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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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55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions 3
#23970996 - 12/31/16 02:31 PM (7 years, 30 days ago) |
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For a complete list of parts check out my kit on kit.com. Please purchase items using the links so i get a commission on the sale for my creation, at no added cost to you.
https://kit.com/MyersMushrooms/drum-sterilizer
for a video on how to build this, see here
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwnbXnZDzBWVKE6Xot9jNUCCuY7CMk-RR
So this is actually my 85 gal drum im building. I get my drums from bubbasbarrels.com. Used they are about $200+150 shipping my 55 and 85 are both new and were $500 and $900 each. The hot pod element cover, and weldless bulkhead for the drain i get from brewhardware.com. The float valve is a ss 1/2" float from ebay from a vendor named aquamedia. The fittings, valve and garden hose thread adapters you can get from amazon or a local hardware store. I use 1500w elements for a 55 and 2000w for a 85. I highly recomend using a Stainless Steel element to reduce any chance of rust. The pictures above i don't have the 1/2 drain valve on the drain port yet. I drain the tank after each run as the water gets all dirty and you don't want electrolysis on the element.
To supply water you will need to regulate it down below 20 psi. I recommend a RV regulator, an adjustable one can be purchase for about $40 from amazon. To supply the water to the valve use either a red hot water garden hose or a braided stainless steel washer supply hose. The red hoses i can only find in 25 or 50 foot lengths and the washer hoses 5-6 ft. If you don't regulate your pressure down its a lot easier for the float to stick and flood your tank.
So first thing i do is use blue machinists dye for my markings. Then i take a set of calipers and use the tail end to measure the bottom lip to bottom then i scribe that line onto the side of the drum. This shows me where the bottom of the inside of the drum is. I mark my holes so the heating element nut sits against the bottom, locking the nut in place. The drain i position so the street elbow is just 1/8" off the bottom so it drains fully. Each of the holes is about 6" apart, so the float wont hit the element and so the drain valve won't hit the hose when in the off position. With the float valve i mount it about 1" above the element. I also remove the arm, heat it red hot wjth my torch then bend it straight and re bend it closer to the hinge point. This lets me mount the float lower and have a lower false bottom. Once its complete i will have to adjust the bend on the arm to get the water level about 1/2" above the element
To drill all the holes i use a small drill bit then a larger drill bit, then use a carbide bur on a 1/4 electric die grinder to get the right size. You can also use a conduit punch in the correct diameter but they can be pricy for a good set, well worth it if you dont already have a good grinder or drill set.

The false bottom and legs will be made out of this scrap stainless steel, its actually the back of an old commercial prep fridge. Ill just use my angle grinder with a cutoff wheel then clean it up with a flap wheel. The legs will be two strips of steel bent to a C shape, just like in my 55 gal single drum steamer. With the bottom filled with water and the float valve working you want at least 1/2" clearance above the float valve to the false bottom.

Video of my 55 gal drum.
Edited by Gr0wer (06/14/17 06:15 PM)
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MycoFlora
Farmer


Registered: 10/06/14
Posts: 309
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Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Gr0wer]
#23971106 - 12/31/16 03:05 PM (7 years, 30 days ago) |
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thanks for posting this! Looks g8 m8.
I know youve posted it before but where did you get your ss float valve?
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Ferather
Mycological



Registered: 03/19/15
Posts: 6,325
Loc: United Kingdom
Last seen: 1 year, 2 months
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Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: MycoFlora]
#23972725 - 01/01/17 11:07 AM (7 years, 29 days ago) |
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I would imagine a plumbers merchant or large store that has plumbing spares. The valve is for either a toilet cistern or a hot water heater.
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keifnnugs
Master fucker

Registered: 11/27/15
Posts: 335
Last seen: 26 days, 10 hours
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Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Ferather]
#23973319 - 01/01/17 03:22 PM (7 years, 29 days ago) |
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Thanks for posting this! I was hoping you would
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MorePies
Stranger
Registered: 02/09/16
Posts: 808
Loc: TX
Last seen: 1 month, 3 days
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Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: keifnnugs]
#23973408 - 01/01/17 03:55 PM (7 years, 29 days ago) |
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Top notch build Gr0wer! Thank you for sharing!
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Quadman
Challenged


Registered: 04/23/16
Posts: 2,529
Loc: IL
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
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Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: MorePies]
#23973491 - 01/01/17 04:38 PM (7 years, 29 days ago) |
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He got the SS float valve off eBay
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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: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Quadman]
#23973624 - 01/01/17 05:31 PM (7 years, 29 days ago) |
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I just updates OP on where i source all my materials.
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poofterFroth
Feel Like A Stranger



Registered: 03/15/14
Posts: 1,012
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Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Gr0wer]
#23975473 - 01/02/17 09:25 AM (7 years, 28 days ago) |
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Are you running hot water into your drum as it evaporates off or is it such a low flow that it doesn't fluctuate the temps. inside by running cold water?
Also, since your run is on a timer is your heating element constantly on or is it hooked into a controller somewhere? Why only 2000 watt element instead of a larger one?
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Edited by poofterFroth (01/02/17 09:35 AM)
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RolledUhhp
Amateur Cultivator

Registered: 08/10/16
Posts: 246
Last seen: 3 years, 6 months
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Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: poofterFroth]
#23976393 - 01/02/17 02:46 PM (7 years, 28 days ago) |
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Awesome build man!
I got lucky and managed to snag my 55's for cheeeeeeeeeeap, can't wait for the weather to change so I can get to work!
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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: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: RolledUhhp]
#23977025 - 01/02/17 06:55 PM (7 years, 28 days ago) |
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1500 and 2000w is all you need, and it allows you to run it off a 110v circuit. By using a lower Watt element it takes longer to heat up but not as much energy is wasted during the hold without any fancy controls to fail on you. The timer is a simple timer switch, i use cold water to feed. Hot water would cool by time it got to the valve, the run is so long and it just uses a trickle.
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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: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Gr0wer]
#23977032 - 01/02/17 06:58 PM (7 years, 28 days ago) |
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Update to OP as well as comment here. Use a SS heating element. I just checked my drum and there is slight oxidization under the element.
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volvovr
Stranger


Registered: 11/30/16
Posts: 28
Last seen: 6 years, 10 months
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Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Gr0wer]
#23979058 - 01/03/17 02:46 PM (7 years, 27 days ago) |
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Hi grower do you think if I put a valve just before the ball valve and close it slightly I can save the purchase of a rv regulator valve?
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Pipefitter537
You're Not Yelping



Registered: 11/25/16
Posts: 715
Loc: SodoSopa
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Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: volvovr]
#23979141 - 01/03/17 03:26 PM (7 years, 27 days ago) |
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I would think so as long as you are running off of your house connection. Your house should already be regulated down anywhere from 25 to 50 psi. If you are coming off of a line that doesn't have a regulator than one should be used. Just keep in mind of what OP said in his video about water spraying directly onto the float. I don't have any sterilizer build experience but I am a union pipefitter and deal with pipes and valves all day unfortunately.
Edited by Pipefitter537 (01/03/17 03:59 PM)
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MorePies
Stranger
Registered: 02/09/16
Posts: 808
Loc: TX
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Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: volvovr]
#23979555 - 01/03/17 05:56 PM (7 years, 27 days ago) |
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Quote:
volvovr said: Hi grower do you think if I put a valve just before the ball valve and close it slightly I can save the purchase of a rv regulator valve?
Mine failed,but it might be possible with a gate valve. I have to regulate mine to 5psi, or no spray like in growers video.
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MorePies
Stranger
Registered: 02/09/16
Posts: 808
Loc: TX
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Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: volvovr]
#23979691 - 01/03/17 07:07 PM (7 years, 27 days ago) |
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Quote:
volvovr said: Hi grower do you think if I put a valve just before the ball valve and close it slightly I can save the purchase of a rv regulator valve?
Mine failed,but it might be possible with a gate valve. I have to regulate mine to 5psi, or no spray. Growers video shows spray, these valves are probably not the tightest in tolerances.
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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: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: MorePies]
#23980320 - 01/03/17 11:49 PM (7 years, 27 days ago) |
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I run mine down to 12 psi or so. Lower the better so the valve seals easier. A orifice restriction like a valve barely on wont regulate the pressure, just the flow volume, wont help with the valve sealing.
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katbusa
TC Enthusiast


Registered: 02/19/13
Posts: 172
Last seen: 6 years, 5 months
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Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Gr0wer]
#23990033 - 01/07/17 04:24 PM (7 years, 23 days ago) |
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At what altitude would you want to start running slight pressure in the drum to make sure you get up to temp? I found this info somewhere but I cant seem to find it again.
Im getting ready to build two of these and want to make sure Im not missing anything.
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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: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: katbusa]
#23990072 - 01/07/17 04:40 PM (7 years, 23 days ago) |
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im at 3700 feet and i don't. Even if your a mile high just run it longer, much safer and simpler.
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natedawgnow
Rocky mountain hood rat



Registered: 02/09/15
Posts: 8,939
Loc: ation
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Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Gr0wer]
#23993369 - 01/08/17 06:50 PM (7 years, 22 days ago) |
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Thanks Grower!
This will definitely come in handy soon
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katbusa
TC Enthusiast


Registered: 02/19/13
Posts: 172
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Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: natedawgnow]
#23996371 - 01/09/17 07:36 PM (7 years, 21 days ago) |
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Quote:
Gr0wer said: im at 3700 feet and i don't. Even if your a mile high just run it longer, much safer and simpler.
Im no where near as high in altitude as you. Good to know to just run the system longer.
Between shroomery and your YT page, its a gold mine of information!
Im starting out with food grade platic drums before I invest into stainless drums. When you had your plastic drum how far off the bottom did you keep your heating element? Did you have any issues with the element warping or degrading the plastic in the vicinity of it?
Edited by katbusa (01/09/17 07:43 PM)
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