Homebrew Gadgets and Gizzmos

[Partridge9]

Lads,

I was thinking of reviewing various bits of equipment and posting them here and on the website
Beerbug, brewpi, bottle fillers that sort of thing.

Anyone else interested in reviewing equipment ?

We could setup a template and rollout a few articles with a similar theme.

Prehaps you have some equipment you use, that you do mind reviewing ??

I was going to buy one of these as well .. just because - I need some more overpriced brewing gadgets !

Anyone got one ? or one similar ? we could compare and contrast.

Fluke 62 MAX+

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtjLFKTXynE


This one is about half the price

DT-8866 Infrared Thermometer with Dual Laser Targeting

Dont know much about it though

James

[molc]

Yeah I quite enjoy reviewing thins and doing writeups. Don't have any equipment to review at the moment though, as I've already put up my stuff.

I did do the mini kegs before, so we could always rework that into a review template and post...

Thinking of getting a brewpi or spark in the future as well...

[pob]

Thinking of getting a brewpi or spark in the future as well...

Working on a review, for the website, of the BrewPi (Raspberry PI version) on it as we speak, saving the shekels for the Spark version.

[molc]

Thinking of getting a brewpi or spark in the future as well...

Working on a review, for the website, of the BrewPi (Raspberry PI version) on it as we speak, saving the shekels for the Spark version.

Does the spark also do the fermentation control? Would just get one of those if it does so I could use for herms in future.

[pob]

Does the spark also do the fermentation control? Would just get one of those if it does so I could use for herms in future.

Oh, hide your wallet, it does the lot.



It's actually only working as Fermentation Control at the moment, the HERMS is being developed, and they have loads of very shiny, shiny bits to make it all work.

A lot of the cost would be the s/steel pipe fittings/junctions & integrated sensors. As they use standard DS18b20 sensors (only €1 or 2 on eBay), it would be easy to make them up cheap (a bit of soldering would be needed) for your own setup.

As it uses only a couple of plugs to connect all the sensors, you could just unplug them when you are moving them between Ferment Fridge/Chamber or for brew day.

You'll still be able to use it with minimal extra cost if you don't use all the automated valves.

[Garry]

Seriously jealous pob What are the 6 lads up on the wall over the pots? Solenoid valves?

[pob]

The Solenoid valves to run the system fully automated from initial water strike to empty into FV.

They're not mine, I wish!! You could spend easily spend €1k on all his shiny bits.

The HERMS kettle conversion kit https://store.brewpi.com/mashing/herms-kettle-conversion-kit is €330 alone even without the valves.

Because it's modular/kit based, it allows for us to bodge/build something similar for a lot less.

(A lotto win would have me filling the shopping cart v quick though)

A good read https://store.brewpi.com/brewpi-spark

[Garry]

Thanks pob. I'll have a gander at that website later.

Back on topic. I bought a plate chiller from hbc in their January sale. I do a review when I get the chance to brew again.

[Qs]

I bought a Hydra IC Jaded recently. I'll review that after a few goes with it.

[pob]

So for the list, we have:

1. pob, BrewPi
2. Garry, Plate chiller
3. Qs, Hydra IC Jaded

So step right up folks & add your name (pretty please).

All these go towards building a great knowledge base, to help us improve our brewing or let us make decisions based on other brewer's experience.

[Boycott]

I posted last month with a video about a semi pro bottler system