Best methods to raise and lower grain basket?

Hi all,

Currently working on a fully-automated brew keggle rig. Completely automated via my Raspberry Pi, and subsequently though a local web application. It's coming along nicely; most of the programming-side of has been completed, so I'm just wrapping up some of the loose ends.

Just curious regarding the best way to raise and lower a grain basket into the strike water / out of the mash? What kind of levers / motors should I look into? I was also considering just dropping the 10-12 lbs of grain right into a BIAB inside of the keggle.

Cheers!

I don't know much about levers and motors...but I would use a simple ratchet pulley for lifting and draining a bag or basket full of grain.

Thanks; I figured I am going to use a winch, like this one: http://www.grizzly.com/products/Electric-Hoist-1-1-4-HP-110V/H0779

That should do the trick

wilserbrewer said:

I don't know much about levers and motors...but I would use a simple ratchet pulley for lifting and draining a bag or basket full of grain.

Click to expand...

Well, given that this is in the automation forum, how about something like this:

http://www.bimba.com/Products-and-Cad/Actuators/Inch/NFPA/Low-Profile/TC-Series-Telescoping/

Yeah, it would require a source for compressed air, but having some compressed air around can be super handy for cleaning out grain mills, etc. While there may be a few issues to work out, the upside is that no overhead structure is required. If you are brewing outdoors, this could be an interesting way to go.