Mashtun Build

[hjubm2]

As some of you would have seen I've aquired a cheap 1200L milk tank to turn into a mash/lauter tun. The idea is to use it for infusion mashes along with being able to recirculate the liquid through the grain bed etc. It's going to be a slow build as I can get work/parts done.

Main ideas so far is getting a wedge wire false bottom screen made up & building a turner/rake system to mix the grain so I don't have to try and mix 300kg+ of wet grain... ... ... & there has been some thinking/talk about also using it as a germination tank for malting grain so the rake system will also be used to turn the grain & stop it matting together.

So question for the people in the know, what is the best design for the rake system in a lauter tun? I have seen that many different designs for them but can't find any scientific information into the best design for them. Then I will have to try and work out what size motor will be needed to turn the rakes through the grain bed & what speed it will need to be turned...

A lot of planning/research still to do...

[hjubm2]

Been a while since I first started this project but finally a bit of progress is being made... plans have changed from the original idea to a more slimmed down (cheaper) build which will be upgraded as required/able to.

Instead of the wedge wire bottom screen I'll be using the homebrew method of a copper manifold on the bottom of the tank. I've seen it used in similar sized tanks so should work for this and be a lot cheaper.

Heating will be wood fired with water/wort pumped through a copper coil which heats it from the heat of the fire. Will be slow but will be cheaper/easier then using steam or similar to heat 1000L of liquid.

So question time. Looking for fittings for the recirculation system, I need to connect 3/4" annealed copper pipe to the other fittings. Is there a problem using brass plumbing fittings for it since it won't be in contact with alcohol, only water/wort? Worst that will make contact with it is the heater wort which may be up to 100 degrees when circulating.

What's peoples thoughts on the matter?

[RuddyCrazy]

There is nothing to worry about about using brass fittings as there is NO ALC present in the mash tun and all it does is convert the starch to sugars.

Compression fittings would be the go for the connection to the 3/4" copper tube with say a 1/2" bsp on the other side of the fitting.

Cheers Bryan

[hjubm2]

Yeah that's what I was thinking Bryan but wanted to check what others thought to make sure I wasn't missing anything.

Thinking 3/4" threaded fittings atm as the pump I'm using is 3/4" inlet/outlet so want to keep it free flowing. Then add in some camlock fittings & bit of high temp hose & should be good to go once I work out how to connect it to the stupid milk tank fitting...

[RuddyCrazy]

Mate that scrap yard in the Bridge I told you about has all the SS and milk fittings :handgestures-thumbupleft: I was just looking thru my gear and that drain valve for the keg marriage would suit but your not getting it :laughing-rolling:

Once I know the size of the milk fitting I can go have a look for you :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Cheers Bryan

[hjubm2]

Pretty sure it's a 2" fitting but I'd have to measure it. The plan was to try to get a tri-clamp fitting to screw onto the milk tank fitting so then I can get a blanking plate and drill a hole through it to pass the 3/4" copper of the manifold out of the tank... thats my thinking atm anyways... still need to get the 3/4" annealed copper for the heating coil but at $270ish for 18m it's been delayed :laughing-rolling:

[RuddyCrazy]

Ok is this the size mate

milk fitting.jpg

The milk fitting is connected to 2" SS pipe and that pic of the cover is off my 30 litre boiler I used to use for stripping, my 2" pot still connects to it.

[hjubm2]

Measured the fitting up. Inside diameter is 48mm & outside diameter to outside of the threads is about 72mm

20241115_160658.jpg

20241115_160724.jpg

Hopefully can get something to change it to a triclamp...

[RuddyCrazy]

Ok that is the same size as the one I used on my 2" pot still and I did find a spare nut for it so on Monday I'll get upto the Bridge and get the fitting for you :handgestures-thumbupleft:

It has been years since I was there and a bottle of my finest does give plenty of cabbage too :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling:

Cheers Bryan