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Author Topic: Basement electric kettle / cooler setup  (Read 6721 times)

Offline Michael

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Basement electric kettle / cooler setup
« on: August 15, 2017, 06:38:22 pm »
Here is my basement brew setup!

I have a 20 gallon electric kettle for future larger batches with 10 gallon cooler MLT and 10 gallon HLT.  5500W element with manual on/off via twist-lock receptacle.

The kettle is ventilated with a 450cfm fan and 30 quart mixing bowl attached as a hood vented out through the old dryer vent escutcheon.  Inspired from another setup I saw somewhere.

Installed a new utility sink since the old one was really gross for sanitation reasons. 








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Offline 69franx

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Re: Basement electric kettle / cooler setup
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2017, 11:09:27 pm »
Looks great, nice and shiny. Dogs look good too

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Frank L.
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In the works:  House IPA, Dark Mild, Ballantine Ale clone(still trying to work this one into the schedule)

Offline Michael

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Re: Basement electric kettle / cooler setup
« Reply #2 on: August 16, 2017, 05:55:31 am »
Thanks.  Forgot to mention the table cost about $75 to build.  66” laminate countertop and 2x4.  Only 36” to surface makes for easy access for stirring and inspecting the vessels. Steel leveling feet for my ancient basement floor also keep the wood off which should help sanitation.


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Offline weazletoe

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Re: Basement electric kettle / cooler setup
« Reply #3 on: August 28, 2017, 08:01:12 pm »
Looks really great! I just bought a house and will again have a dedicated brewery. This gives me some ideas.
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Offline Wilbur

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Re: Basement electric kettle / cooler setup
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2017, 12:06:58 pm »
I'm super jealous of the double wide utility sink. I'd love to have a nice way to set my fermenters/kettle up to dry inside, over a sink.

Offline snowtiger87

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Re: Basement electric kettle / cooler setup
« Reply #5 on: October 02, 2017, 04:40:00 pm »
What is your hood? It looks like a big bowl I would use to put sauce on chicken wings  :o
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Offline tommymorris

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Re: Basement electric kettle / cooler setup
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2017, 05:03:43 pm »
I'm super jealous of the double wide utility sink. I'd love to have a nice way to set my fermenters/kettle up to dry inside, over a sink.
+1

Offline Michael

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Re: Basement electric kettle / cooler setup
« Reply #7 on: October 02, 2017, 07:06:12 pm »
What is your hood? It looks like a big bowl I would use to put sauce on chicken wings  :o


Yep.   It’s a 30qt mixing bowl with the bottom cut out to fit to an in-line fan set.  Works reasonably well although the CFM is a little low.  Need to step up to the next size.


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Offline el_capitan

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Re: Basement electric kettle / cooler setup
« Reply #8 on: November 08, 2017, 07:28:04 pm »
Doesn't that kettle warp the counter top when it gets rolling?   I too am building a new home in the spring with a dedicated brewery space.  I like your exhaust fan solution.   

Offline EHall

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Re: Basement electric kettle / cooler setup
« Reply #9 on: November 09, 2017, 02:53:29 pm »
its such a clean space! Do you use that util sink to clean buckets, carboys, kegs, etc? how does it work out? Plenty of room? I was thinking about getting one of those.
Phoenix, AZ

Offline Michael

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Re: Basement electric kettle / cooler setup
« Reply #10 on: November 30, 2017, 02:07:23 pm »
Doesn't that kettle warp the counter top when it gets rolling?   I too am building a new home in the spring with a dedicated brewery space.  I like your exhaust fan solution.

No issues at all with the countertop.  The interface with the Formica is theoretically 212F but it’s probably really only 200F.  There is almost no noticeable heat below.


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Offline mabrungard

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Re: Basement electric kettle / cooler setup
« Reply #11 on: November 30, 2017, 02:19:36 pm »
I have a small sheet of 1/2" polyiso insulation between my boil kettle and the laminate countertop. Definitely no heat problems then. If I'm not mistaken, it takes much higher temps than 212F to warp the countertop, but I'm being extra cautious.
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Re: Basement electric kettle / cooler setup
« Reply #12 on: December 06, 2017, 09:43:51 pm »
I see no one mentioned the Gad Saad video in the background!  ;D

Offline Michael

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Re: Basement electric kettle / cooler setup
« Reply #13 on: December 09, 2017, 05:21:17 pm »
I see no one mentioned the Gad Saad video in the background!  ;D

The Saad Truth!


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