Blichmann Top Tier Brew Stand

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ben Lipman on December 26, 2011 at 11:19am

I believe Schollmeyer has one

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kevin Morriss on December 28, 2011 at 5:12pm

If the red dragon has a detailed build plan and parts list, it will probably be marginally cheaper.  To get the blichmann system up and running, with a burner and chilling system (not including pots and plumbing), you're looking at least $950, not including tax.  You can deduct $100 from that amount if you use something other than the therminator.  Just so you know, BYOB does not offer ASH discounts on blichmann equipment.

Just eyeballing the red dragon, material and welding for the stand alone will be in the neighborhood of $500. The better the plans, the cheaper the build cost. If you know a welder or someone with welding skills and a mig welder (there are a few in the club) willing to help you out, you can shave off at least half of that $500. You can get three quality burners for the cost of one blichmann burner.  A counterflow chiller will run you $50-$100 and a couple hours on the weekend.  That March pump is about $140.  Odds and ends + $100 or so. Total: in the neighborhood of $900, unless you get a  break on welding.  This system will have a little more functionality of a the base blichamann system because it will have three burners and a pump.

FWIW, I think blichmann makes some quality components and they are easy to use with the stand.  I actually own the stand and the burners but I kind of took it apart and built my own thing out of the parts.  If the cost difference is somewhere around $250 or less, I would personally pay the extra for the blichmann stuff because it's quality and backed up with warranties.  Plus, you don't have to wait on the build.

I've put together a top tier stand.  It's pretty basic.

• ▶ Reply

2012 BoardPermalink Reply by Jerry van West on December 28, 2011 at 6:05pm

I think I came to that conclusion. I just went ahead and ordered the top-tier system from What Ales Ya. 

Kevin Morriss said:

If the red dragon has a detailed build plan and parts list, it will probably be marginally cheaper.  To get the blichmann system up and running, with a burner and chilling system (not including pots and plumbing), you're looking at least $950, not including tax.  You can deduct $100 from that amount if you use something other than the therminator.  Just so you know, BYOB does not offer ASH discounts on blichmann equipment.

Just eyeballing the red dragon, material and welding for the stand alone will be in the neighborhood of $500. The better the plans, the cheaper the build cost. If you know a welder or someone with welding skills and a mig welder (there are a few in the club) willing to help you out, you can shave off at least half of that $500. You can get three quality burners for the cost of one blichmann burner.  A counterflow chiller will run you $50-$100 and a couple hours on the weekend.  That March pump is about $140.  Odds and ends + $100 or so. Total: in the neighborhood of $900, unless you get a  break on welding.  This system will have a little more functionality of a the base blichamann system because it will have three burners and a pump.

FWIW, I think blichmann makes some quality components and they are easy to use with the stand.  I actually own the stand and the burners but I kind of took it apart and built my own thing out of the parts.  If the cost difference is somewhere around $250 or less, I would personally pay the extra for the blichmann stuff because it's quality and backed up with warranties.  Plus, you don't have to wait on the build.

I've put together a top tier stand.  It's pretty basic.

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion