Cleaning old central heating pipes for still build.

[Dave]

Made and welded the 1" BSP port in the boiler yesterday! Well, I have to admit, I didn't weld it, the welder at my old place of work did, tigged it in nicely. Now, there's a story behind the port that may be of benefit to some in the future.The heating element was advertised as 1" BSP, which is what I was looking for, so I went ahead and bought it. I pondered over either making the port, or ordering one off the shelf. Anyway, I decided to make one,a nd it's a good job I did! First off, I just machined the body to size, and ran a 1" inch bsp tap through it, great, job done.....until I tried the heater in it....OMG.. it was what is known in the trade as a piss fit1! I could have nearly pushed the damn thing in!! So, I had to make a port to suit, which meant screw cutting the thread. But it fits prefectly now, thankfully!
I spent today in my shed wiring my PID controller, and testing it. Works great!
I'll put some pics up soon.
I really should have put a mash of sorts on before now, though! I'm going to be ready to run something and nothing to run.... I do have a gallon of uninteresting wine I made some time ago though that I may try and see if I can do something with...
That's the story so far guys...
Dave

[Dave]

As promised, some pics of my PID controller. I put a 12v pc fan in to keep things cool. I'm running it off a little transformer at 9v to give it an easier life, and to keep the noise down. The heatsink on the Solid state relay didn't get above 15 degrees, so that's working well.

And this is the first test of the electrics in action...It took just under 25 mins to bring three gallons of water from 25 degrees, up to 70 degrees. Going to do a cleaning run today using citric acid...AND, I've been out and bought some Kale, so that's going to get started before the days out!
Dave

[Easydrinker]

Good to see you getting there.

Robert.

[Icefever]

Wow photos just love um....what's the adage "a photo is worth a zillion words"

Great work there Dave...you say you have the kale...are you doing a GS & kale wash???.

[Dave]

http://www.rumgallery.com/_Media/copper ... torts.jpeg

[Easydrinker]

Way to fly!

When life settles down, and you wish to share, please do.
It sounds like you are having some interesting results.
New stuff is always welcome here.

Robert.

[Icefever]

I've got 5kgs of corn meal & the amylase sat waiting for me to do something likewise.

As Robert said keep us posted.

[Easydrinker]

Jacob's crackers!


Brilliant man.

Keep us informed.


Robert.

[Dave]

Well, My mash is made up of 3lbs of coarse ground cornmeal, 3 1/2lbs sugar, juice from approx 100gms of boiled and squeezed curly Kale and a 7gm sachet of Lidls Easy bake dried yeast. I'm making a tad over 3 gallons in total, 'cos my boiler is only 4 gallons, and from what I gather, filling it 3/4 full is about the accepted norm.
I was so pleased with how well and quickly the Amylase converted the nearly solidified boiled cormeal starch to practically a water like consistency! I had to use two large pots to cook it in cos I didnt have one pot big enough.I used two tspns of Amylase in the first pot, and the results were amazing, but decided on just one tspn in the second pot, both same quantities, and the result was exactly the same! Brilliant stuff!!
I started the yeast in a pint glass with a tspn of sugar and warmish water, and it was working well very soon. Mixed it with the kale juice, and threw it in. It took some time to show signs of activity, and for a few hours yesterday there was a strong smell of boiled kale upstairs!!! But this morning it has gone, and the fermenting tub smells of alcohol, and is fizzing gently, so all seems to be going well. The starting gravity was 1.087, but I'm a bit sceptical about that. Anyway, that's the story so far.
Dave

[Mash]

Blimey Dave thats 'hell of a start - well done indeed !

[Dave]

Thanks Mash. I'm still a bit annoyed with myself for not starting it last week, cos then I'd have something to run now, but I've got to wait a week or so 'til it's ready! Oh well, I can always polish my still!....

[Easydrinker]

Oh so many things, to try.


Robert.