Beer Forum

I want to build a brew sculpture but dont really know where to start.

Can you fellas give me some ideas on plans and materials needed?

Look through the system picture thread to get some ideas. http://www.wortomatic.com/ has some good info and links.

I like the one tier system and Push Ejects two tier system.

Im going to have a friend weld one together for me.

Once built how do I implement the brewing system.

How do I install the gas lines and pumps?

Check http://www.brewzilla.nl/brewhalla.htm for a ton of different setups. Should give you some insight.

I don't weld and am having a local welding shop build mine as we speak. Once you decided what kind of setup you want, figure out your dimensions. Then, get your burners and build the system around them.

I mash in a cooler, so mine is going to be three tier. But the second tier (for the cooler) is going to be a table top that folds into the other piece (that houses the burners) for storage. The burners are each the Bayou classic low pressure banjo burners with wind screens. Will be ready Wednesday.

Just to prove that the drawing doesn't need to be all that slick.

I've know a few folks who started out by building the basic stand out of wood and do a couple brews with a couple different configurations to figure out what suited them best. Other folks have done them with metal struts that could be bolted together, yet could be reconfigured. If you start out by welding one up without actually having brewed on one first, you may end up with something you hate and no way to change it without it being a major pain in the ass and the pocketbook.

Wayne

Bugeater wrote:I've know a few folks who started out by building the basic stand out of wood and do a couple brews with a couple different configurations to figure out what suited them best. Other folks have done them with metal struts that could be bolted together, yet could be reconfigured. If you start out by welding one up without actually having brewed on one first, you may end up with something you hate and no way to change it without it being a major pain in the ass and the pocketbook.

Wayne

I never got to the point of bolting anything together, but I have had some chairs precariously stacked on tables for the last six months. I think my wife has grown tired of me turning the patio furniture into brew architecture and finally agreed to let me build something compact that could occupy that last unclaimed real estate in our garage.

Don't tell her.

Random thoughts:

Some sculptures place the boil kettle under the HLT. After some burn time, flakes (like me) of paint and rust, created by heat and steam for previous boils, start to fall down into your valuable boiling wort. Call me picky, I don't like rusty condensation dripping down into my kettle. Another good argument for using stainless instead of carbon steels.

Unless you like working from a ladder, make sure your mash tun is placed at a height that allows you to dough-in without standing on your tippy-toes. This requirement always brings a pump into consideration.