

 

[corby_brewer]

see link - viewtopic.php?f=36&t=3919

 

[Parva]

Thanks Parva, will try and do so. Although the last time I tried to drill a hole in the kitchen wall, the living room window fell out. I'm not good with DIY.

The H&Gmash tun, whats the best way of sparging it?

Believe me, I'm terrible with DIY but even I managed the hammer, nail and drill method. :) In fact I actually started to drill mine with no knowledge of the hammer and nail and having spent 10 minutes seeing the drill slide everywhere I actually came up with the idea myself. My dad who is more DIY minded than me said 'Noooo' but was then astounded to see that I was right. :)

Regarding the H&G mash tun, batch sparge, so much simpler. Get the kit and I can give you some really clear instructions.

 

[jonewer]

Well, finally got around to ordering the H&G brewery today!

Should get it in a week or so, hopefully will have a brew together for chrimbo! :drink: :drunk:

I see the wort chiller needs some piping for water in and out. Anyone give me some guidance on what to get for this? :hmm:

 

[bones]

May as well go the whole hog...

That's the spirit :twisted:

I've just completed 1000 pint last week in 2009 with my H&G Boiler.. for the money you cant get better
:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

 

[bones]

I supose now you will also need a bigger mash tun and a few more barrels :party: :drink:

 

[jonewer]

I've just completed 1000 pint last week in 2009 with my H&G Boiler.. for the money you cant get better
:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Must have been a busy week! :lol:

 

[jonewer]

I supose now you will also need a bigger mash tun and a few more barrels :party: :drink:

Hehe. At present I have one empty barrel, one almost full, and one full of expensive lawn-feed (aka my first stout).

Next brew is my last extract (to use up my left over stock) and then its over to ye olde darke side!

There'll be many a question in a few weeks...... remembering the old saying... "Brew your beer in October, or be sober!"

 

[Vossy1]

Bet you can't wait for it to arrive j :party: