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Melchizedech
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Registered: 09/15/15
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Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer
#23796756 - 11/03/16 05:55 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Hey guys, I'm adding mushrooms to my startup farm. So.
I'm familiar with the RR setup, but it led me to wonder: why two tanks? I've never built anything of the sort and i'm not savvy with pressure regulating devices.
But honestly, I don't see why this setup wouldn't work.
Tips are welcome. I really like Solarity's setup, but I don't know where to find such a tank. And I have zero experience with welding. I'll stick tothe 55gal drum for now. While searching I saw a post with a large scale commercial steamer and 6 horizontal tanks. With tanks closer together, and some insulation, I would definitely build such a set up.
Yeah money is of concern here.
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Melchizedech
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Melchizedech]
#23796759 - 11/03/16 05:56 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Buster_Brown
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Melchizedech]
#23796782 - 11/03/16 06:16 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Melchizedech
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Buster_Brown]
#23797023 - 11/03/16 09:30 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Ok I'm getting some popcorn too. Did some more digging. This post is irrelevant.
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Buster_Brown
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Melchizedech]
#23797923 - 11/03/16 02:45 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Ah yes, Grower devised a similar apparatus with the added convenience of an automatic water-level control:
Edited by Buster_Brown (11/03/16 03:45 PM)
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Melchizedech
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Buster_Brown]
#23798194 - 11/03/16 04:05 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Had a change of course.
This is what I'm building now.
I'm puzzled regarding the installation of the heating element. Especially how to hook it on electricity? And the wattage. 4500w would be too high?
Quite the learning curve as I've never welded before. Anyways. FUN.
EDIT: Except that I'm using electricity, not propane. I won't be installing the clear pipe for water level. And not sure about the safety valves either.
And yeah, I can't fail. I need to make a living out of this.
Edited by Melchizedech (11/03/16 04:07 PM)
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poponon
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Melchizedech]
#23798280 - 11/03/16 04:29 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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amazing video. thanks for sharing - it's one thing to read about it but seeing someone explain it while visually pointing everything out is awesome.
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Buster_Brown
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Melchizedech]
#23798576 - 11/03/16 06:13 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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4500 watts will take a 50 amp breaker, but should shorten the time to produce steam considerably.
While you practice with the welder you might cut the heater mounting bracket from a defunct water-heater then weld it to the 55 gal drum.
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Melchizedech
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Melchizedech]
#23798702 - 11/03/16 06:51 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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I know, right? It's a brilliant set up, and pretty cheap too. It's a day built, that's it. I'll nail it for 250$ (w/o the safety valve and the clear pipe). I'll just trust the PSI water pipe.
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Melchizedech
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Buster_Brown]
#23798720 - 11/03/16 06:55 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Ah! Thanks!
I just drove next to a shop which had an old heater tank outside.

50 amp breaker eh? Hmm. I'll try not to kill myself. Please do grab more popcorn. Lol.
What's the highest wattage I coulg get on a normal plug?
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Melchizedech
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Melchizedech]
#23798730 - 11/03/16 06:59 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Ah, ok
This house has one 40 amp two 30 amp breaker two 20 amps and the rest are 15 amp breakers
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Melchizedech
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Melchizedech]
#23798774 - 11/03/16 07:14 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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So, while I'm designing my setup, I notice:
Compared to the video I posted, this is my reasoning:
1. Why put the steam entrance on top of the barrel? You would save energy and metal by putting the input of steam lower on the barrel. Anyways, heat rises.
2. Why bother with the PSI gauge? I do admit it looks better, but it is really useful? Again, extra costs and potential for failure.
3. Safety gauge on top? Again, I don't see much use as anyway, it's only going to 2 psi. More welding, more metal, more costs. And it's going to be a bitch when you insulate them.
Edited by Melchizedech (11/03/16 07:16 PM)
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Buster_Brown
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Melchizedech]
#23798792 - 11/03/16 07:18 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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A 30 amp breaker should do, at most, two 1500 watt heater elements, which you might find (along with the temperature control which may be adjustable to a higher temp) in that waterheater you salvaged, and be able to use in your application.
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Buster_Brown
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Melchizedech]
#23798801 - 11/03/16 07:23 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Melchizedech said: So, while I'm designing my setup, I notice:
...3. Safety gauge on top? Again, I don't see much use as anyway, it's only going to 2 psi. More welding, more metal, more costs. .
If you don't seal the lid but only weight it down then pressure can escape without the possibility of explosion.
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shroombasa
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Buster_Brown]
#23798974 - 11/03/16 08:14 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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There are a few posts about modifying sauna steam generators to replace boiler designs. If you have some basic knowledge of electronics, you can buy a 6 kW unit on eBay for $150 and rig it to run continuously. Also, if you have a clothes dryer in your home, it likely runs off of a 220V line with a high enough rating to power the steamer (the steamers are generally 220V).
Do you have any plans for a flowhood? Or fruiting chamber? Have you thought about how much you want to grow per week?
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poponon
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Melchizedech]
#23798993 - 11/03/16 08:20 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Melchizedech said:
1. Why put the steam entrance on top of the barrel? You would save energy and metal by putting the input of steam lower on the barrel. Anyways, heat rises.
I'm thinking he placed it here to avoid the condensate flow . not sure though
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Melchizedech
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Melchizedech]
#23799017 - 11/03/16 08:27 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Ah! Sauna steamer, that's brilliant. I really need to do some reading on electricity and electronics.
To my sterile room, I plan to install a 24x12 hepa with a blower. I guess that would make it a flowhood.

Numbers wise, I'm not sure yet. Grocery stores don't have mushrooms for hundreds of KM in radius here. Same for microgreens. So I'm going there.
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Melchizedech
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: poponon]
#23799022 - 11/03/16 08:29 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Yes I thought about that but you can only put it a few inches on the side/top of barrel.
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Melchizedech
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: poponon]
#23799029 - 11/03/16 08:31 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
poponon said:
Quote:
Melchizedech said:
1. Why put the steam entrance on top of the barrel? You would save energy and metal by putting the input of steam lower on the barrel. Anyways, heat rises.
I'm thinking he placed it here to avoid the condensate flow . not sure though
Yes I thought about that but you can only put it a few inches on the side/top of barrel.
PS: just figured out the quote button. Makes it much easier.
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Buster_Brown
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Melchizedech]
#23799730 - 11/04/16 04:26 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Melchizedech said:
I really need to do some reading on electricity and electronics.
Watts divided by volts = amps
so 1500 watts divided by 110 volts = 13.6 = a 15 amp breaker
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Melchizedech
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Buster_Brown]
#23799753 - 11/04/16 04:53 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Buster_Brown said:
Quote:
Melchizedech said:
I really need to do some reading on electricity and electronics.
Watts divided by volts = amps
so 1500 watts divided by 110 volts = 13.6 = a 15 amp breaker
That simple eh?
I can remember that 
So last night it occurred to me. Why would someone bother with a 6kw sauna steam system (unless you can get it cheap) when a 4.5kw stick is roughly 30$ ? Slight difference, but the price range is out of question. At least for this grasshopper.
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Buster_Brown
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Re: Single drum 55 semi-sterelizer [Re: Melchizedech]
#23799782 - 11/04/16 05:34 AM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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I don't know but it seems to me that the tool autorepairshops use to cut and weld mufflers is the right tool for working on the thin steel of 55 gal drums.
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