RobertS Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 We are working on moving the distillery to a new location, and our new city is asking for established industry practice for safely filling barrels. I don't know of any special precaution or equipment one would use. What we currently do and what I've seen from every video of small distilleries I could find is just having someone watch and stand by with a hand on the valve to stop product flow when the barrel is full. Is there some fancy tool I'm missing out on or a good answer to give the inspectors as to why hand filling is considered good practice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lenerz Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 It isn't necessarily industry standard, but you could consider filling barrels over a containment pit, to capture leaks or overfills. Other stuff worth looking at is Intrinsically Safe scales and load cells, EXP lighting and other electronics around spirits holding tanks and in use for barrel filling. Also appropriately rated forklift and pump. Check out the DISCUS fire safety manual for details on what is recommended for industry 'best practices'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captnKB Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 some folks use a modified gas dispensing nozzle for filling barrels. They automatically shut off when full. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertS Posted January 23, 2017 Author Share Posted January 23, 2017 That's certainly clever. Any food grade concerns with the nozzle material? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3d0g Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 1 hour ago, RobertS said: That's certainly clever. Any food grade concerns with the nozzle material? Husky built them at the request of Jake Norris @ Stranahan's. Hell, even Amazon carries them now. https://www.amazon.com/Husky-8528104-40-Stainless-1-Inch-Whiskey/dp/B00K9T8MIO 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HedgeBird Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=ZL-120L+nozzle&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=ZL-120L+nozzle&_sacat=0 The product description, in regards to material, on these is a bit confusing so I emailed to ask if all wetter surfaces are stainless. They emailed back quickly with the following info: " The fluid will come in contact with just stainless steel and the viton seal that connects the nozzle together. Hope this helps. " I just purchased one and can share more info on how well it works once it arrives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HedgeBird Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 On 1/23/2017 at 3:02 PM, HedgeBird said: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=ZL-120L+nozzle&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=ZL-120L+nozzle&_sacat=0 The product description, in regards to material, on these is a bit confusing so I emailed to ask if all wetter surfaces are stainless. They emailed back quickly with the following info: " The fluid will come in contact with just stainless steel and the viton seal that connects the nozzle together. Hope this helps. " I just purchased one and can share more info on how well it works once it arrives. Just wanted to let everyone know that we got this nozzle and its been working pretty well for us. The first one we received would not automatically shut off when the receiving container was full; emailed the manufacturer and they shipped us a new one, and its been working good. Nice and affordable upgrade for a small distillery like mine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michaelangelo Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 ZL-120L ? What color did you pick, what makes sense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HedgeBird Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 1 hour ago, Michaelangelo said: ZL-120L ? What color did you pick, what makes sense? Yes, the ZL-120L. We got a green one, but not sure it matters much unless you have a filling station in your distillery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nabtastic Posted April 16, 2017 Share Posted April 16, 2017 well those are certainly pricey. It would be super handy though. We fill by weight w an intrinsically safe scale by Arlyn. Gotta keep an eye towards the end though - 1# difference can mean a spill. As for food grade - I can't speak to the Huskey that's mentioned above but most nozzles have aluminum in them which doesn't play well with ethanol. There are a few out there made specifically for booze though. I imagine that's where this Huskey came from. Forklifts need to be XP in the distillery (EX for electric). I'm betting that they just want to know that you've taken safety into consideration and want to see a plan so that they can wipe their hands clean in a unfortunate event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertS Posted April 17, 2017 Author Share Posted April 17, 2017 Thank you for the update, HedgeBird. I am adding that fill head to my wishlist as we move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classick Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 just posted our setup and link to the nozzle we use in this thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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