The problem with a Grainfather and all one vessel systems is they are really two vessel systems if you sparge, at the moment I heat my sparge water in the Grainfather and transfer it to my bottling bucket and keep it in the brew fridge till its needed.
To cut out this added time I was thinking of making an HLT out of a Polypropylene under bed storage box to keep the height profile down so it can fit snug to the shed roof and control it with the brew fridge STC controller.
Anyone done something like this or see any problems?
Using an under bed storage box as an HLT
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Buckie Brewer
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Re: Using an under bed storage box as an HLT
I wouldn't, they are too brittle and not made out of the same plastic as a brew bucket.
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Pinto
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Re: Using an under bed storage box as an HLT
They perform very well as "yorkshire square" fermenters, but as stated they're brittle. I've got a couple of them I plan to turn into a mash tun however - and to do this, im planning on fitting a 60L one inside of an 80L and filling the void with expanding PU foam. Im sure this design would also work admirably as a lauter tun and be a lot stronger / more impact resistant.
Morever, there are various sizes avaialble too from 16 to 100 litres so it should be fairly easy to select a size to suit your need.
Morever, there are various sizes avaialble too from 16 to 100 litres so it should be fairly easy to select a size to suit your need.
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Primary 2 : Nothing
Primary 3 : None
Secondary 1 : Empty
Secondary 1 : None
DJ(1) : Nowt
DJ(2) : N'otin....
In the Keg : Nada
Conditioning : Nowt
In the bottle : Cinnamonator TC, Apple Boost Cider, Apple & Strawberry Cider
Planning : AG #5 - Galaxy Pale (re-brew) / #6 - Alco-Brau (Special Brew Clone) / #7 Something belgian...
Projects : Mini-brew (12l brew length kit) nearly ready
Join the BrewChat - open minds and adults only
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I assume its not food grade but am not sure what issues there could be with that.
Re: Using an under bed storage box as an HLT
Quite a few of the large Wilko's storage boxes are food grade.simon12 wrote:I assume its not food grade but am not sure what issues there could be with that.
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Andy
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Re: Using an under bed storage box as an HLT
Using a brittle plastic container, designed for general storage, as a HLT containing hot liquids at roof-space height sounds like a very bad idea. You can buy heavy duty polypropylene buckets from homebrew shops for not much £££, these are suitable for holding hot liquids. OK their shape is very much "bucket shaped" so you might have some fitting issues/compromises but best be safe!
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Buckie Brewer
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Re: Using an under bed storage box as an HLT
When I stated a Polypropylene under bed storage box what I meant was something like this but after reading some of the points and some thought of the time I faff about and get a box, element and tap, for the same rough cost I am just going to get one of these to save issues and sit it on a set of step ladders/shelf to sparge. Im sure I can dial in the thermostat to my desired temperature.