Looking to purchase brewstand, thoughts?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by hopfacebrew, Feb 28, 2012.

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  1. hopfacebrew

    hopfacebrew Initiate (0) Jul 26, 2011 Colorado

    I am ready to switch to AG from PM, and thanks to a promotion at work I can afford to do so! I don't have the budget for a Brutus-type system and am partial to welded as opposed to the erector-type models out there. That being said, I am trying to keep options open and found a local guy who builds brewstands:

    http://www.jlbbrewfab.com/brewing-stands.html

    As I don't weld and don't know anyone who does this seems like a reasonable option and within my budget, for now.

    I was hoping people might take a second to check out the stand and let me know any thoughts. I am strongly considering this option so is there anything I might not be aware of that I should consider? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

    I currently have 2 keggles and a 10-gallon cooler MLT and will be purchasing at least 1 pump.

    Thanks! [​IMG]
     
    #1 hopfacebrew, Feb 28, 2012
  2. leedorham

    leedorham Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2006 Washington

    Seems like a lot of dough when you consider this - (pumps not included)
     
    #2 leedorham, Feb 28, 2012
  3. hopfacebrew

    hopfacebrew Initiate (0) Jul 26, 2011 Colorado

    Yes, but I can't find anything cheaper. I was going to go with the erector-style build using angle iron, but have read that they require a lot of maintenance and may not be sturdy. The last thing I need is to have the thing collapse mid-brew under the weight of everything!
     
    #3 hopfacebrew, Feb 28, 2012
  4. leedorham

    leedorham Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2006 Washington

    Honestly, I don't get the appeal of brew stands like this one. They are essentially just 3 propane burners stuck in a metal frame. Why not just buy three SP10's or SP14's and put them next to each other?That would cost you about $150. You wouldn't have the heat shielding for the pumps but you could just work with a portable pump setup a-la the "pump in a toolbox" type.
     
    #4 leedorham, Feb 28, 2012
  5. barfdiggs

    barfdiggs Initiate (0) Mar 22, 2011 California

    I have a 3 tiered stand that I got as a birthday present from my wife & mom, built by brewstands.com ($700), and I'm very happy with it. The stand was designed to work as gravity driven or pump fed stand, so I was able to brew without the use of pumps. If I had to buy another one, I'd probably get a single tier with two march pumps, primarily for safety's sake. The tiered stands are a little scary, especially when doing 25 gallon batches with multiple burners running at once.

    For the price of the stand you're looking at, its a good deal, especially since you don't have the welding skills required. Morebeer also makes incredibly nice tiered and flat stands +/- kettles, tubing, fittings, etc., so you may want to look there, although it might be more expensive depending on what you're interested in and the cost of freight.

    Leedorham's suggestion makes financial sense if thats a primary concern of yours.
     
    #5 barfdiggs, Feb 28, 2012
  6. hopfacebrew

    hopfacebrew Initiate (0) Jul 26, 2011 Colorado

    I understand the notion behind multiple burners and lessening expenses, and I respect that. However, ultimately I want to go electric and this would be the first step.

    I looked at the sculptures at morebeer, pretty sweet, but a little too pricey. I was thinking the same thing with tiered systems, I have 2 kids under 3 at home and don't want to worry about it. Again, last thing we need to have is a spill, or equipment falling or something.

    I appreciate the feedback guys!
     
    #6 hopfacebrew, Feb 28, 2012
  7. WickedSluggy

    WickedSluggy Savant (1,129) Nov 21, 2008 Texas

    Need banjos on the outer 2 stations or at least the BK station. High output is fine for MLT cause you only hit it for short bursts (mine's RIMS, so I use center only if RIMS tube can't maintain temps (also meaningless if using a cooler). Each needs it'd own regulator plus a master.

    The pump mounts seem too close together. If you decide to use hard plumbing you will need to spread them apart.

    You need castor wheels, I think. I'd hate cleanup without them.

    Price seems okay for what youre getting though.
     
    #7 WickedSluggy, Feb 29, 2012
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  8. KYzac

    KYzac Initiate (0) Jun 27, 2009 Kentucky

    #8 KYzac, Feb 29, 2012
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  9. WickedSluggy

    WickedSluggy Savant (1,129) Nov 21, 2008 Texas

    I'm gas and electric. I have 4000 watt 220 element in a RIMS tube and a 4500 watt 220v element in the HLT. Both are on 110v 15 amp circuits. The RIMS tube should remain on 110, buy I'd like to go to the 220 on the HLT so I can get the full 4500watts. I see no reason to go electric on the BK.

    I use a BCS 460 as my controller. You should take a look at those if you plan on going electric. I can start my MLT from my office over the web, monitor temperitures, etc. So I can now brew after work author being up until 1am.
     
    #9 WickedSluggy, Feb 29, 2012
  10. hopfacebrew

    hopfacebrew Initiate (0) Jul 26, 2011 Colorado

    This is great. Do you have recommendations for the burners?

    And casters is a definite, I need to be able to move it around for sure!
     
    #10 hopfacebrew, Feb 29, 2012
  11. trginter

    trginter Pundit (755) Dec 1, 2008 Michigan

    You have any pictures of your setup? Sounds pretty legit.
     
    #11 trginter, Feb 29, 2012
  12. hopfacebrew

    hopfacebrew Initiate (0) Jul 26, 2011 Colorado

    I looked at that, too. I was looking at getting a set of 3 Banjos, casters, 2x pump shields, 2x pump mounts the price comes to about $750 with shipping.

    The original link, prior to adding better burners, with the same runs about $100 less, which I suppose might be negligible with the burners?

    I've heard good things about the brewers equipment model though. Do you like it!?
     
    #12 hopfacebrew, Feb 29, 2012
  13. WickedSluggy

    WickedSluggy Savant (1,129) Nov 21, 2008 Texas

    http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/47583594@N08/6924118587/sizes/in/photostream/
    Not the greatest detail here, but if you zoom in between the MLT (middle Sanke keg) and the small kettle on its left, you'll see some of the copper RIMS tube. The BCS controller and relay box are in cases attached to the erector-set looking rack in the upper left.
     
    #13 WickedSluggy, Feb 29, 2012
  14. hopfacebrew

    hopfacebrew Initiate (0) Jul 26, 2011 Colorado

    That's the coolest thing I have ever heard, seriously!?
     
    #14 hopfacebrew, Feb 29, 2012
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  15. WickedSluggy

    WickedSluggy Savant (1,129) Nov 21, 2008 Texas

    It us cool. You can do it with gas too, but then you have to buy solinoid type valves to turn gas on and off, and you need pilot lights. So the gas pluming is not quite as simple. But you can control all of it with the BCS controller and a few more relays.
     
    #15 WickedSluggy, Feb 29, 2012
  16. Gonzoillini

    Gonzoillini Initiate (0) Oct 15, 2008 Illinois

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/gonzoillini/4844928607/in/set-72157624534009560

    We were able to build this stand for about $350 (including the keggles) and some homebrew for the welder who was a family friend. Its nice as we can remove the HLT and Mash tun extensions to turn it into a single tier system when / if I want to purchase some pumps.

    However, besides the price being a little more than I'd be comfortable paying, I think it looks like a pretty solid brewstand. You will need a second pump as its single tier, so after figuring in the need for two pumps + the brewstand your going to be at $800 or so. I found that building / designing your own stand was immensely rewarding if your into fabrication.

    Cheers!
     
    #16 Gonzoillini, Feb 29, 2012
  17. LostTraveler

    LostTraveler Initiate (0) Oct 28, 2011 Maine

    #17 LostTraveler, Feb 29, 2012
  18. dfess1

    dfess1 Initiate (0) May 20, 2003 Pennsylvania

    That king cooker doesn't look like it can hold the weight. On the pump issue, look into Little Giant pumps. Work just as well as the March, and is a little cheaper (quieter too). Do you know anyone that is a welder/fabricator? Or know someone who knows someone? If you can design your own, you may like it even more. Mine is designed so I can store the pots under the burners (and yeah, you'll want the banjo's).There were other design considerations as well (it doubles as a three burner stove for my BBQ rig), wanted all beer related pieces to be able to come off easily, couldn't be taller than 30" or the wife couldn't stir without having to get on a step stool (she's short).

    https://picasaweb.google.com/108796212728122095406/BrewStand?authuser=0&feat=directlink
     
    #18 dfess1, Feb 29, 2012
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  19. hopfacebrew

    hopfacebrew Initiate (0) Jul 26, 2011 Colorado

    That's a pretty sweet stand.

    I researched the king kookers and found that there stability for large batches will be an issue. Good price, though. Further, I am not sure that is a design I want to work around as I upgrade down the line.

    Unfortunately, I do not know any welders. I looked into learning myself specifically for brewing projects but that in itself is pricey! I like the idea of storing everything under the burners, however I have no access to a welder. I posted on Craigslist to see if perhaps I could hire someone, but not response as of yet.

    Again, thank you all for your comments.
     
    #19 hopfacebrew, Feb 29, 2012
  20. dfess1

    dfess1 Initiate (0) May 20, 2003 Pennsylvania

    #20 dfess1, Feb 29, 2012
    hopfacebrew likes this.
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