NicAlexander Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 I am looking for a boiler brand recomendation for a 500 gallon still and mash cooker. What do you like about the systems you have? What would you have done differently if you were purchasing now? Are you using two smaller boilers; one for each, or one boiler big enough to run the still and cooker at the same time? Is this problematic or inefficient if only running the still and not the cooker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artisan Still Design Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 a 500,000 BTU steam boiler should do fine (at least as far as our equipment sizing goes) as long as you run one and not the other, you can run both on that size but you will need to stagger start. Ideally you will want about 1 million BTU's to run both at the same time. running 2 smaller boilers to power each piece individually can be done, but is typically more expensive for equipment and installation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artisan Still Design Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 as for brands, there are many good quality Steam boiler manufacturers out there. I have a fondness for Columbia, and Peerless. on the electric side Sussman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffw Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 I like my Columbia. Installing two boilers would definitely cost more and does not make sense to me. Get one that is big enough to run both at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSWDistiller Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 I have a Burnham. What is cool about it is that it is expandable. You buy what you need now and you can add plates to increase the output later. Great if you have expansion plans. http://www.burnhamcommercial.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAlexander Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 Does anyone have experience with Miura? https://www.miuraboiler.com They claim very fast startup times and high efficiency. I would like to stay domestic but this is intriguing to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silk City Distillers Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Should consider that your contractor and equipment distributor have a solid relationship and working experience with the equipment and brand you are considering, that's critical for long-term success and support. To some extent, a boiler is a boiler, but the devil is in the details. Once you have a trusted contractor (which is equally, if not more important), I'd give their recommendations some weight as well. Miura? The Lamborghini of boilers? Nice but the starting point of entry is something like 1.5mbtu, that's a big machine. Out in these parts, Fulton is very popular, and Hurst somewhat as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MG Thermal Consulting Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Where are you, Nic? Depending on where, I can at least get you some contractors names that either I know or past associates of mine know. Once you get to the cooling side, I'd be more than happy to help you. You can see some sample photos on my website. Mike Gronski www.mgthermalconsulting.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAlexander Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share Posted March 19, 2015 We are located in Kalamazoo Mi. I am also interested in a chiller as well something that I can mount on our flat roof. That at the very least we can use to cool our condenser and maybe the steam coil in our mash cooker that is plumbed for steam and water cooling. I have spoken to a local company but I want to have a better understanding of what I'm in need of from a distilling centric perspective as there is not anyone local that has any direct distillery experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAlexander Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 Well we still haven't decided on a boiler and we are getting closer to the completion of our still. we are considering buying a 50hp muira (that's the smallest they make) really we need closer to a 40hp, and are considering a "rite" boiler does anyone have experience with the brand? I'm open to any more suggestions. The still is a 500 gallon Vendome. Also for people running a Columbia and or the more traditional style boilers are you leaving them running 24/7 or are you turning them on and off everyday? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HedgeBird Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Have been very happy with my Burnham boiler. They are just across town from me and did a little case study with my distillery. http://www.burnhamcommercial.com/assets/pdf/case-studies/12378_ThistleFinchCaseStudySheet_loresproof2.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSWDistiller Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I've worked with two different Muira boilers. They are top of the line. They are awesomely efficient but maintenance is very expensive. If they break, then you are broke. If this is your first boiler I would go with something more basic, forgiving, and cheaper. I like my Burnham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAlexander Posted August 4, 2015 Author Share Posted August 4, 2015 So are you guys leaving your boilers running or are you turning them on and off every day? this might sound like a dumb question but aren't boilers meant to be run constantly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captnKB Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 we run a 500 gal still and 500 gal cooker. our Rite brand 1Mil BTU Steam boiler has enough output to run both at the same time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAlexander Posted August 15, 2015 Author Share Posted August 15, 2015 Looks like we are leaning towards a Rite boiler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skaalvenn Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Those of you under 1mil BTU size, what kind of prices are you getting for installation? I know each and every install is different but I'm starting to plan for future expansion. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAlexander Posted August 21, 2015 Author Share Posted August 21, 2015 Is anyone using excess boiler capacity to heat the rest of the distillery or the tasting room and if so how are you doing it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhagwanmaltworks Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Is anyone using a Bryan water tube? I am considering Rite, Columbia, or Bryan and I cannot get a feel for the "best" solution..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tall Ship Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Is anyone using a Bryan water tube? I am considering Rite, Columbia, or Bryan and I cannot get a feel for the "best" solution..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tall Ship Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 You should look into hurst Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DYE Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 This website has a great selection of low pressure steam boilers in a full range of sizes. BE SURE TO INDICATE LOW PRESSURE (<15psi) WHEN ORDERING: http://ecomfort.com/gas-fired-steam-boilers-204/ Penny pennyjiang@zjdayu.com Skype: pennyhe211 DYE team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhagwanmaltworks Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 Thanks for the responses. I will look into the options mentioned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAlexander Posted September 11, 2015 Author Share Posted September 11, 2015 We had a chance to look at a rite in action at a brewery near us and that's the way I think we are going to go, due to the design steam is almost instant at start up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boilerguy Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 We rep Miura boiler and they can be fixed easily, just like any other boiler water treatment is critical, we at Burner Combustion rep many different options, we have worked closely with many breweries, and distilleries, if you need a boiler we are experts in that subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HottyToddy77 Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 if you plan to do direct steam injection check this place out http://sellersmfg.com/steam-boilers/humidification/h-series-steam-boiler/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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