|
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
|
Gr0wer
always improving



Registered: 09/16/03
Posts: 6,056
Loc: El Paso, TX
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: katbusa]
#23996466 - 01/09/17 08:15 PM (7 years, 21 days ago) |
|
|
No issues, i made it as low as i could go. The side wall shape limits how low you can go. You will need to buy taps for all the threads you need, or try making a diy tap with a npt steel pipe or soemthing.
|
DutchMyco
Stranger

Registered: 01/09/17
Posts: 284
Last seen: 2 years, 8 months
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Gr0wer]
#24017848 - 01/17/17 04:22 PM (7 years, 13 days ago) |
|
|
Hello,
Would a standard steel drum work for this as well? Standard steel drums are cheap to find here, with or without inside coating, yet I'm doubtful any coating will hold after multiple steam cycles. Does rust become an issue quickly or can it be prevented by cleaning and drying?
My idea is to have the heating element and float valve in a separate smaller stainless container, connected to the 200liter barrel which will still have a small fake bottom to spread the steam. This way the steel drum can be easily replaced by a new one, preferably a stainless steel one of any size the heating element can handle. Or a second of third drum can be added to the separate steamer with valves to they can be run in cycles.
This is my first post here, I haven't yet found a place to properly introduce myself. I'm completely new to cultivating mushrooms but I've been reading here and elsewhere for a while now. I hope to start growing my own gourmet and medicinal mushrooms this year in the Netherlands.
|
Gr0wer
always improving



Registered: 09/16/03
Posts: 6,056
Loc: El Paso, TX
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: DutchMyco]
#24021234 - 01/18/17 08:05 PM (7 years, 12 days ago) |
|
|
Yes, but it will rust. I would recommend putting a tarp or canvas as a liner in so the bags don't get rust all over em. (see video below)
Yes you can make a boiler and feed the steam in,and yes one advantage of that is expandability.
Welcome to the shroomery! and congrats on not making a super noobish post! Check out my youtube if you haven't already!
|
Gr0wer
always improving



Registered: 09/16/03
Posts: 6,056
Loc: El Paso, TX
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Gr0wer]
#24021293 - 01/18/17 08:21 PM (7 years, 12 days ago) |
|
|

Minor upgrade. The 85 gal drum i used a bottom plate that was a bit thinner and didnt have a brace like on my 55. I ended up making the bottom support a complete ring with notches for the fittings then a pvc leg in the center. The pvc will probably be a stainless pipe in future models.
|
katbusa
TC Enthusiast


Registered: 02/19/13
Posts: 172
Last seen: 6 years, 5 months
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Gr0wer]
#24027629 - 01/21/17 09:03 AM (7 years, 9 days ago) |
|
|
Just got one of my drums completed and tested. Doing the first 24 hour with 100 lbs of sub now.
Thank you grower for the work you have put in to providing us with the information to be able to scale our own little projects to larger projects! This will save a ton of time when processing substrate.
|
tump
ban the undead



Registered: 03/17/16
Posts: 2,383
Last seen: 6 years, 10 months
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: katbusa]
#24030047 - 01/22/17 09:52 AM (7 years, 8 days ago) |
|
|
Hey grower have thought of putting a 2000w element and 1500w on another end of your drum. Turning on the 2000w to heat up drum quicker. Then switching the power to 1500w while its maintains 200+ degrees
|
Gr0wer
always improving



Registered: 09/16/03
Posts: 6,056
Loc: El Paso, TX
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: tump]
#24030618 - 01/22/17 01:50 PM (7 years, 8 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
tump said: Hey grower have thought of putting a 2000w element and 1500w on another end of your drum. Turning on the 2000w to heat up drum quicker. Then switching the power to 1500w while its maintains 200+ degrees
Yes i have, best way would be run a 2000w and a 1000w together for warm up, 3000w total. Then have the 2000w on a separate timer to turn off around 5-7 hours in. Once the temp is reached the 1000w is all you need since your just holding the temp for 8-12 hours for sterilization.
|
HighValley
Researcher

Registered: 12/27/16
Posts: 56
Loc: Colorado
Last seen: 4 years, 10 months
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Gr0wer]
#24031514 - 01/22/17 06:53 PM (7 years, 8 days ago) |
|
|
I saw this and thought great I have everything on hand I would need to make one of these. Then come to find out the elements I have from an on demand hot water system are 220v and 4500w. A bit oversized I think.
Or does anyone know how I can incorporate one or both of these elements.
-------------------- Trade List
|
Gr0wer
always improving



Registered: 09/16/03
Posts: 6,056
Loc: El Paso, TX
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: HighValley]
#24031708 - 01/22/17 07:49 PM (7 years, 8 days ago) |
|
|
It would be easier just to put a smaller element in for $25.
|
drake89
Mushroom Magnate



Registered: 06/26/11
Posts: 4,168
Loc: TN
Last seen: 4 years, 10 months
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Gr0wer]
#24032636 - 01/23/17 07:21 AM (7 years, 7 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Gr0wer said: It would be easier just to put a smaller element in for $25.
especially since the on demand elements , at least the ones ive seen, are brazed fittings, not threaded.
|
Hugofly
Yup



Registered: 12/31/16
Posts: 239
Loc: Portugal
Last seen: 2 years, 29 days
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Gr0wer] 1
#24202945 - 03/29/17 03:33 PM (6 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Heya!
What about the holes in the lid? I checked the YT channel already but I didn't got how it works with the plastic bucket lid. It is possible to be more detailed on that part because it seems a very important step how not to build a BOMB! Sorry about questions and questions.
|
Fontaine
Stranger
Registered: 09/24/16
Posts: 2
Loc: Colorado
Last seen: 4 months, 14 days
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Hugofly]
#24203799 - 03/29/17 08:46 PM (6 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
I'm with Hugofly concerning the lid/holes. As far as I understand the lid part, you drill one large hole in the middle of the locking lid, then a smaller one close by. Does the zip tie go through both of those holes in order to hold the plastic bucket lid tight to the locking lid? I'm currently in the process of building one of these sterilizers, but I haven't gotten to the lid yet -- I'm still trying to get a good seal on the float valve given the curved wall of the barrel...
|
Hugofly
Yup



Registered: 12/31/16
Posts: 239
Loc: Portugal
Last seen: 2 years, 29 days
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Fontaine]
#24204778 - 03/30/17 08:44 AM (6 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
And another question: Gr0wer@
You know how thick is your drums?
|
RolledUhhp
Amateur Cultivator

Registered: 08/10/16
Posts: 246
Last seen: 3 years, 6 months
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Hugofly]
#24205466 - 03/30/17 01:51 PM (6 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
|
Gr0wer
always improving



Registered: 09/16/03
Posts: 6,056
Loc: El Paso, TX
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: RolledUhhp]
#24209252 - 03/31/17 08:11 PM (6 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
The 2nd hole is just big enough for the zip tie to go through but not the head, one gets pulled through from the inside the drum through the pail lid, through the SS lid then a 2nd zip tie gets attached on top and cut so its just the head. A radiator zip tie or even just bolt with locknut would be a better application but i just use zip ties.
|
Hugofly
Yup



Registered: 12/31/16
Posts: 239
Loc: Portugal
Last seen: 2 years, 29 days
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Gr0wer]
#24209855 - 04/01/17 03:05 AM (6 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
I didn't got it, You mean something like this?

So when there's pressure the bolt lifts and release some pressure?
|
Hugofly
Yup



Registered: 12/31/16
Posts: 239
Loc: Portugal
Last seen: 2 years, 29 days
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Hugofly]
#24209863 - 04/01/17 03:18 AM (6 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
OK, I got it!
After a morning coffee I can understand much better
That ideia of the bolt with the locknut wouldn't work as a valve?
|
DutchMyco
Stranger

Registered: 01/09/17
Posts: 284
Last seen: 2 years, 8 months
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Hugofly]
#24210750 - 04/01/17 12:23 PM (6 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
This design works without pressure, the zip tie works just as a pull-knot to keep the plastic lid in place. You need some safety precaution in case a bag lifts against the hole in the steel lid, if this happens it will build pressure and might explode. Plus you need a hole to get the air out at the start so it can be filled by steam. I'm not sure why that plastic lid can't be pressed against the lid, maybe it has some sort of profile beneath it, but you need something that can let air/stream out even when bags are pressed against the lid. A double walled lid of some sort with the inside pierced in many places would be perfect. If you want to run it at pressure you need a pressure release valve, but you get the same issue, you don't want anything blocking it. And be sure you know exactly what you're doing before trying to work with pressure. A design like this might have some pressure as well depending on how well it produces steam and can let it out.
|
Hugofly
Yup



Registered: 12/31/16
Posts: 239
Loc: Portugal
Last seen: 2 years, 29 days
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: DutchMyco]
#24210821 - 04/01/17 12:53 PM (6 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Thanks.
Yes, I don't understand how a plastic lid can solve the "problem" since is plastic and a bag can be squeezed against that lid blocking the holes.. well.. plastic or metal.
|
Gr0wer
always improving



Registered: 09/16/03
Posts: 6,056
Loc: El Paso, TX
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
|
Re: 55 gallon drum sterilzer build instructions [Re: Hugofly]
#24212331 - 04/02/17 01:12 AM (6 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
I made a list on Kit.com for all the pieces to build one of these.
https://kit.com/MyersMushrooms/drum-sterilizer
|
|