Brew Stand Construction, Part 2 - Propane and Propane Accessories

Sorry to leave you hanging on the construction progress, but the propane connections proved to be the most confusing aspect of the brew stand. After purchasing and returning several parts, I finally have everything connected now, and even fired the thing up without explosion.

Here are the remaining parts I used for the propane connections and what each connects to:

• 1 piece - Bayou Classic High Pressure LPG, 30-PSI Adjustable Regulator, 48" Braided Hose, 3/8" Flare Swivel Fitting
• Hose and regulator that connects the propane tank to the brew stand
• 1 piece - 3/8" x 1/2" Brass/Gas Ball Valve: Flare x Female Thread Connection
• Regulator hose connects to this, screwed onto black nipple pipe
• 1 piece - 1/2" x 12" black pipe nipple
• Connects to tee
• 1 piece - 1/2" x 1/2" x 3/8" Black Reducing Tee

• Connects to one 3/8" Close Black Pipe Nipple and 3/8" Ball Valve
• Connects to 4" black pipe nipple
• 1 piece - 1/2" x 4" black pipe nipple
• Connects to 90-degree elbow
• 1 piece - 1/2" x 3/8" Black 90-degree Reducing Elbow
• Connects to one 3/8" Close Black Pipe Nipple and 3/8" Ball Valve
• 2 pieces - Mr. Heater 5-ft Propane Hose Assembly, 3/8" Male Pipe Thread x 3/8" Female Flare Thread
• Connect each to 3/8" ball valve
• 2 pieces - 3/8" Brass/Gas Ball Valve: Female Thread x Female Thread Connection
• 2 pieces - 3/8" Close Black Pipe Nipple
• Yellow gas tape

• Wrap tape at each connection point to ensure air-tight seal

Finding the right propane hoses was the hardest part. The Banjo burners each come with a brass orifice that screws into the air shutter plate. This orifice requires a 3/8" female flare connection from the propane hose. However, most of the hoses I could actually find in stores were for a female pipe connection - not a tight seal. After going through a slew of adapters with minor propane leaks - and learning the difference between multiple connections - I opted to just return everything and buy the hoses from Amazon. Received them quickly, hooked them up, checked for leaks, and once I confirmed that I wasn't about to touch-off an explosion, fired the stand up. FLAME ON!

Everything worked like a charm.

A few future adaptations I may make to the stand:

Depending on how often I brew out in the open - as opposed to the garage with the door open - I may attach wind guards around each burned to help prevent the flame from being blown out and to help focus the heat on the kettle.

I will probably cover the top center of the stand with some sheet metal to act as a table top for utensils.

Brew Stand Construction

A new house, a new brew stand! After weeks spent moving and settling into the new house, I finally had some time to work on my new brew stand. Based on the single-tier, weldless "Wallace" design, I spent probably about eight to twelve hours over the last week cutting and piecing it together.

Ain't she a beaut?!

The stand measures 56" long, 16" deep, and 24" high (30" high with the casters).

I picked up the majority of the materials at Menards. All parts included below:

• 5 pieces - Platted Slotted Offset Steel Angle 2-1/4" x 1-1/2" x 6 ft - 14 Gauge
• 4 pieces cut to 56" for stand length, remaining 4 16" pieces used for depth sides 
• 1 piece cut to 4 sections of 16" each (discard remainder)
• 2 pieces - Platted Slotted Steel Angle 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" x 6 ft - 14 Gauge
• Cut to 6 sections of 24" each for height
• 1 piece - Platted Slotted Steel Angle 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" x 4 ft - 14 Gauge
• Cut to 2 sections of 24 " each for height
• 4 pieces - 5" Tool Caster with Brake
• 350 lb load capacity
• Hex Bolts 5/16" x 3/4" (zinc platted)
• Hex Nuts 5/16" - 18 (zinc platted)
• Flat Washers 1/4" (zinc platted)
• 6 pieces - 3-1/2" x 3/4" Corner Braces
• For hanging burners

I cut all of the steel using a basic hacksaw and bolted everything together with a ratchet and wrench.

As for the burners, I picked up 2 Cast Iron Banjo Burners from Northern Brewer. I'm still working out how to connect both burners to a single propane tank. Ideally, I'll be able to run one line to two hoses.

I also connected a Steelhead Pump to the stand and hooked up a Shockbuster GFCI Outlet Adapter. Probably a good idea to stop lifting several pounds of boiling hot wort.

The size of the stand should allow plenty of room to expand to a third burner and larger brew kettles should the time come when the time comes. In the meantime, the ability to simultaneously direct fire my mash tun and sparge water is a giant leap forward for Kraemer Brew-kind.

Can't wait to fire this baby up!

More photos below: