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weetsie
unlicensed tub surgeon



Registered: 05/08/11
Posts: 572
Loc: United Kingdom
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Single drum steriliser
#23399229 - 06/30/16 10:00 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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I'm wondering if something as simple as this could work.
In terms of parts it would be very cheap for me to build
float valve £8 gate valve £5 3KW boiler element £7 tank connectors £10 45gal drum £10 PID (inc relay and thermocouple) £10
I have plenty of scrap to build a stand off and rack as well as insulation.
All in all £50 or $65 
If I have a PID set to around 105c or 220f the pressure should maintain around 3psi or so. The gate valve would be left slightly open to allow a constant flow of steam over the bags.
Any input would be appreciated.
-------------------- Active grow logs: Oysters on Straw Pellets Trade list
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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: Single drum steriliser [Re: weetsie]
#23399478 - 06/30/16 11:29 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Yup, make sure you use a good SS valve, the $25 ebay one has been working great for me. Use a 25 PSI drip pressure regulator off the spigot Use high temp garden hose I recently added a sight gauge at the water level, comes in handy I went with LUBE LSP151-06-01
I spent about $300 on this rig, works really well. $65 is what i paid for the drum alone, open top plastics are hard to find. Only had it flood once on me when i adjusted the float and didn't check the height to clear the rack. I plan to upgrade to a 85 gal SS drum and 2 or 3KW element at my new home.
Video on my sterilizer
Tek on steamers I wrote, i need to add drakes steam shed, that could be scaled up or down as needed. https://www.shroomery.org/13593/Bulk-Steamer-Designs
Edited by Gr0wer (06/30/16 11:46 PM)
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weetsie
unlicensed tub surgeon



Registered: 05/08/11
Posts: 572
Loc: United Kingdom
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Re: Single drum steriliser [Re: Gr0wer]
#23399631 - 07/01/16 12:41 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
Gr0wer said: Yup, make sure you use a good SS valve, the $25 ebay one has been working great for me. Use a 25 PSI drip pressure regulator off the spigot Use high temp garden hose I recently added a sight gauge at the water level, comes in handy I went with LUBE LSP151-06-01
I spent about $300 on this rig, works really well. $65 is what i paid for the drum alone, open top plastics are hard to find. Only had it flood once on me when i adjusted the float and didn't check the height to clear the rack. I plan to upgrade to a 85 gal SS drum and 2 or 3KW element at my new home.
Tek on steamers I wrote, i need to add drakes steam shed, that could be scaled up or down as needed. https://www.shroomery.org/13593/Bulk-Steamer-Designs
I have a few steel and open top plastic drums, they must be in less demand in the UK as I've seen them as cheap as £5. I'm more worried about leaking than anything else, I might try using a plastic drum.
Could you link me to the drip pressure regulator you mentioned? I'm confused as to what it does in the system so I wouldn't know what to look for.
Is the heater controlled by a PID or run constantly? I saw the thermocouple in the video but figured that might just be for controlling pasteurising temps.
The filtered blower is genius, a couple of hours ago I was thinking along the lines of insulation on a chicken wire frame so it could be lifted off after each run to cool.
-------------------- Active grow logs: Oysters on Straw Pellets Trade list
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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: Single drum steriliser [Re: weetsie]
#23400237 - 07/01/16 07:51 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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https://www.google.com/search?q=25+psi+drip+regulator&oq=25+psi+drip&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0.4425j0j4&client=ms-android-verizon&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8
The purpose of the regulator is to take stress off the float. Its a lot easier for the float to shut off 25 psi vs 60-80. You are less likely to get a hung float valve with less pressure.
I no longer use forced air to cool. It worked for the XL bags but the L bags pack in tighter and seal off. The blower dosent push any air past the bags. I use no spacers and no racks, bags get packed in by the layer.
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SpeakSoftly
Stranger



Registered: 09/12/12
Posts: 95
Loc: North Texas
Last seen: 4 years, 9 months
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Re: Single drum steriliser [Re: Gr0wer]
#23401009 - 07/01/16 12:26 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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These low pressure release valves work very well for keeping psi in check. https://www.grainger.com/product/CONTROL-DEVICES-Brass-Pressure-Relief-Valve-36JN35?s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/36JN35_AS01?$smthumb$
I've got mine set at 2 psi, and back when I used a gas burner they would release like clockwork. I've found now that I've got mine automated with PID set at 215f my sterilizer stays right at 1 psi.
You may want to include a 5psi blow off valve for safety. Design looks good though
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weetsie
unlicensed tub surgeon



Registered: 05/08/11
Posts: 572
Loc: United Kingdom
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Thanks guys, just the reassurance I needed to commit to this.
-------------------- Active grow logs: Oysters on Straw Pellets Trade list
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SpeakSoftly
Stranger



Registered: 09/12/12
Posts: 95
Loc: North Texas
Last seen: 4 years, 9 months
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@Grower, do you still plan on going vertical with the 85 gallon drum?
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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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Yes. Much simpler design and takes up less floor space and packs much more weight vs horizontal drums, i can pack about 220-240 lbs in bags in one 55 gal drum.
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saintpedro
nom nom nom

Registered: 04/06/06
Posts: 333
Loc: heliosphere
Last seen: 5 years, 6 months
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Re: Single drum steriliser [Re: Gr0wer]
#23405842 - 07/03/16 12:39 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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I'm thinking of building a similar design to yours Grower, looks like the business. I was wondering, how often does your element switch on to bring the water back up to temperature? I'm guessing a good amount of insulation helps greatly in this, but I'm still worried about the electricity bill for a 24hr run! Thanks!
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weetsie
unlicensed tub surgeon



Registered: 05/08/11
Posts: 572
Loc: United Kingdom
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Re: Single drum steriliser [Re: saintpedro]
#23405907 - 07/03/16 01:19 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Even if it ran 100% of the time that would only be $3-4 or so right?
seems cheap enough for 200+ lbs of sub.
-------------------- Active grow logs: Oysters on Straw Pellets Trade list
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saintpedro
nom nom nom

Registered: 04/06/06
Posts: 333
Loc: heliosphere
Last seen: 5 years, 6 months
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Re: Single drum steriliser [Re: weetsie]
#23406125 - 07/03/16 05:46 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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I pay 30 cents per kWh where I am (in NZ). So running a 3kW element for 24hrs would run up $22NZD ($16USD). But I've no idea really how much of the time the element would be on, perhaps only half of the run time.
Edited by saintpedro (07/03/16 06:18 AM)
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MorePies
Stranger
Registered: 02/09/16
Posts: 808
Loc: TX
Last seen: 1 month, 3 days
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Quote:
SpeakSoftly said: These low pressure release valves work very well for keeping psi in check. https://www.grainger.com/product/CONTROL-DEVICES-Brass-Pressure-Relief-Valve-36JN35?s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/36JN35_AS01?$smthumb$
I've got mine set at 2 psi, and back when I used a gas burner they would release like clockwork. I've found now that I've got mine automated with PID set at 215f my sterilizer stays right at 1 psi.
You may want to include a 5psi blow off valve for safety. Design looks good though
Cool. How did you install and calibrate such a thing? Do you have a pressure gage too?
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PsilocyBen17
Pin Pornographer


Registered: 10/20/13
Posts: 3,751
Last seen: 1 year, 1 month
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Re: Single drum steriliser [Re: MorePies]
#23406551 - 07/03/16 10:09 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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where do you guys get the elements that go inside the drum?
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PsilocyBen17
Pin Pornographer


Registered: 10/20/13
Posts: 3,751
Last seen: 1 year, 1 month
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I'm a bit of a newb with the whole electricity thing....
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Submersible-Water-Heater-Element-12-VOLT-600-Watt-UL-Low-Voltage-battery-/172069304056?hash=item28102136f8:g:aZEAAOSwGotWntoX
Where do you find a cord for one of these? How do you make it work? And appologies if I'm threadjacking.
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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 run a 1500w element for 24 hours at 100%, direct wired to a plug and left in, so it would be $8 for saintpedro to run it. It would cost me about $3 if i was paying for electricity.
1500w https://www.amazon.com/Camco-02143-Screw--Heater-Element/dp/B0006IX89Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467566028&sr=8-1&keywords=1500w+element
The cord is 12-2 SJOOW cord from home depot.
enclosure for wiring if your threading into a plastic drum of a fitting https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/hotpod-ewl.htm
enclosure for wiring if your using a locknut on the inside of a steel or SS drum https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/hotpod-ewl3.htm
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PsilocyBen17
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Registered: 10/20/13
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Re: Single drum steriliser [Re: Gr0wer]
#23406908 - 07/03/16 12:05 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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hmmm it takes 24 hours for you guys to get up to proper temps? I'm looking at something for a garage build but it is off site so I'd hate to leave it running while im not there.....maybe an electric turkey fryer is a better idea? I dont have any experience with drum pasturization yet but am moving in that direction.
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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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If your using a steel or SS drum there isn't much to worry about. Even if the drum runs dry the element will just pop. You can also use a larger element and put a pressure relief for a pressurized run to shorten the cycle.
Edited by Gr0wer (07/03/16 09:04 PM)
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weetsie
unlicensed tub surgeon



Registered: 05/08/11
Posts: 572
Loc: United Kingdom
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Re: Single drum steriliser [Re: Gr0wer]
#23408454 - 07/03/16 09:05 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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I must admit a turkey fryer would not be my first thought if I was worried about safety
-------------------- Active grow logs: Oysters on Straw Pellets Trade list
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saintpedro
nom nom nom

Registered: 04/06/06
Posts: 333
Loc: heliosphere
Last seen: 5 years, 6 months
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Re: Single drum steriliser [Re: weetsie]
#23411475 - 07/04/16 06:57 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Why does it take 24 hours to achieve full sterilization? Reading about Roger Rabbits 55 gallon setup, it seems he runs for 8 hours once steam is being generated in the system. Maybe I'm missing something?
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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: Single drum steriliser [Re: saintpedro]
#23412139 - 07/04/16 10:45 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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I only use 1500w (5k BTU) to heat 240 lbs of sub+ 40 lbs of water and drum. It takes a while for the little element to get everything to temp, about 12 hours to hit boiling core temps, then i run it another 12 to sterilize. RR uses way more BTU and higher pressure and temps, i believe he uses a fire which is probably like 60,000+ BTU. A typical propane turkey burner is like 20-80K BTU. Thing is an electric element is like 99% efficient with transferring heat to the water since its submerged. A flame under a drum is maybe 50-70%. Unless your using natural gas electric is typically the cheaper option VS propane. I'm limited to a 15A circuit so a 1500w element is my limit at about 12A continuous, and the same circuit also runs 1/2 my living room. I'm in a rental property so its far from optimal.
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