Vapor Prevention in 4 inch grain drop

[Oregon Spirit Distillers]

I have an auger that drops into a 4 inch flexible tube to the mash tun.  Steam rises into the tube from the mash tun.

 

There must be a device that can prevent the steam from rising while still allowing the flour to drop.

 

Ideas?

 

Thank you,

Brad Irwin

Oregon Spirit Distillers

[Southernhighlander]

Is it possible for you to put the tube under the surface in the mash tun?  That way it could act as a dip tube and that might stop the steam from rising? 

Another way might be to have a one way flapper in a stainless tube.

[HottyToddy77]

we have a 3" tri-clamp fitting on our mash tun so we used a valve to stop the steam. we were using a butterfly valve but switched it out today for a  big stainless ball valve because it kept clogging. we open the valve right before the grain starts to fall and close it once done. 

[Southernhighlander]

HottyToddy,

That sounds like a good common sense solution.

[HottyToddy77]

51 minutes ago, Southernhighlander said:

HottyToddy,

That sounds like a good common sense solution.

A flapper on the inside of the tank would possibly be nicer but the grain might cake on and prevent closing. 3" stainless ball valves aren't cheap. I found mine on Amazon.

[Southernhighlander]

The largest stainless sanitary ball valves that I have right now are 2".  I do have 3" and 4" ones on order but we will not have them in stock for several weeks.

[Oregon Spirit Distillers]

Both great ideas.  The steam is rising during our grind in so the valve wont help.  We disconnect it when we are done grinding.    I will try to drop the entry point below the top of the mash tun to limit the "funneling" into grain path.

 

Thank you,

 

Brad

 

[Hudson bay distillers]

if i was you i would use a mashing machine and keep everything above it air tight vented only to out side the building for explosion purposes .

tim 

[Stumpy's]

We use a 4" grist hydrator that has a gate valve on it, like many of the brewing guys...works like a charm. Picked ours up off ProBrewer for $250.  Looks like there is a similar one listed on this ad for the same price!

http://discussions.probrewer.com/showthread.php?65909-Grist-hydrator

Cheers!

Adam

 

[Modernity]

I'm not sure if this idea creates any other issues BUT here goes. If you were to introduce a small volume of compressed air a metre back from the outlet?  The amount of airflow wouldn't need to be very great to create the effect you are after. 

[Roger]

Stumpy - can you post a couple pics of the grist hydrator with the flap. We are having the same problem with steam drifting up into our auger drop. Tks 

[Oregon Spirit Distillers]

We ended up inserting a conical reducer into the mash tun so that the grain drop is 3 inches below the roof of the mash tun.  We intended to at a flap on the bottom but there is no need.  Our grain drop is bone try.  cheap and easy.  Thank you all.