Hey guys, just came across a project I have been meaning to do for a while now and wondered about going a step further. Let me know what you all think, please!!!
I made a lid for my mash tun (MT) a while back out of 1/2" plywood and white bubbly Styrofoam that I shaped with a hot clothes hanger. Since the Styrofoam would be a PITA to clean I have been using a cookie sheet between it and the new made lid. I had always planned on sealing it with some sort of thick paintable sealant so I could use it directly on top of my tun, and have finally run into a perfect choice for doing so with a product called Plasti-Dip http://www.plastidip.com/consumer/index.html . I read a couple of threads that Bernie Brewer chimed in on with this product so I gave it a look. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=20586&highlight=plasti-dip, https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=13545&highlight=plasti-dip, https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15441&highlight=plasti-dip, https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=10205&highlight=plasti-dip. Thank you by the way Bernie Brewer. This stuff is exactly what I was looking for as far as usability/do-ability and aesthetics. So, now that I am going to complete my lid (finally), my question comes to you guys in that I am wondering about covering my MT as well.
I always wanted nice pretty stainless to look at, but after the trouble of trying to keep temperature in such a vessel I had to wrap it with duct insulation. So, to me it is ugly now. If it needs to be cleaned up aesthetically then why not with the same plastic coating used on the lid? Now for the answers I am looking for. I plan on wrapping the tun with something a little more rigid like thin plastic and taping it and the corners down so it has a smoother look. Then I would tape off the top of the keg so it would not get covered in Plasti-Dip. Now, all I have to do is cover and tape the valve on the bottom and start spraying with Plasti-Dip. The stuff says it insulates from heat as well, but I wouldn't know how effective an insulator it is by itself.
My hot liquor tun (HLT) is also in need of the exact same fabrication of duct insulation and Plasti-Dip.
When I bought that from Sabco I was not expecting the tape and painted side on the keg, but I now know it doesn't matter as it needs to be insulated. I am planning on installing an electric hot water heating element, a stirrer blade, and a Ranco controller with thermowell in the lid I am manufacturing for the HLT. This will do away with the burner stand underneath the HLT and will allow me to completely insulate the underneath. With the underneath and the new lid I should be in great shape of controlled temperature and maintenance. There is one last piece of equipment I was thinking about giving an insulation job and a Plasti-Dip covering to. My lautering grant (LG).
I figure if I am doing so much why not it all. I know I lose a little temperature every time I put something through the LG and it will match the rest of my brewery. LOL, now I will only be unhappy with the way the kettle looks.
Oh well, might have to bust out the high grit sand paper one day and work my way into some bar keepers friend on a polish brush..... one day, lol. I heard something about pickling stainless somewhere on here, might have to check that out again for an idea. Man I really need to paint (maybe have powder coated) the brew stand and but some casters on the bottom along with some 4" square plastic tube ends to really finish the brewery off nicely. I don't know what I will do once this thing is presentable, lol. I have been hiding it from my friends as is for so long I can't remember and would really like to beautify my setup.
Let me know you guys criticisms/praises/new or different ideas.
I made a lid for my mash tun (MT) a while back out of 1/2" plywood and white bubbly Styrofoam that I shaped with a hot clothes hanger. Since the Styrofoam would be a PITA to clean I have been using a cookie sheet between it and the new made lid. I had always planned on sealing it with some sort of thick paintable sealant so I could use it directly on top of my tun, and have finally run into a perfect choice for doing so with a product called Plasti-Dip http://www.plastidip.com/consumer/index.html . I read a couple of threads that Bernie Brewer chimed in on with this product so I gave it a look. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=20586&highlight=plasti-dip, https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=13545&highlight=plasti-dip, https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15441&highlight=plasti-dip, https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=10205&highlight=plasti-dip. Thank you by the way Bernie Brewer. This stuff is exactly what I was looking for as far as usability/do-ability and aesthetics. So, now that I am going to complete my lid (finally), my question comes to you guys in that I am wondering about covering my MT as well.
I always wanted nice pretty stainless to look at, but after the trouble of trying to keep temperature in such a vessel I had to wrap it with duct insulation. So, to me it is ugly now. If it needs to be cleaned up aesthetically then why not with the same plastic coating used on the lid? Now for the answers I am looking for. I plan on wrapping the tun with something a little more rigid like thin plastic and taping it and the corners down so it has a smoother look. Then I would tape off the top of the keg so it would not get covered in Plasti-Dip. Now, all I have to do is cover and tape the valve on the bottom and start spraying with Plasti-Dip. The stuff says it insulates from heat as well, but I wouldn't know how effective an insulator it is by itself.
My hot liquor tun (HLT) is also in need of the exact same fabrication of duct insulation and Plasti-Dip.
When I bought that from Sabco I was not expecting the tape and painted side on the keg, but I now know it doesn't matter as it needs to be insulated. I am planning on installing an electric hot water heating element, a stirrer blade, and a Ranco controller with thermowell in the lid I am manufacturing for the HLT. This will do away with the burner stand underneath the HLT and will allow me to completely insulate the underneath. With the underneath and the new lid I should be in great shape of controlled temperature and maintenance. There is one last piece of equipment I was thinking about giving an insulation job and a Plasti-Dip covering to. My lautering grant (LG).
I figure if I am doing so much why not it all. I know I lose a little temperature every time I put something through the LG and it will match the rest of my brewery. LOL, now I will only be unhappy with the way the kettle looks.
Oh well, might have to bust out the high grit sand paper one day and work my way into some bar keepers friend on a polish brush..... one day, lol. I heard something about pickling stainless somewhere on here, might have to check that out again for an idea. Man I really need to paint (maybe have powder coated) the brew stand and but some casters on the bottom along with some 4" square plastic tube ends to really finish the brewery off nicely. I don't know what I will do once this thing is presentable, lol. I have been hiding it from my friends as is for so long I can't remember and would really like to beautify my setup.
Let me know you guys criticisms/praises/new or different ideas.