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jaquiss2005

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2011
Messages
108
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7
Location
Margate, Kent
Having done a few kits about 5/6 years ago without a great deal of success decided I needed to learn more, and got every book I could find out of the local libraries, and joined up with a few forums such as this. I then looked at what equipment I had / would need.
I would add I am or thought I was totally incapable with DIY, but thanks to the many giudes on here, including pictures have surprised myself!
Found an unused 24 litre coolbox in the shed, and followed advice on here and converted to a mashtun. Bought some copper pipe and fittings and with a good deal of sawing the internals were ready and have not let me down yet. Found an old boiler on e-bay for £15 which an electrician friend of mine checked over and disconnected one of the 2 elements and made safe. Did a couple of BIAB using DME and got the bug.
Boiler needed a new tap so I could fit a hop filter. Sought and got (as always) advice on here, but went down to the local plumbers merchants with boiler in hand. A plumber was buying bits in front of me and saw the boiler and asked what it was for. Explained my predicament and 10 minutes later this stranger and the shop assistant had a new tap installed and fitted for me on the boiler. Its not the most attractive (in fact its sold as a garden tap), but it works perfectly and hop filter now added.

Coolbox was great, but at 24 litres was a bit small. Purchased a 34 litre coleman and converted that without a hitch.

Next, following the use of a large stockpot and having to manually transfer hot water to mashtun with a jug, decided to convert a fermenting bucket to a HLT again from the "how to" guide. Happened to have an old Tesco value kettle in the kitchen so went and got the Mrs a new kettle and said I needed the old one. Biggest challenge was actually undoing the screws on the old kettle, but once this was done didn't take long to build and again works perfectly so far.

Latest challenge I have mastered is to harvest yeast from Duvel & Chimay - both successfully again using advice on here.

Three point to make by way of encouragement.
1.) I can change a plug / put up a shelf and thats about the extent of my DIY, but take and use advice from forums. Dont be afraid to ask and make use of local hardware shops (avoid the well known DIY shops) as they have the knowledge. Its worked for me.
2.) It doesn't have to cost a fortune. I started with the basics and have upgraded as funds / time allow. I have yet to throw away a brew as its undrinkable. Some could have been better no doubt, but its a learning process.
3.) If you have a question - ask on here and you are more or less guaranteed to get sensible and helpful advice. I would NOT have been able to do what I have thanks to the vast amount of willingly shared knowledge. Thanks to everyone who has helped me so far and will no doubt do so in the future.

A few piccies of my current kit

http://s1349.photobucket.com/user/jaqui ... sort=3&o=1

http://s1349.photobucket.com/user/jaqui ... sort=3&o=2

http://s1349.photobucket.com/user/jaqui ... sort=3&o=4

http://s1349.photobucket.com/user/jaqui ... sort=3&o=5

http://s1349.photobucket.com/user/jaqui ... sort=3&o=6

http://s1349.photobucket.com/user/jaqui ... sort=3&o=0
 
Looks great!

If you copy the IMG code on photobucket by clicking on it you can the use "ctrl" and "v" to paste it into your post.

You didn't even have to ask that time!
 
@ jaquiss2005,
Well done sir, a man after my own heart. I too have built my brewery with things scrounged and applied my own meager DIY skills. I've been concentrating on beer but recently I have turned my attentions to wine making as well.

One tip I can offer you - well 2 then. Join your local Freecycle/Freegle group and befriend the folk who run your local council re-cycling depot. I've managed to get close to 100 swing top bottles not to mention 6 old brown Flaggon bottles with new washers and my boiler from that source. Good luck with it.

The down side is that you need to be retired to invest all that time in the effort. :) :thumb:

Its a great hobby which opens the mind to everything from engineering to the craft of brewing to exercising a little innovation. All in the quest of good beer/wine.
 

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