Going over to the "Dark Side" - Plastic AG setup

[Cononthebarber]

I was having a read of this post last night and I really want to have a go at this. It seems like a really cost effective way of crossing over to the "Dark side"...

So you can buy these plastic buckets on Amazon for £4.79...they are good I now have three and use them for FV's

Im thinking two of those buckets to make the mash tun...using one of these as insulation...using the method described in the above post written by Chard...

...and then using another of the bins with two kettle elements for the boiler...making a cooling coil from copper piping...and another bin for the FV and HEY PRESTO! An AG setup which doesn't cost an arm and a leg!!!

I have a load of random pluming bits and bobs already(connectors, elbow joints etc...) Kicking around in my shed so I am sure I would have enough to cobble together something without having to buy too much stuff like that...

Does anyone know where to get copper pipe which isn't ludicrously expensive? Looking round the usual places (i.e. wickes, B&Q etc...) it seems really pricey!!!

What do you reckon? Its seems totally do-able and would probably only take a weekend or so to complete the job...then I will be brewing away like all the pro's on here...no more kits for me!!! :thumb:

 

[graysalchemy]

My only concern with those buckets is how thick they are as they will get very hot around the elements. Ask aleman about it (but don't ask him to show you his battle scars :nono: :nono: )

I used those blue food grade barrels


These

There are quite a few listings on ebay.

 

[Cononthebarber]

Ahh yes good point...I think they are about 4-5mm thick but can't check as they are all in use at the minute? I could have an experiment by getting one kettle element and wiring it up and having a trial run (outside!) and boiling some water for an hour or so? That way I will only have ruined one bucket and one element (which might still be salvageable) and if it all goes pear shaped well at least we'll know...

 

[BrotherMalice]

I have subscribed to this thread and will be watching with interest, let us know how you get on with your testing (but be carefull)

 

[graysalchemy]

If they are 4-5mm thick then they should be fine but a lot of those brew buckets are a lot less 2mm :nono: :nono: . Mine are about 4mm and they do cause me concern at times.

 

[Cononthebarber]

I will keep this thread updated with my progress although I won't be able to enter the "testing" stage until at least a couple weeks time as all my bins are currently in use :)

 

[BrotherMalice]

Get more :P

Seriously though, I think this will be a good way forward for me to join the Dark Side

:

 

[Cononthebarber]

Ok so I finally got round to making my boiler and it has turned out bloody marvellous!!! No leaks or melting bucket or anything! :thumb:

I followed the very helpful "how to" by BigYin CLICKY!!!

And here is the finished product:

just need to add a tap and hop strainer...oh and make a mash tun and I'll be ready to rock with my first AG brew! :lol:

 

[Cononthebarber]

also a short vid of it in action!

http://youtu.be/gBZ9eCbTZpE

 

[oz11]

I can't see that it says food grade anywhere? Maybe I'm missing it?

 

[joe1002]

If you are still looking for 10mm copper tube I found plumbase to be the cheapest if you have one near you. I'm not sure what their delivery charges are.

Links are:

10 metres
25 metres

 

[Cononthebarber]

I can't see that it says food grade anywhere? Maybe I'm missing it?

Its a good job I'm only making drinks in it then! :lol:

If you are still looking for 10mm copper tube I found plumbase to be the cheapest if you have one near you. I'm not sure what their delivery charges are.

Links are:

10 metres
25 metres

Thats a good price for coil, good shout cheers! There's a plumbbase about 15 miles away so will be heading there next week :thumb:

 

[joe1002]

When I went in store they tried to charge me slightly more (only a few quid) but I pulled up their Internet site on my phone and showed them website price, they honoured it. You may want to with a print out of their web price if you are not able to get it on your phone.

One thing is for sure, you won't want to get it from here :shock:

 

[Cononthebarber]

Thanks for the tip I will go in armed with my print out! :)

As for that price all i can say is...!

 

[joe1002]

As for that price all i can say is...!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

 

[Cononthebarber]

I can't see that it says food grade anywhere? Maybe I'm missing it?

Its a good job I'm only making drinks in it then! :lol:

On a more serious note, I have since found out that the container is made from Polypropylene which is apparently ok to use with food and other such like applications...:)

 

[oz11]

As far as I understand the material isn't important. If something is not designated food grade then it can be made with recycled plastic that in the past could have been used for something else. If a container is food grade then this will not be the case.

If it's non-food grade you can get leeching from the plastic, more likely at higher temperatures or prolonged contact. In all likelihood it will be fine, but buying food grade removes any doubt.

 

[Cononthebarber]

Ok so I now have all the materials I need to complete the next stage of my planm making my mash tun and wort chiller...

I would defo recommend plumbase by the way, I placed an order online this morning at 8am and it was delivered at 3.30 this afternoon! Now thats what I call service, got their 25m x 10mm copper coil and a couple of lengths of 15mm piping for the wort chiller good price as well, £60.08 including delivery, can't argue with that!

Only problem is I'm away on holiday from Friday to Aberdeen so won't be able to get the rest done till at least a couple weeks but will get there slowly but surely! :)

 

[Cononthebarber]

Ok wort chiller done...!

Mash tun done...!

Boiler fitted with hop strainer and tap done...!

I will be up bright and early to start my first AG brew! Wish me luck! I am well excited!!!! :)

 

[rich27500]

Good luck, your set up looks great