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AnarchoV
Revolutionary



Registered: 09/01/13
Posts: 225
Loc: Missouri
Last seen: 1 year, 3 days
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Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek 1
#19249265 - 12/09/13 09:25 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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I have been reading and reading on the forums on making a pasteurizer. I thought I would go ahead and add my setup that I pieced together from several forums, youtube videos and suggestions. I tried and tried to find a metal food grade barrel, but had no luck. As soon as I find one, I will be converting this to a rain barrel. Anyways, on with the show.
Parts- 1500w 120v Heating Element 1" NPS Nut with Gasket Water Heater Thermostat Plumbers tape 1600w extension cord Ground Rod and nut
Took a 1" paddle bit like this-

Made sure I had it a straight as possible and stabilized the barrel by sitting on it before drilling. I found that the 1" paddle bit was slightly smaller than the threads of the heater element. Which was fine because I wanted the snug fit-


Since the fit was too small, I took my dremel with this sanding bit and slowly increased the size of the whole-


I had to remove the gasket that was included on the water heater element because I couldn't get enough threads to show through the barrel to start the nut-

Once it was removed, I screwed the element into the barrel. It was a really snug fit. I had to use a pipe vice grip to screw it in (too cheap to buy the element wrench)-

Wrapped the element threads on the inside of the barrel with plumbers tape-

I could only find one site that sold 1" NPS nuts for water heating elements. I discovered it after looking on homebrew forums (bargain fittings)-

Slide the gasket and nut over the element and tighten it down really tight-

Strip the sheathing off the extension cord. I used this tool- http://www.lowes.com/pd_471898-295-CRT_0+2z8vi__?productId=50081446&Ntt=wire+stripper&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dwire%2Bstripper%26page%3D1&facetInfo=$1 - $5
Run the white and black wires to the connections on the heating element. Cut the black wire and follow the wiring diagram on your thermostat. Take the green ground wire and run it to the grounding rod that is inserted through a hole in the lid of the barrel. I attach the ground using the grounding rod nut. That way I can unplug the element and remove the ground and lid when I am done.


I used RTV silicone to attach a small piece of 1" PVC over the heating element wiring and to attach the thermostat to the barrel.
The great thing about using the 1" NPS nut and gasket is that I have no leaks without applying any silicone or adhesives to the element. This allows me to change out the element should it wear out.
I plan on adding a spigot so I can drain the barrel. I plan on purchasing the supplies today. I will post the drain build once I am done.
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AnarchoV
Revolutionary



Registered: 09/01/13
Posts: 225
Loc: Missouri
Last seen: 1 year, 3 days
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: AnarchoV] 1
#19249882 - 12/09/13 12:25 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Just installed the drain and it works with no leaks. Will upload some pictures this evening. Just amounts to a 1/2" spigot, washer that fits over the threads, o-ring that fits the threads, 1/2" nut. No leaks!!!
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AnarchoV
Revolutionary



Registered: 09/01/13
Posts: 225
Loc: Missouri
Last seen: 1 year, 3 days
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: AnarchoV] 1
#19249900 - 12/09/13 12:29 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Oh, the reason I used the NPS nut on the heating element is because I read that the threads are NPS. If you use a NPT nut, it won't tighten all the way and it is more prone to leaks due to the difference in threads...or so I read.
http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=95
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tko
Stranger

Registered: 05/08/13
Posts: 496
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: AnarchoV] 1
#19249931 - 12/09/13 12:37 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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seems pretty legit,how much did the parts run you minus the barrel?
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AnarchoV
Revolutionary



Registered: 09/01/13
Posts: 225
Loc: Missouri
Last seen: 1 year, 3 days
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: tko] 1
#19250004 - 12/09/13 12:54 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Thermostat- $9.99 Element- $7.97 Extension Cord- $7.14 NPS fitting- $10.45 with shipping
For the drain- All parts were from my expensive local DoItBest. Seems like they are usually overpriced.
1/2" Hose Bib- $5.79 1/2" Locknut- $3.49 O-ring- $0.39 3/4" Washer- $0.50
Total=$45.72.
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AnarchoV
Revolutionary



Registered: 09/01/13
Posts: 225
Loc: Missouri
Last seen: 1 year, 3 days
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: AnarchoV] 1
#19250032 - 12/09/13 01:00 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Crap I forgot the grounding rod and nut-
Ground Rod- $10.39 (I had to buy an 8' rod. They sell 4' Satellite rods, but I couldn't find any in my area. They are about half the price).
Ground Rod clamp- $2.99
Revised total= $59.10
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tko
Stranger

Registered: 05/08/13
Posts: 496
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: AnarchoV] 1
#19250087 - 12/09/13 01:15 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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cool deal....thats definately worth it. have you tested it to see if it stays at same temp or within the window?
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AnarchoV
Revolutionary



Registered: 09/01/13
Posts: 225
Loc: Missouri
Last seen: 1 year, 3 days
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: tko] 1
#19250165 - 12/09/13 01:32 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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I am going to test it tonight. I was just waiting to get the drain installed. I will let you know my results.
If it doesn't, I will either go with a 2000w element or a 220v. I have an extra 220v line in my basement.
I do have hot water access in the basement that will allow me to fill the barrel with hot water to reduce heating times. If I didn't, I don't think I would have used a puny element. I plan on using the 1500w for an electric keggle if it can't maintain temps.
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AllegedCultivator
Gnome grown



Registered: 11/08/12
Posts: 173
Loc: Here & There
Last seen: 8 years, 10 months
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: AnarchoV] 1
#19250223 - 12/09/13 01:44 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Very cool, let us know how it works Wish I had room for something like that.
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AnarchoV
Revolutionary



Registered: 09/01/13
Posts: 225
Loc: Missouri
Last seen: 1 year, 3 days
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It took awhile to warm the water to 150 degrees. About 2 hours to be exact. This was with the barrel 2/3 full. It stayed at the 150 degree temp range the whole time (that is the max setting for the thermostat). Once I find a metal barrel, I will probably make a 220v with a commercial thermostat that can go to 180 degrees. Anyways, it did work. I imagine that without a thermostat the temp would have continued to climb. Problem is that you would have to unplug and plug in the cord. RR advised against this due to arching.
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AnarchoV
Revolutionary



Registered: 09/01/13
Posts: 225
Loc: Missouri
Last seen: 1 year, 3 days
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: AnarchoV] 1
#19254167 - 12/10/13 07:13 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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AnarchoV
Revolutionary



Registered: 09/01/13
Posts: 225
Loc: Missouri
Last seen: 1 year, 3 days
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: AnarchoV] 1
#19254188 - 12/10/13 07:23 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Here is the drain. My camera ran out of batteries at the end, but you just have to put the oring over the threads and tighten down the nut on the inside of the barrel. No leaks! The hole I drilled was 3/4" with a paddle bit.
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dceodhz
Up And Coming

Registered: 10/19/13
Posts: 78
Loc: That's NO Moon
Last seen: 6 years, 4 months
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: AnarchoV] 1
#19254199 - 12/10/13 07:30 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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I like your design, just curious how you actually plan on pasteurizing? Like Jars into a container into the barrel? etc?
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FooMan



Registered: 02/02/05
Posts: 8,957
Loc: Earth
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: AnarchoV] 1
#19254415 - 12/10/13 09:01 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Nice and simple. I like it!
--------------------
Quick WBS Prep
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cronicr



Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 61,436
Loc: Van Isle
Last seen: 2 years, 1 month
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: FooMan] 1
#19254610 - 12/10/13 10:08 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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just waiting on updates....
--------------------
  It doesn't matter what i think of you...all that matters is clean spawn I'm tired do me a favor
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tko
Stranger

Registered: 05/08/13
Posts: 496
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: cronicr] 1
#19254634 - 12/10/13 10:16 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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2 hrs to reach 150? did you dump just room temp water in?
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AnarchoV
Revolutionary



Registered: 09/01/13
Posts: 225
Loc: Missouri
Last seen: 1 year, 3 days
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: tko] 1
#19255271 - 12/10/13 12:47 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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I will use a laundry bag to pasteurize straw. I will also attach a pulley to the ceiling to hoist the bag out. It took 2 hours to warm water that was probably 80-90 degrees. The element is really puny. I didn't want to invest much since I plan on using a metal barrel once I can find food grade. I plan on converting this to a rain barrel and using the parts for an electric keggle for homebrew.
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AnarchoV
Revolutionary



Registered: 09/01/13
Posts: 225
Loc: Missouri
Last seen: 1 year, 3 days
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: AnarchoV] 1
#19255277 - 12/10/13 12:48 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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I also plan on insulating with a tarp or old blankets.
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HypnotoadCroaked
Retired, but will check MSGs

Registered: 01/05/13
Posts: 1,168
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: AnarchoV] 1
#19255373 - 12/10/13 01:14 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
AnarchoV said: I will use a laundry bag to pasteurize straw. I will also attach a pulley to the ceiling to hoist the bag out. It took 2 hours to warm water that was probably 80-90 degrees. The element is really puny. I didn't want to invest much since I plan on using a metal barrel once I can find food grade. I plan on converting this to a rain barrel and using the parts for an electric keggle for homebrew.
I am certain you could contact a local metal fabrication shop and ask for a cut of a large diameter stainless steel pipe. Try and find a local mechanical contracter who has a weld shop. They may charge less than the standard "junk yard" welders, as most mechanical fab shops are related more to round pipes. It may cost a few hundred in time/material, but they certainly could take that pipe weld a bottom on, and put a few threaded bungs (threadolets/sockolet). A metal container may need insulated.
Aside from that: OP You are amazing! What a very well thought out and executed plan! I enjoy the pulley idea to lift the straw out.
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AnarchoV
Revolutionary



Registered: 09/01/13
Posts: 225
Loc: Missouri
Last seen: 1 year, 3 days
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Re: Substrate Pasteurizer- 55 Gallon Plastic Tek [Re: HypnotoadCroaked] 1
#19257162 - 12/10/13 07:19 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Thanks, Whippy. I eventually plan on using a metal trash can. I saw someone using one on YouTube with holes drilled in it. I don't have quite enough grain spawn built up yet to worry about that much substrate. I hope to soon. I have 30 quarts of blue oyster that are staggered in colonization. I am going to keep building and expanding while I learn. I am still very very new. I currently sell produce at farmers markets and want something to supplement income in the winter. The spent substrate will go quite well in my compost and soil.
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