New Steam Boiler Blog

[Boiler Ray]

Greetings,
My name is Ray Wohlfarth and I am the author of the book, Lessons Learned: Brewing with Steam. I just started a new blog called Brewing with Steam. I hope to post items which will help you understand how steam systems work. If you have questions you would like to see covered, please email me @ ray@fireiceheat.com
Thanks
Ray
The blog is located at
https://brewingwithsteam.com/

[Starcat]

Very well done.

Star

[Boiler Ray]

Thanks for the feedback
Ray

[Jer]

This is awesome Ray!! Steam is one of the only “black holes” left in my somewhat basic understanding of a brewery’s setup. I don’t expect this’ll make me a system designer, but it’ll help me troubleshoot and stay safe from predatory trades and designers who lick their chops when they see that the person asking for a quote has no clue...

Book ordered from amazon in next couple days!!

Thanks again.

JR

[Boiler Ray]

JR
Thanks for the feedback If there are things you think I should write about please let me know. I would love some suggestions. If I can help with something, let me know
Ray Wohlfarth
Ray@fireiceheat.com

[Jer]

I’d like to see what is a reasonable cost that can be expected for a few different sized systems. I fully understand that every system is different in terms of size, sophistication, and distance to the brewhouse, but even +\- $5000 would be a great start. The first local quote I received was literally disgusting and insulting, and I’m a fairly knowledgeable farm kid type with lots of buddies in trades. I can only imagine the attempted gouging that would occur is if I was wearing tight jeans and converse shoes...

Let’s say these scenarios, all with the boiler within 30’ of the brewhouse, piping, insulation, and install cost only:

10bbl brewhouse with 2 jacket steam driven HLT and 2 jacket BK

25BBL brewhouse with 3 jacket HLT and 3 jacket BK

What about adding a steam line to a jacketed MLT/MT??

How about a reasonable cost for a blowdown tank??

Other topic suggestions:

1. Fancy power style boiler (and all their associated crap that can go wrong on them) vs. A good old atmospheric BBQ burner that just works... (I think you can tell where I stand).

2. Can one use RO water in their boiler (I know the answer, but didn’t this time 8 months ago).

3. CRN numbers: why are they important and why they can screw out if you don’t know what they’re about...

4. What the steam inspector has jurisdiction to speak on in a LOW PRESSURE brewery.

5. What training does your staff need to run and maintain the boiler?

Thx!! These are some of the questions that scared the hell out of me this time last year...

JR

[Boiler Ray]

Jer
Wow Thanks
I have a feeling you are not some naive farm boy. LOL
I see you are north of the border and not sure what the prices would be for labor there. What I can tell you is many techs are not accustomed to steam and put in an extra fee to cover them selves. I would suggest you go onto HeatingHelp.com and you will be able to find a steam person. I got a call from a brewer and he asked if I had any boiler which discharged out the bottom because their installer thought steam only went up. I told him to find another installer.
As far as suggestions, those are some great ones and I will put those on the list to write about. This week I am focusing on combustion air for the boiler and the options for that. I just posted one last week where I discussed what tasks should be done in house.
Thanks for your help and suggestions
Ray Wohlfarth

[TGTimm]

Great resource, Ray!

The main parts of the system I've struggled with are the steam traps, condensate lines, and air vents. I've read all I can find and still feel a bit puzzled.

[Boiler Ray]

Timm,
Thank you very much I will be covering those. I appreciate the suggestions and will let you know when I post them

Ray