Anybody concerned about the upcoming water charges and how it may affect us?
Must admit I haven't hugely looked into it or done any calculations but I shudder when I think of cooling 20 odd litres with a wort chiller :o
I read this evening that the free threshold is 30,000 Litres a year. Doesn't that equate to something like 3 toilet flushes a day?? :'( (those tears will cost 20cent too)
I'm not too worried until the metering actually starts.
Didn't the Australians come up with the no-chill (cubing) method to conserve water? We might have to revisit it?
Quote from: Garry on May 06, 2014, 08:43:30 PM
Didn't the Australians come up with the no-chill (cubing) method to conserve water? We might have to revisit it?
Have certainly seen some YT vids of the Aussies using the ice blocks, could be a realistic alternative
I haven't seen them using ice blocks, have you a link?
This (http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/articles/article56.html) is the method I was on about. No cooling water required :)
Was listening to Chris White talking about the potential for the likes of botulism with that method. Not aware of an instance of it though.
Realistically, the water charges to chill a 5gal batch can't be more than a couple of pennies. I'll be sticking with my immersion chiller.
Could always run your chiller output into a bucket and reuse the water too.
Quote from: Garry on May 06, 2014, 09:04:31 PM
I haven't seen them using ice blocks, have you a link?
This (http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/articles/article56.html) is the method I was on about. No cooling water required :)
Sorry, my bad. Got mixed up with them using ice blocks instead of top up water when doing partials
I have a water butt pump.
Keep a rain water barrel in the shade.
Recirc the water to this.
thought about using the beer line cooler and circulate with a pump, would be a quick blast chill but would the electricity cost more than the water used in a coil chill operation?
The first of my numerous pumps have arrived today by registered post from china,
the ones in the pics are 5 litres/ min under pressure, enough to pressure wash a car. under no load it pumps a litre every 5 seconds.
This pump would be ideal for circulating via a water butt which would be filled for free by my roof on the brewery, it will be located in the yard and take the water off 10 sq mtre of roof...thats my solution. The pump will be in the brewery as it has incredible suction I can mount it near the kitchen sink in the brewhouse. Im planning on experimenting with my h2o2 to sterilise the water butt so it can be used in brewing as well potentially. i think thats how they treat water in third world countries if im not mistaken
Quote from: irish_goat on May 06, 2014, 09:13:54 PM
Could always run your chiller output into a bucket and reuse the water too.
The best idea is to run it back to greywater if you had it. Or run a series of butts collecting rainwater and run it back to them. I cooled a batch yesterday and estimate about 150-175 as I collected some of it for washing in a 60l fermenter. It was hot enough to bath in.
Quote from: Eoin on May 06, 2014, 09:18:46 PM
I collected some of it for washing in a 60l fermenter. It was hot enough to bath in.
Unusual bathing behaviour that :P
Saw these in Aldi Sunday also a 210litre version for €39. https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/sunday-27th-april/products-detail-page/ps/p/100-litre-water-butt-set/
Quote from: Chris on May 06, 2014, 09:42:52 PM
Saw these in Aldi Sunday also a 210litre version for €39. https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/sunday-27th-april/products-detail-page/ps/p/100-litre-water-butt-set/
Got two of them last year, they are made of scheisser... lids dont fit, pipes weak as urine, wouldnt buy again so if anyone buyin just check out the quality before splashing the cash....maybe the quality improved with this batch
I agree, they'll do the job but they're not the sturdiest.
Better to ask in your local hardware shop to see if they have any old stock.
They often have one or two out the back with a broken tap or missing lid.
My father got a good one for not much more than a tenner a few years back. I think he just had to make a lid for it or something.
I've two aldi water butts. I tightened the tap and don't get anymore leaks. I have used then to chill the wort and plan to do so once the charges come in.
did you tap that butt with a strong pump?
I see a business opportunity here.
The water supply will be restricted if you don't pay your charges....down to a trickle.
I'd say, put a large sanitary contained tank in your attic, not like your standard cold water storage which has dead mice and shit in it, but a proper sealed tank. Let the water trickle in all day....pre-store it, then use it whenever you want from the tank in the attic...
Is there anything stopping this apart from the plumbing necessary for the refit?
Quote from: LordEoin on May 07, 2014, 10:03:53 AM
did you tap that butt with a strong pump?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-2SVOWUm3g
Is there anything to be said for stealing your neighbor's water? Was thinking of stocking up with their garden hose when they are asleep. >:D
its great news, the days pf stealing tanks of kerosene are gone :) its goin to be more lucrative to steal water..I must get up in the attic and tap into the neighbours tank tnite ;) 8)
Quote from: brenmurph on May 07, 2014, 04:37:46 PM
its great news, the days pf stealing tanks of kerosene are gone :) its goin to be more lucrative to steal water..I must get up in the attic and tap into the neighbours tank tnite ;) 8)
kerosene....jaysus yeah, didn't that go out with kerosene lamps ;)
There was actually a couple on Dragon's Den the other but looking for investment in a lock for your outside tap that stops people stealing your metered water.
For those that brew in attic spaces , it should be no problem as they can let the header tank run low for the day before and fill it back up again with wort chiller water. Would have zero impact if done right, and would be a cheap modification .
Quote from: Rossa on May 07, 2014, 08:34:06 AM
I've two aldi water butts. I tightened the tap and don't get anymore leaks. I have used then to chill the wort and plan to do so once the charges come in.
How big are these? Are they expensive?
Quote from: Dr Jacoby on May 08, 2014, 12:19:02 PM
Quote from: Rossa on May 07, 2014, 08:34:06 AM
I've two aldi water butts. I tightened the tap and don't get anymore leaks. I have used then to chill the wort and plan to do so once the charges come in.
How big are these? Are they expensive?
Can't remember what I paid but I think they are 300l. Not expensive.
I also run the power washer off it as my tap pressure is terrible and the washer won't work from it.
I'd imagine the councils will be doing them soon like the way they sell compost bins.
Quote from: Rossa on May 09, 2014, 06:34:27 AM
I'd imagine the councils will be doing them soon like the way they sell compost bins.
How much do they cost? We give them out free up here.
Suppose it's different up here since your bins are paid for through your council rates, so it's in the council's interest to cut down on the amount of waste you're producing.
Quote from: Tube on May 09, 2014, 09:23:18 AM
Kildare Co Co don't sell them or give them. I think they did sell them at one time, but the link is broken now on their website.
Give them a ring, if they used to have them then there's probably still some lying in a yard somewhere.
Or if you're up in Derry I'll get you one. ;)
Quote from: irish_goat on May 09, 2014, 09:16:18 AM
Quote from: Rossa on May 09, 2014, 06:34:27 AM
I'd imagine the councils will be doing them soon like the way they sell compost bins.
How much do they cost? We give them out free up here.
I think we paid about 40 euros a few years back. Have a Lidl one now as we moved and left it behind.
Well now, this thread got me thinking about something that I wanted to do for quite a while
This water butt to chilling coil and back to water butt idea is missing a step in between, a hottub!!!
(http://i.imgur.com/maFaGSn.jpg)
Lads, I just got off the phone to a guy who I am acquainted with who runs http://meterbeater.ie
I've said to him that I'll get you lot to have a look and see if ye are interested in any of his systems with a view to a group buy.
He does the inline pipe filter collector kits too, a few of you have a look at the website and see if there is any system that a few can settle on and he'll cut the price if we group buy due to his logistics costing the same once he's moving a pallet from Germany.
I said I'll float the idea here and come back to him for a quote if we can get sufficient interest, his systems look to be very good.
Discuss.
I am not interested in a system myself as I'm a renter, but I'll happily sort the order with him if ye're interested.
Eoin, Full marks to your "aquaintance". He/they seem to have hoit the market running. Those stone coloured "bits-of-a-medieveal-castle" look the buizz!
I am tempted on sculptural lines alone.
Now that the politico-gits have said "No standing charges" then its pay for what you ACTUALLY use makes so much more sense.
Seabury Towers Home Winery/Brewerey/Port House may be getting a make over yet.
Might as well get some sponsorship. Might help get the ladies back to the hot tub if you have a bit cash to splash.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s180/nigerford/beerstuff/8368082f-9a9f-4692-a0db-c7c7c3fd968e_zps0ba492e5.jpg) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/nigerford/media/beerstuff/8368082f-9a9f-4692-a0db-c7c7c3fd968e_zps0ba492e5.jpg.html)
Quote from: Will_D on May 09, 2014, 08:15:41 PM
Eoin, Full marks to your "aquaintance". He/they seem to have hoit the market running. Those stone coloured "bits-of-a-medieveal-castle" look the buizz!
I am tempted on sculptural lines alone.
Now that the politico-gits have said "No standing charges" then its pay for what you ACTUALLY use makes so much more sense.
Seabury Towers Home Winery/Brewerey/Port House may be getting a make over yet.
It's easier to say acquaintance than to say he's the live in boyfriend of my brother's ex-girlfriend's mother...
If you are going to drink while in your hot tub. Water safety should always be observed.. A qualified lifeguard for example.
(http://s14.postimg.org/6u59gyjdd/8368082f_9a9f_4692_a0db_c7c7c3fd968e_zps0ba492e5.jpg)
Hahaha. Nice. Safety first kids.
I like the direction this idea is going ;D