Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

I've seen that same thing happen before in the past. I'll upload a few pictures of the system we use at work when I get home, would fix your problem completely. Basically it's a frame that has four free spinning wheels like you'd use on a sacktruck that the drum lays/spins on and then a belt goes around the drum & a pulley on an electric motor. Think it's a 0.75hp motor one the one at work but it is overkill for the needs, especially when you gear it down to malting speeds with the different pulley size.

Hang in there Bluc, things look fantastic this is just a little finesse at the end that is needed mate

I am about to lash out and spend 150:00 on a 2 bags of malt so it will be worth it in the end

Heres what we use for spinning about 70kg at a time. Would need small changes to make it work for malt (either add a gearbox like a 20:1 or similar or a smaller pulley to slow down the turning speed).





Depending on how much you wanted to spend on it I'd get a larger AC 1400rpm single pole motor with a reduction gearbox (may be up to $500) and add a pulley to it with the belt drive to spin the drum... should work perfectly for what you need and doesn't cost much (besides the motor & gearbox) if you can weld up the frame yourself.

Give an idea of volume, full bag dry(20kg)


After steepping third way through sprouting phase.

Fairly majpr expansion volume and weight .

Still plenty of room there, you should be able to fit atleast another 50kg :teasing-neener: ... soon you'll need a bigger mashing setup!

Does the belt just grip the drum? Thought that would be hell to keep the belt on track..

bluc wrote:Does the belt just grip the drum? Thought that would be hell to keep the belt on track..

Pretty much. The motor in on a hinged mount with extra weight to help tension it & the pulley is located centrally in relation to the barrel so as long as the tyres have equal pressure, as the barrel turns it spreads the contents evenly along the bottom of the barrel and keeps everything even/the belt central. Surprisingly doesn't move at all one in equilibrium. If you were worried about it you could always add some guides to keep it central but it isn't really needed.

Thanks is it a serpintine belt?
I think you right about fitting anpther bag in there :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I'll have to double check but I don't think it is a serpentine belt. If I remember correctly it's a V-belt but I don't see why a serpentine belt wouldn't work. As far as I can tell the only reason for it being a V-belt is to match the pulley on the motor/gearbox.

Was only thinking serpentine for surface area on drum..

20kg drying in kiln. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Thinking a cement mixer might be better for turning grain :think:

We might have to wait until Aldi have them on special again.

Thanks for sharing all that info Bluc, you have puts heaps of time into this project and great that you share the results so freely for all interested

There is always ozito at bunnings :D

Malting is one thing malting enough for regular runs is another....not too bad if bulk is adjunct(bourbon) but hard to keep up if doing scotch..

Already googled that lol, now for drying I am thinking brew in a bag sack with 3 or 4 kgs in a tumble drier on lowest heat setting for an hour at a time might be a start.

Yea quit a few do just that welsy :handgestures-thumbupleft:
I like my stock pot air fryer for dryer does a good job.
To give an idea of final volume my 100l stock pot has a false bottom about 2" off bottom. With 20kg wet malt I end up have to make a well in top of grain so it does not touch element. I sit with it for first 5hrs until there is a good 2" gap to element. Then let it do its thing checking every half hour. At this point is only running at 45c controlled by a stc100. Once it is crispy, 24ish hours(i dont leave it unatended overnight) I ramp up to 95c for 3hrs. This makes an ale malt. My pot has a large blower on it to. One them clam shell forge blowers.

Once I get everything in the process working as I want I will be more accurate with spec of each malt types. Moisture % and sprout time/temps .

Worth the effort for the savings I think..

Toasting the fresh malt to ale spec. Shed smells awesome smells similar to bread cooking :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Thanks Bluc

I am not so handy so like simple options. I used the over to dry the first couple of batches I did, left the door slightly open and the over barely on but the process was exceptionally slow and spread over 2 or 3 days.

I did not take any weight gain measurements to get absorbson and retention rates for the water,it was more about process and how much. I am just using feed barley as well but this would be a great way to convert the corn startches if not using angel. I am still to try that again after the last 200 litre failed due to not letting it settle enough.

At $52:00 for 25 kg of ale malt, plus delivery verses $10 for feed barley, ( I bought 250kg direct from the feed mill ) I still got heaps to experiment with once things warm up a little down here.