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moonlightmushrooms
farmur

Registered: 05/10/14
Posts: 214
Loc: canada
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
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Another 55g Low Pressure Sterilizer
#22370422 - 10/12/15 08:22 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Hey guys, I know there are many threads out there about this and RR has done extensive threads and tek on this. My situation is a little different in that I already have a setup to brew beer using a modified 15g sanke keg. It works great and I don't want to lose it to the mushroom business So here's what I'm thinking:

All valves are 1/2" ball. All tubing will be high-temp silicone (takes 250F). I'm hoping to keep the kettle at boiling for 12h and run the barrel at 1~2 psi depending on how I control the steam out valve.
Any ideas on how to improve this contraption would be awesome!
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solarity
mm... my favourite food



Registered: 03/31/09
Posts: 1,590
Loc: UK
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Don't have a valve on the exit. If you don't have one you can't accidentally leave it closed - why run at pressure?
Control the heater from a stat sensor in the barrel. You will also need to be able take the temp inside the bag in the centre of the stack.
-------------------- Commercial exotics farmer for 8 years - now sold up!
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drake89
Mushroom Magnate



Registered: 06/26/11
Posts: 4,168
Loc: TN
Last seen: 4 years, 10 months
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Re: Another 55g Low Pressure Sterilizer [Re: solarity]
#22372299 - 10/13/15 09:17 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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dont blow yourself up
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moonlightmushrooms
farmur

Registered: 05/10/14
Posts: 214
Loc: canada
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
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Re: Another 55g Low Pressure Sterilizer [Re: solarity]
#22372375 - 10/13/15 09:34 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
solarity said: Don't have a valve on the exit. If you don't have one you can't accidentally leave it closed - why run at pressure?
Control the heater from a stat sensor in the barrel. You will also need to be able take the temp inside the bag in the centre of the stack.
Valve at the top is to slow the venting, and increase the pressure slightly.
Stat sensor? Like a mercoid pressure switch?
How would you recommend taking an internal temperature of a bag? I had planned on using the 18" fryer thermometer to gauge what's going on in the centre, but not inside a bag...
@drake: I'm planning on using BBQ aluminium foil sealed to an existing hole in the cover. According to guys in the distiller forums this is the safest way to avoid over pressure, it can never get jammed and will fail at around 1psi.
Edited by moonlightmushrooms (10/13/15 08:09 PM)
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Gr0wer
always improving


Registered: 09/16/03
Posts: 6,056
Loc: El Paso, TX
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
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You would probably want to secure the lid on your bottom keg somehow. A 12" lid would need 226 lbs to hold back 2 psi. One idea would be use a keg as a boiler with a tri clover adapter to whatever size you need. For the element a clean and easy option would be this solder on element kit you would just need a propane torch, flux and solder
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moonlightmushrooms
farmur

Registered: 05/10/14
Posts: 214
Loc: canada
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
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Re: Another 55g Low Pressure Sterilizer [Re: Gr0wer]
#22376051 - 10/13/15 09:57 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Gr0wer said: You would probably want to secure the lid on your bottom keg somehow. A 12" lid would need 226 lbs to hold back 2 psi. One idea would be use a keg as a boiler with a tri clover adapter to whatever size you need. For the element a clean and easy option would be this solder on element kit you would just need a propane torch, flux and solder
Hey thanks for doing the math! I forgot to mention I was aiming for a slight overpressure with a max at 2psi. No way I'll make that with 1/2" steel plate I was planning on using (probably only weighs 30lbs). My kettle is all made up so I'm confused how I would use the tri-clover or soldered element? Can you expand a bit on this? Maybe I should mention my keggle looks like this, with sanke connector on the bottom.
My biggest concern is burning out the element by over firing it while trying to keep the temp a 212F and if keeping the temp in the kettle will translate into enough steam to sterilize the sub.
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Gr0wer
always improving


Registered: 09/16/03
Posts: 6,056
Loc: El Paso, TX
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
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I was recommending using a new sanke keg as a boiler with no lid cut out. Kegs are cheap even if you already have a keggle it may be best to find a new keg than try to seal it up again. You will never burn out an element unless you run it dry with no water. They are designed to run at 100% duty cycle for extended periods, coming from 4 years E-brewing experience.
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solarity
mm... my favourite food



Registered: 03/31/09
Posts: 1,590
Loc: UK
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Re: Another 55g Low Pressure Sterilizer [Re: Gr0wer]
#22376808 - 10/14/15 02:01 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Sorry, not clear! I mean thermostat. Run the tank at 97C and switch the element (via a contactor of course) I take the probe from an STC 100, flatten out a sub bag, and fold it over so the probe is in the middle. more info here http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/20622170#20622170
-------------------- Commercial exotics farmer for 8 years - now sold up!
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moonlightmushrooms
farmur

Registered: 05/10/14
Posts: 214
Loc: canada
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
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Re: Another 55g Low Pressure Sterilizer [Re: solarity]
#22415061 - 10/21/15 06:48 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Well it's done 10 bags but I still have some major hurdles to getting it dialed in. Ran a pasteurization load of straw and coffee husks with some gypsum. Used a meat thermometer to monitor interior bag temperature and shut off the boiler when the temp hit 165F.
Had a major leak around the rim and no amount of stuffed wax paper or nylon cord seemed to stop it, also the makeshift boiler lid held down with a rachet strap puffed steam a few too many times for my liking. I'm starting to understand what you were talking about gr0wer, with building a new one from scratch On the bright side it only took 30mins to get the temp from room to boiling and then it only had to fire for a few seconds per minute to keep it there.
What are people using to hydrate their straw before steam pasteurization? I did a 12 hour soak and a 4 hour drain and while the straw went in at about "perfect" humidity it came out much wetter. I'm worried that innoculating without a flow hood and having such wet sub I might lose the entire batch. Any thoughts?
Here's the bad boy in action:
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Gr0wer
always improving


Registered: 09/16/03
Posts: 6,056
Loc: El Paso, TX
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
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look into getting a PID and SSR on that, save yourself the fiddling. For straw i find a 24+ hour soak with a dab of soap works best. 6 lb bags were a whole pound lighter when i gave them a shorter soak. I also hot water bath pasteurize so im not dealing with the same moisture issues as you if your bagging and steam pasteurizing. You should never need a flow hood with pasteurized sub. Think of how i do it, take soaking straw and let it drain then transfer to a table while its dripping wet. I just have a fan blowing on it outside to cool and wick some of the moisture away, no filter or nothing. If i stumble on a bag that's a bit wet ill spread it out and wait a few min before spawning as the fan pulls away moisture. I've probably made close to 50 bags by now and not a single one contaminated yet.... knock on wood.
Looks good btw, i need to make my single barrel steam setup asap for my shiitake and kings. and go get a new keg and place a tri clover connection on the lip, save yourself the trouble. I have a gutted and cleaned sanke keg sitting behind me but that's destined to be a still this weekend
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drake89
Mushroom Magnate



Registered: 06/26/11
Posts: 4,168
Loc: TN
Last seen: 4 years, 10 months
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Quote:
moonlightmushrooms said: Well it's done 10 bags but I still have some major hurdles to getting it dialed in. Ran a pasteurization load of straw and coffee husks with some gypsum. Used a meat thermometer to monitor interior bag temperature and shut off the boiler when the temp hit 165F.
Had a major leak around the rim and no amount of stuffed wax paper or nylon cord seemed to stop it, also the makeshift boiler lid held down with a rachet strap puffed steam a few too many times for my liking. I'm starting to understand what you were talking about gr0wer, with building a new one from scratch On the bright side it only took 30mins to get the temp from room to boiling and then it only had to fire for a few seconds per minute to keep it there.
What are people using to hydrate their straw before steam pasteurization? I did a 12 hour soak and a 4 hour drain and while the straw went in at about "perfect" humidity it came out much wetter. I'm worried that innoculating without a flow hood and having such wet sub I might lose the entire batch. Any thoughts?
Here's the bad boy in action:

i don't know wtf roger rabbit was thinking with the wax paper. there's these things called gaskets that they make to stop leaks. i'll even send you one if you PM me. Oh, and I hope this isn't in your house...cause when it blows up there goes your insurance policy. I doubt ghetto rigged boilers are covered
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Gr0wer
always improving


Registered: 09/16/03
Posts: 6,056
Loc: El Paso, TX
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
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Re: Another 55g Low Pressure Sterilizer [Re: drake89]
#22417233 - 10/22/15 08:40 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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well he does have that tinfoil blowoff... although if it hasn't been tested it may hold 20 psi which would be 4 tons of force on the lid. So if anything the lid would just pop off... so yea stand clear of its trajectory lol. A water column is a much more calibrated and reliable blow off than most mechanical means but it doesn't sound like this unit is under much pressure as is anyways.
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Aleon
The Power of Our Origins



Registered: 05/26/11
Posts: 1,127
Loc: Everywhere
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Re: Another 55g Low Pressure Sterilizer [Re: drake89]
#22417235 - 10/22/15 08:42 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
drake89 said: Oh, and I hope this isn't in your house...cause when it blows up there goes your insurance policy. I doubt ghetto rigged boilers are covered 
-------------------- Mushroom medicines available at: www.swordandshieldwellness.com
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drake89
Mushroom Magnate



Registered: 06/26/11
Posts: 4,168
Loc: TN
Last seen: 4 years, 10 months
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Re: Another 55g Low Pressure Sterilizer [Re: Gr0wer]
#22417422 - 10/22/15 09:45 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Gr0wer said: well he does have that tinfoil blowoff... although if it hasn't been tested it may hold 20 psi which would be 4 tons of force on the lid. So if anything the lid would just pop off... so yea stand clear of its trajectory lol. A water column is a much more calibrated and reliable blow off than most mechanical means but it doesn't sound like this unit is under much pressure as is anyways.
i just don't mess around with steam. It may be more dangerous than fire. I bet it's fine but just trying to keep people safe.
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moonlightmushrooms
farmur

Registered: 05/10/14
Posts: 214
Loc: canada
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
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Re: Another 55g Low Pressure Sterilizer [Re: drake89]
#22441347 - 10/27/15 06:21 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Three firings now and no issues! Takes 30mins to boil (from 70F water) and then another 1.75 hours to get the middle bag to over 160F @ $.10/kwh I figure it's costing me about $1 to pasteurize 30lbs of sub; about the same as heating 45g to 160F but without the cold spots. Feels cleaner too, and judging by a my first few runs the colonizing is going faster.
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