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| This is my SIMM |
The steam enters through the valve and into the "frame" of the unit |
The under side of the top plate, the mixer paddle is connected to the motor shaft with two set screws |
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| the mixer has four staggered paddles made from copper pipe which has been "worked", it turns in plastic bushings top and bottom |
Notice the clean-out plug, there is one at the top also - bits of grist tend to get into the frame and this lets me flush it out during clean-up |
Top view - notice the plug for the motor, it connects to special receptical which is wired through a switch |
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| Bottom view - it's all 1/2" copper pipe and fittings, with a small piece of 1/8" copper sheet soldered into the square opening in the bottom |
The hinged access hatch - for adding grain or water, for observing the process, and for testing |
A very rugged G.E. gear motor, it turns at 37.8 rpm |
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| The needle valve allows for very sensitive control of the mash temperature NOTE: I have since replaced the needle valve with a solenoid valve. The temperature of the mash is now controlled via an electronic temperature controller and a thermocouple. The thermocouple probe replaces the thermometer in the side of the mash tun. |
Quick-connect fittings - these are the type that simply push together, handy when the fitting is over 200° F. |
SIMM with hose attached - now we need the other half of the system, specifically, the steam |
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| This is my secret for "safe" steam, a wallpaper steamer |
CAUTION-LIVE STEAM |
18 AMPERES |
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| That's where the other end of the hose connects, notice the presure relief valve and the "overheat plug" |
The Brewery - the HLT up top, the mash tun on the counter, the brew kettle and burner store under the counter |
Close-up of the plumbing, etc. - the two switches are for the pump and the mash mixer, by the way the electrical runs through a GFCI |
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| The mash tun is made of white ash, the staves loosen up when I don't brew for a while, but a few minutes of steam fixes that |
The SIMM is ready to go into the mash tun |
The SIMM in the mash tun |
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| The access hatch |
A little closer... |
And we're inside, see the thermometer stem, it aligns between two of the paddle blades - I'll have to clean this up before I brew again |
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| The steamer is ready! it takes about half an hour to heat up |
The hose is connected and I'm turning on the valve, normally the SIMM would be in the mash tun before I hook it up |
Just to demonstrate how the thing works - the needle valve allows for very sensitive adjustments |
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| Tha's "live" steam, folks, and it's hot enough to boil water if you want |
Notice the tiny holes in the copper pipe, that's where the steam comes out |
The steam shoots toward the center from all four sides and works in conjunction with the mixer to ensure even temperature throughout the mash |